Overcoming the Challenges of Living in a Food Desert During Summer

Published June 16, 2025 By Moderator

As summer arrives, many across the country look forward to fresh strawberries, juicy tomatoes, and crisp green beans at the local farmers market or grocery store. But for many Native American communities, access to fresh fruits and vegetables remains a challenge, a harsh reality that is rooted in generations of systemic inequity.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUMMER HARVEST IN NATIVE CULTURE

In Indigenous cultures, summer has always been a sacred time of abundance. Traditional foods like squash, corn, and beans — often called the “Three Sisters” — are not only dietary staples but also cultural cornerstones that represent balance, community, and reciprocity with the land. Wild berries, chokecherries, sunflowers, and herbs once thrived across Native landscapes and still hold deep spiritual and medicinal meaning in Native American culture.

Reconnecting with these ancestral foods isn’t just about nutrition — it’s about reclaiming identity and sovereignty. For many Native families, planting heritage seeds or harvesting wild foods connects them to generations past and carries wisdom that can’t be found on a store shelf.

LIVING IN A FOOD DESERT

Unfortunately, accessing even the most basic fruits and vegetables is not guaranteed in many Native communities. Food deserts — areas where affordable, nutritious food is difficult to obtain — are far too common in Indian Country. Some families travel hours to reach a full-service grocery store. Others rely on gas stations or convenience stores that carry mostly processed, packaged goods with little to no fresh produce. In June 2023, 80% of network food banks reported seeing an increase in demand for emergency food services.

These challenges aren’t just inconvenient — they’re a matter of life and health. Diet-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity disproportionately affect Native populations. The lack of access to fresh, culturally appropriate foods contributes to these alarming health disparities.

WE’RE WORKING ON FINDING THE SOLUTION

Despite these barriers, PWNA and its programs address various food needs throughout the year. In 2024, with the support of donors like Olo for Good and the Tides Foundation, Kroger, General Motors Corporate Giving, PepsiCo foundations and many more, PWNA supported two community gardens and distributed more than 493,000 pounds of food to nearly 60,000 people across the Northern Plains and Southwest.

PWNA’s programs, like the Southwest Indian Relief Council® (SWIRC), play a major role in providing fresh produce to families on the reservations as well. Phoebe and her husband Troy were among the 230 White Mountain Apache families that received fresh produce in 2024. They both expressed deep gratitude for the support, highlighting the significance it holds for many without income. Echoing the sentiments of her late grandmother, who often faced similar challenges, Phoebe acknowledged the critical nature of this aid and planned to transform it into a potluck and opportunity for family bonding.

To learn more about how you can help, visit the Food and Water section of our website today at https://nativepartnership.org/food-and-water/ where you can make a donation or find volunteer opportunities.

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