Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updates and Resources for Indian Country
COVID-19 Resource Library
Our team at the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative is working to provide up-to-date educational resources relating to COVID-19 for Indian Country. Please check back with this resource, as we will keep information updated as it becomes available.
Last Updated: September 23, 2020, 2:30 p.m. CDT
Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers
This guide was created to as a resource to navigate the challenging circumstances sparked by COVID-19. Assistance from federal and state programs can make a difference for farmers in this crisis. Download the resource for an outline of current relief programs related to COVID-19 and how they apply to farmers.
Native Farm Bill Coalition COVID-19 crisis Response:
Food & Ag Policy Solutions for Tribes and Tribal Producers
Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance
To help Tribal governments and their legal counsels regarding the use of Coronavirus Relief Funding, a new educational resource with additional information and examples based on guidance and interpretations released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) is available for download.
Native Farm Bill Coalition Webinar: CARES Act 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes $8 billion stabilization fund set-aside for Tribes in response to COVID-19, as well as $100 million in funding for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR):
- $50 million for food purchases
- $50 million for facility improvement and equipment upgrades
Additional nutrition funding includes $20 million for the Older Americans Act and Tribal Nutrition Program that provide funds for delivery of nutrition services to elders.
The Native Farm Bill Coalition and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative provided an update on Wednesday, April 1 about what that means for food and nutrition provisions implementation in Indian Country in response to COVID-19.
Additional Resources:
- Stakeholder Recommendations for the USDA’s Rapid Disbursement of COVID-19 Relief Funding and Resources to Tribal Nations under H.R. 748 – the CARES Act
- OMB Memorandum: Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations (M-20-17)
- OMB Memorandum: Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (M-20-11)
Contact our IFAI team with additional responses or questions.
Meal Service In Indian Country
To better direct families in Indian Country to specific resources serving Tribal communities, IFAI has begun compiling the a list that will be continue to be updated with Bureau of Indian Education school meal sites, individual Tribal Nation efforts to assist with meal service, and state school district meal options in counties with an AI/AN population of over 1%. These resources will continue to be updated as the situation with the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to change. Updated as of 3/20/20
Food Access in Response to COVID-19
As Tribal nations, communities, and the remaining country respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced resources and program flexibilities supporting continued food access. These opportunities are available for reference here and may be updated as additional information becomes available. Updated as of 3/20/20
School Meals In Response to COVID-19
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
School Meal Distribution In Practice
Where school districts have closed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), schools across the country are developing innovative strategies to ensure Native youth and other students have readily accessible meals. Best practices and opportunities shared by these districts may be helpful for other schools looking to provide consistency in school breakfast and lunches. This resource showcases some of these considerations for reference. The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative has released and will continue to update its information on new regulatory flexibilities as they become available. Updated as of 3/20/20
Resource Library
- USDA COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- FNS Program Guidance on Human Pandemic Response
- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Response to COVID-19 and its Impacts on the Farm and Food System
- USDA Rural Development Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Serivce – Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) FAQs Related to COVID-19 Impact on Fruit and Vegetable Industry
Resources from No Kid Hungry
- No Kid Hungry Comparison of Usual Child Nutrition Program Provisions vs. Current Flexibilities Permitted in Response the Coronavirus
- No Kid Hungry Summary of Current COVID-19 Child Nutrition Program Response Nationwide Waivers
Food Safety
- Tribal Leader Town Hall on COVID-19 (NAFOA, NCAI, NIHB, and Congressman Tom Cole)
- Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI)
- National Council on Urban Indian Health
- National Indian Health Board
- Indian Health Service
- NAFOA COVID-19 Legislative Update
- National Congress of American Indians
- United Southern and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) and USET Sovereignty Protection Fund, Inc. (USET SPF)
- Native Americans in Philanthropy
News and Media Updates
The University of Arkansas continues to work closely with public health officials at all levels to respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness, and in some cases, become life-threatening.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization
- National Institutes of Health
- Johns Hopkins University and Medicine
- University of Florida IFAS Extension COVID-19 Preventative Measures Series
- Department of Health and Human Services announces upcoming action to provide funding to tribes for COVID-19 Response
The Center for Native American Youth is looking to hear from Native Youth about how they are supporting tribal communities during COVID-19. Share your story here.