As the holiday season approaches, Wheatsville Co-op is participating in a campaign that extends beyond typical holiday preparations. This year, National Co-op Grocers (NCG) has partnered with North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS) to promote Indigenous food sovereignty. During NCG’s November promotion, a portion of proceeds from every Field Day product sold will support this initiative.
Wheatsville is hosting a contest as part of this campaign, offering a shopping cart filled with Field Day products. Participants can enter by guessing the total cost of the items in the basket at the South Lamar location. The contest concludes on December 3rd, with a winner announced on December 4th.
NĀTIFS was founded by chef Sean Sherman, known as The Sioux Chef. The organization aims to revive Native foodways to enhance health, sustainability, and economic empowerment within Native communities. NĀTIFS operates the Indigenous Food Lab in Minneapolis, which provides cooking classes, research programs, and supports Indigenous culinary businesses.
The Field Day campaign aims to generate an estimated $100,000 for NĀTIFS by donating $0.05 from each product sold. This funding will help expand Indigenous food access and education and support establishing more Indigenous Food Labs across various regions.
Thanksgiving presents challenges for Indigenous communities due to its historical context. Through this partnership with NĀTIFS, NCG seeks to honor Indigenous strength and celebrate Native food traditions rather than perpetuate harmful narratives.
Customers visiting Wheatsville in November are encouraged to purchase Field Day products knowing their contributions support Indigenous food sovereignty. Beyond purchases, it’s an opportunity to learn about NĀTIFS and incorporate Native foodways into personal cooking practices.
This initiative underscores that food is not just sustenance but also a cultural bridge and source of community strength. Partnerships like these aim to respect and uplift Indigenous history and future endeavors.
