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, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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.