Summary:

• Check out our new section, General Policy Updates, section below! Read about the new FDIPR Food Package Review Group and recent updates on the Farm Bill. 

• The Senate and the House of Representatives are out of session, and no Congressional hearings related to Tribal food and agriculture are scheduled this week. A partial government shutdown began Saturday as lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). USDA, FDA, and the Department of Interior were funded through Sept. 30, 2026 through other legislation and remain open. However, disagreements over funding DHS will likely pull focus away agriculture policy priorities, including the Farm Bill. 

• There are two Federal Register notices to highlight this week: (1) a proposed rule on subsistence taking of fish and shellfish regulations in Alaska; (2) an extension of public comments deadline regarding the program review of Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska 

• IFAI’s Executive Director, Carly Griffith Hotvedt, will be one of the panelists discussing the rapidly growing interest in Tribal Departments of Agriculture on Thursday, Feb. 19. The panel will be broadcast on the Native American Agriculture Fund’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube channels. Register HERE to attend. 

• Find out about IFAI’s recent collaboration with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) on the Tribal Food Sovereignty Innovation Lab. This is an important resource at a time when more Tribal Nations are seeking pathways toward food independence.  

• IFAI is hiring a Communications Manager! Submit your applications by Feb. 24, 2026. 

Outreach Calendar

General Policy Updates:

FDIPR Food Package Review Work Group

• On February 10, 2026, the FDPIR Food Package Review Work Group met to discuss current trends, improvements, and data. This group includes representatives from the National Association of Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (NAFDPIR), USDA officials, and FDPIR stakeholders. The data suggest that current take rates for new food items are favorable, meaning that FDPIR households are generally gravitating towards these new items when they select foods each month. However, some popular items are becoming difficult to acquire; walleye is being removed from food packages, and there may be strain on future pasta availability.  

• The work group also discussed the newly updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Currently, it is unclear how these will impact the food package. The discussion noted that they may have little to no impact, as FDPIR is already a highly nutritious program with a Healty Eating Index of 84, significantly above the average U.S. diet’s score of 59. USDA recognized that as there is no definition of highly processed food at the moment; it is hard to say whether items in the package will have to be removed due to that designation. The Healthy Eating Index score will have to be adjusted to the current guidelines, but USDA does not anticipate a significant change in score. 

Farm Bill Update

• The House Agriculture majority released Farm Bill language on Feb. 13, 2026, with a markup taking place on Feb. 23, 2026. IFAI is working on an analysis and will release it soon. 

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings: 

Congressional Updates: 

Looking Back:

Hearing: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. 

Topic: Economic Self-Determination in Action: Examining the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) Program 

Highlights:  This hearing examined the Native 8(a) program’s role in supporting economic self‑determination for Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations (ANC), and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHO), while addressing recent misconceptions and scrutiny—including allegations that the program is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative or vulnerable to fraud. Lawmakers and witnesses emphasized the program’s constitutional and statutory foundations and highlighted the significant community investments and federal mission benefits generated by Native 8(a) entities. 

Read More HERE 

Looking Ahead:

There are no hearings relevant to Indian Country food or agriculture this week. 

Nominations:

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC); Call for Nominations 

Description: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations for membership on the FRRCC, which provides policy, advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator. Advice and recommendations given by FRRCC members are of concern to farms, ranches, and rural communities. Further information about the FRRCC can be found HERE. 

Deadline: March 2, 2026. 

Nominations for the National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program 

Description: The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking nominations for individuals to represent subsistence users on the following Subsistence Resource Commissions (SRC): the Aniakchak National Monument SRC, the Cape Krusenstern National Monument SRC, the Denali National Park SRC, the Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC, the Kobuk Valley National Park SRC, the Lake Clark National Park SRC, and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC. The SRCs hold meetings to develop NPS subsistence program recommendations and advise on related regulatory proposals and resource management issues. For example, advise on the subsistence of hunting programs, determine seasons and harvest limits, deal with proposed development in and adjacent to the park, and other like activities. 

Deadline: Nominations must be postmarked by March 9, 2026.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultive Committee 

Description: The purpose of this body is to ensure that the interests of U.S. stakeholders are considered in the development of positions and policy relative to U.S. participation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). 

Deadline: Nominations will be accepted at any time.

Regulatory/Rule Making Actions:

Title: Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska – 2027-28 and 2028-29 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish Regulations 

• This proposed rule would update regulations for fish and shellfish seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during 2027-28 and 2028-29 regulatory years.  

• Public meetings will be held to discuss the proposed rule in spring (Feb. 17 – April 1) and fall (Sept. 24 – Oct. 29).  

• Public comments and proposals to amend this proposed rule must be submitted by April 3, 2026. 

Read More HERE 

Title: Program Review – Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska 

• USDA’s Forest Service and the Office of the Secretary of Interior are extending the public comment period for the review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program (FSMP).  

• Both departments are conducting a targeted review of the FSMP to ensure it meets the needs of Alaska residents. The notice 90 FR 57941 was initially published on Dec. 15, 2025. 

• The new deadline for comments is now March 30, 2026. 

Read More HERE 

Title: Summer Food Service Program; 2026 Reimbursement Rates 

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service announces the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals in the Summer Food Service Program.  

• On average, the 2026 rates adjustments are 3.75 higher than the rates from 2025. 

Read More HERE 

Title: Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Meetings for 2026 

• Each of the 10 Councils meet twice a year to provide advice and recommendations to the Federal Subsistence Board about subsistence hunting and fishing issues on Federal public lands in Alaska. 

• The 2026 winter meetings are scheduled between Feb. 17 and April 1, 2026; the 2026 fall meetings are scheduled between Sept. 24 and Oct. 29, 2026.  

• To determine whether meetings will be held virtually or in person visit this LINK  

Read More HERE

Title: Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs 

• This notice publishes the current list of 575 Tribal entities recognized by and eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) by virtue of their status as Indian Tribes. 

• This is an updated list from the notice published on Dec. 11, 2024.  

Read More HERE