Food Security Programs
Food insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food to meet basic health and living needs. On the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) Reservation, one of the largest land-based reservations in the U.S. and nearly the size of Connecticut, food insecurity is a daily challenge for many families.
With limited low access and low income, CRST is considered a food desert by USDA census. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in every two Native American children born after the year 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.
This alarming trend is rooted in a long history of food oppression, including the forced removal of traditional food sources such as buffalo, the introduction of government-issued rations, and the reliance on commodity foods and food stamps. As a result, our communities have experienced a transition from starving and malnourished to malnourished and obese. The Keya Foundation is committed to breaking this cycle through community-driven programs like the Community Nutrition Assessment, Produce Prescription Program and the Eating Like Our Ancestors project.
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Community Nutrition Assessment
The Keya Foundation is conducting a Community Nutrition Assessment to better understand food access, nutrition, and health needs in our communities. Your input will help guide future programs, resources, and partnerships.
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The assessment ends in September 2026. Call us today at 605-218-1884 to participate and share your voice!
Produce Prescription Program
The Produce Prescription Program addresses food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease by increasing access to healthy foods. Eligible households receive nutrition education and $100 in vouchers each month for fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables for 12 months.
Since launching in December 2023, the program has enrolled 140 households on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Enrollment is now closed, and the program continues through September 2026 with the goal of improving food security and long-term health outcomes. The project is funded and supported by USDA NIFA and the GusNIP NTAE Center.
Eating Like Our Ancestors Project
The Eating Like Our Ancestors project reconnects our community with traditional Lakota foods, food systems, and teachings. Working with 12 Cheyenne River elders, youth, and community members, we developed the Uncí Kitchen Toolkit, featuring traditional recipes, stories, cultural teachings, and youth artwork.
The project was completed in April 2025, and toolkits remain available in print at our office and digitally for Cheyenne River residents. The project was supported by the Strong Heart Study and StrongHeart Tribal Approach to Research (STAR).
