Largest Subsistence federal partnership contract benefits Indian Tribal Organizations

The Defense Logistics Agency Subsistence supply chain awarded the largest contract to support a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the conclusion of fiscal year 2023.

The $950 million contract includes $1.5 million to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and shelled eggs to Southern California Indian Tribal Organizations through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh program.

"While a small portion of total sales, it allows DoD Fresh to achieve price efficiencies especially in the more rural regions of the reservation customers," said Subsistence Branch Chief Michael Szklarski. "Deliveries are set to start in December."

According to the USDA website, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations provides nutritious, USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations and to income-eligible Native American households residing in approved areas near reservations or service areas in Oklahoma.

Participants receiving these food packages may have limited alternatives due to their remote location and/or mobility challenges.  

"The recipients are very appreciative when their food arrives", said Kathy Staley, chief, USDA Food Distribution Program Integrity & Monitoring branch. "More importantly when it comes to the fresh eggs, many tribal locations within Southern California and other regions are remote areas. The closest grocery store could be 100 miles away. The FDPIR allows ITO's to acquire healthy, US grown products."

The program has a dual mission, said Staley, to nourish people in need and support American agriculture with 100 percent of the fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs grown in the United States.

The Subsistence supply chain has worked consistently to build the partnership with USDA in support of this population.

 "The Subsistence Produce and Market Fresh Division has traveled extensively over the past 2 years to build foundational relationships with the ITO organizations," said Szklarski. "Visiting reservations, developing relationships, and understanding their community has had a significant positive impact to their trust with the government.  DLA continues to find opportunities to expand with the USDA program and provide high quality foods to the Indian Tribal Organizations."

"The steadfast commitment to this partnership has contributed to the USDA DoD Fresh program to become the second largest Whole of Government initiative for the DoD, Szklarski said. The hope is that the program will expand to assist more organizations."

"DLA Troop Support delivers to 130 ITO locations via 23 direct vendor delivery contracts, of which 95% are small businesses," said Szklarski. "Over 45,000 reservation households receive product. Since [the beginning of the COVID pandemic], there have been fluctuations with the individual participation rates, but the overall ITO locations continue to increase.  It is expected that the program will continue to grow as more ITO's join the program."