USDA Food Distribution

USDA Foods are distributed through a Store-Model concept that includes non-perishable food, meats and fresh and frozen produce to income eligible participants. Applicants can be anyone who resides within the historical reservation area or a citizen of a federally recognized tribe who resides in the 27 county service area.

Each month, participating households receive a nutritionally balanced food package. Participants may select from over 90 products including:

Fruits, vegetables, and legumes in fresh, frozen, juiced, canned, or dried varieties.

Protein foods, including beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs, and bison products, as well as dried or canned beans and soups, peanuts, and peanut butter.

Grains, including pastas, cereals, rice, cornmeal, and flour.

Dairy, including cheese and milk.

Cooking essentials, including vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, and butter.

Seasonal foods, including pumpkin, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes.

Traditional foods such as Walleye, Wild Rice, Bison (burger, stew meat), Salmon, Catfish, and Blue cornmeal.

 

Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. Households may not participate in FDPIR and SNAP (Bridge Card) in the same month. Households are certified based on income standards set by the federal government and must be re-certified at least every 12 months. Elderly and disabled households may be certified for up to 24 months.

 

A complete application should be submitted for final eligibility determination. The following are guidelines by which determination of eligibility is made. Expedited services are available.

 

 

INCOME GUIDELINES – Effective October 30, 2024 to September 30, 2025

 

FDP Online Application

 

 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

 

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

 

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online

at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

  1. mail:
     Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

 

                     “This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”

 

 

If you think you may be eligible under these new guidelines, please contact the LTBB Department of Human Services at 231-242-1620 for more information.  Applications and other information about this program can be found on the LTBB website in the Forms Directory along with the income guidelines that have also slightly increased and were effective October 1, 2022.