Local food system study for the Blackfeet Nation
NACDC Financial Services
NACDC Financial Services is a Native community financial development financial institution (CDFI) on the Blackfeet Reservation serving all tribal members in the state of Montana. Its mission is to remove the barriers that exist in Indian Country that prohibit the flow of capital and credit. Through education and lending services, NACDC addresses critical needs in Native communities and promotes sustainable economic development.
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To gain a deeper understanding of the current Blackfeet local food system and identify potential areas for strengthening it, we collaborated with NACDC to conduct a local food systems study. This study aimed to provide valuable insights into the community's experience with the current system, assess its strengths and challenges, and explore strategic opportunities for enhancing its effectiveness and sustainability.
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Conduct collective market analysis and community outreach through a variety of methods, including food producer stakeholder discussions, community-wide surveys, and case studies.
Identify assets and needs for a local foods market and gauge stakeholder demand and community desires.
Assess the viability of existing infrastructure and determine needs for improvement.
Identify current Blackfeet health and food programs supportive to a local foods market.
Identify potential alternatives for addressing food inequities on the reservation.
Draft business plan for new market opportunities.
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NACDC used the results from this study to launch a community food initiative, bringing together local food groups to collaborate and strengthen food sovereignty.
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Feb 2024–Jan 2025
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Jackie Carter — Literature review, data collection and analysis, and report writing
Michael Brydge — Project supervisor
Jodi Wolfe — Graphic and layout design, creative direction, and data visualization
Max Van Oostenburg — Secondary data review
“The personal interaction with community members is what I like most about working with Sweet Grass . . . there's no company that I would rely on more for research, surveys and assessments.” —Angie Main, NACDC Financial Services
