U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act. This bipartisan legislation will ensure the federal government does not make decisions about the nutrition assistance programs Tribes rely on without their input.
In 2024, a contracting decision made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) left many Tribes — including the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska — with delayed, incomplete, and expired food deliveries. This resulted in significant food shortages for several months.
The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act would prevent future food shortages by requiring the USDA to incorporate Tribal input in contracting decisions. It would also strengthen the USDA’s emergency response during disruptions and encourage meaningful Tribal consultation on nutrition programs at the state level.
“I’m pleased to introduce this bill to ensure that those who rely on food assistance programs in Tribal communities — including the elderly and low-income — are not impacted by federal government missteps. The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act ensures that Tribal voices are at the table from the start and strengthens USDA’s response if disruptions occur,” Fischer said.
“Tribal governments understand what works best for their communities, and they should have control over how they feed their members. Our bill makes an important fix that allows Tribes to get food assistance to those who need it most and provides the tools to prevent any future disruptions in the food supply chain,” Smith said.
“Last year’s FDPIR supply chain disruptions had a profound impact on something most of us take for granted — the ability to put food on the dinner table. The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2025 would help ensure food security for FDPIR participants during supply chain disruptions. The Winnebago Tribe appreciates Senator Fischer’s leadership in addressing this issue and we look forward to working together to advance the legislation,” said Winnebago Chairman Coly Brown.
“The Native Farm Bill Coalition commends Senator Fisher and Senator Smith for introducing the Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act. As we have witnessed in recent years, FDPIR warehouse disruptions have devastating and lasting impacts in Indian Country, where one in four Tribal citizens experience food insecurity, but this bill is an important step to ensure USDA has the authority it needs to utilize federal resources to resolve disruptions to the Food Disruption Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and provide immediate relief, including payments to Tribes to purchase food when USDA cannot due to government shutdowns, warehouse vendors, or other supply chain disruptions,” said Native Farm Bill Coalition co-chairs Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Cole Miller and CEO of the Intertribal Agriculture Council Kari Jo Lawrence.
The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act would:
Require USDA to include Tribal representatives in reviewing and awarding contracts under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
FDPIR provides income-eligible households with food on Indian reservations. Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to SNAP.
Direct USDA to designate an emergency contractor within 45 days of any supply chain disruption under FDPIR or Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
CSFP is targeted at low-income elderly persons 60 years or older and distributes both food and administrative funds to participating states and Tribes.
Allow USDA to provide direct payments to Tribes to purchase food themselves during an FDPIR disruption.
Encourage states to conduct Tribal consultation before amending CSFP State Plans.
Direct USDA to support this work through cooperative agreements or technical assistance.