Feast or famine? Supplemental food programs and their impacts on two American Indian communities in California

This article examines the use of supplemental food programs by two Native A merican populations and assesses some of the health and cultural impacts of these programs. A cross-sectional survey of XO American Indian families, 4 0 families residing on the Round Valley Indian Reservation and 40 in Sacram ento, California was conducted to determine access, use and appropriateness of supplemental feeding programs. Respondents at both the rural and urban geographic location showed considerable familiarity with available suppleme ntal feeding programs. USDA Food Commodities were utilized most at Round Va lley, raising the concern that provided staples which were highly processed and contained significant amounts of sodium, sucrose, and fat, could contr ibute to the problems of obesity and diabetes. Native Americans in Sacramen to used food banks and food closets as their primary source of supplemental foods, and some expressed concern that the foods provided were highly swee tened and high in fat. While some nutrition advising was available at both geographical localities, access was inadequate. The study found that the fo ods provided by the supplemental food programs varied considerably in their nutritional quality and healthier foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats were either completely lacking or in short supply. In addition, c ulturally sensitive nutritional counseling and the development of education modules to instruct program recipients in the preparation of healthy meals and how to manage obesity and diabetes were needed and requested within th e California Native American communities surveyed.