eat. drink. MISSISSIPPI - August/September 2022

Choctaw Fresh Produce: Nourishing Those Who Need It Most

BY SUSAN MARQUEZ In a state where food deserts, diabetes and obesity are program for those with low income to get more nutritious prevalent, a group of people is working to turn those problems food to at-risk groups. Grown on a three-acre organic farm on and more around in a positive and healthy way. Choctaw reservation land, Choctaw Fresh puts more nutritious food in Fresh Produce was designed to improve the community in areas where it has not always been accessible. a self-sustaining way. The program has proven to be a major It started with a phone call John received from the food component of both improved health and economic security for and beverage manager of their casino. “He had food shipped the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

As one of the United States’ original first nations, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized American Indian Tribe in Mississippi, with close to 11,000 members. Recognizing that the best way to thrive and remain selfsufficient is to succeed economically, Choctaw Fresh Produce checks all the boxes.

The farm is based in Choctaw, Mississippi: an area that provides ideal weather for longer growing seasons and greater yields, allowing the organization to specialize in direct store delivery throughout Central Mississippi to a broad variety of organic-focused food buyers. From grocers to casinos, schools and restaurants, Choctaw Fresh Produce provides fresh, organic produce nearly year-round due to the use of high tunnel greenhouses. In the high tunnels, vegetables grown exceed production in less space. The use of technology, including fans, automatic shutters, pre-wired thermostats and vented heaters assure growing success by controlling temperature, keeping out disease and saving water.

John Hendrix serves as the Director of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Since the growing operation started, he has gone from being a backyard gardener to a serious proponent of large-scale organic gardening. “I’ve seen what access to fresh produce can do for a community,” he says. “We don’t have statistics, but our hopeful outcome is a healthier population.”

The tribe offers produce boxes to those with diabetes, the elderly and a food John Hendrix, Director of Economic Development, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians 34 • August/September 2022