Farm to ECE: Tribal Traditional Foods and Foodways

Farm to ECE in Tribal programs can be used to introduce the traditional foods, foodways, culture and language of the Tribe. Although farm to ECE is relatively new, this practice of embracing Indigenous knowledge and values in harmony with Native lifeways has existed for generations and has proven positive results on health, education and hunger.

Hands-On Activities and Curricula

• Qaqamiiĝux̂ Traditional Preschool Curriculum Series of culturally-relevant lessons and activities specific to the foods in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands region of Alaska
• Cedar Box Toolkit This Toolkit is an educational resource featuring important native foods in Salish Country and the rich cultural traditions that relate to them. The toolkit includes teaching cards on 13 native foods and a curriculum that includes Salish food descriptions, recipes, stories, and activities. Find videos about the 13 foods and food traditions that feature native storytellers here. 
• Tend, Gather, Grow Teaching Toolkit A K–12 curriculum on Indigenous plants and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest, with a teaching guide and native wild plant guides.
• Tribal and Traditional Foods Videos Links Videos from around the Pacific Northwest about the history, benefits, and harvesting of traditional foods.
• Harvest of the Moon A cultural adaptation of the Harvest of the Month for the Menominee Tribe. The Harvest of the Moon was created to strengthen connections to food through the integration of Menominee language, Moons, art, and Indigenous recipes. Includes a poster for each month with the food, the Menominee and English name, and the Menominee moon that correlates with the month; traditional recipes; learning activities; Menominee teachings around each food; harvest and storage information; tips to adapt activities to virtual learning and coloring sheets.
• Since Time Immemorial Early Learning Curriculum A curriculum designed by Native Early Learning educators for all early learners in Washington State. Consists of three lessons related to tribal sovereignty, local tribal history, and contemporary issues as related to Tribes of Washington State.
• Oregon Department of Education Cultural Toolkit Find recipes, classroom and garden activities, posters and videos to help children learn about Indigenous cultures.
• Since Time Immemorial Book List Includes nature-based books focusing on the plants and animals indigenous to the land.
• Traditional Foods Book List This list of books highlights stories that educate young children on Tribal foods, place, and tradition.
• Eagle Books series of four books, following Rain That Dances and his friends as they learn about traditional ways of being healthy from a wise eagle and his animal friends. Download the books and the coloring pages, or order a copy, all for free.
• How to Plant a Three Sisters Garden Guide from The First Nations Development Institute on how to plant the Three Sisters of Native American agriculture including harvest, sotrage, and maintenance.
• Making it Work Implementing Cultural Learning Experiences in American Indian and Alaska Native Early Learning Settings for Children Ages Birth to 5.

Cooking and Traditional Food Procurement

• Alaska’s Tundra-to-Table Cooking Series is designed to celebrate the benefits of wild, Alaskan superfoods. The series demonstrates how to make simple, healthy dishes using ingredients that are readily available in villages, both from the tundra and the store.
• Native Farm to School Kitchen and Meal Planning Guide from The First Nations Development Institute including traditional food substitutions and tips for working with families and the community.
• Native Infusion lessons and tools to transition off of soda with native tea, fruit infusions and smoothies. Includes a poster, recipes and tea guide. 
• Indigenous Home Cooking: Menus Inspired by the Ancestors Developed by a Native chef and a Native nutritionist for Pacific Northwest tribal communities and health organizations. Hard copies also available for purchase. 
• Feeding 7 Generations: A Salish Cookbook This cookbook gathers culinary traditions surrounding 15 native foods of the Salish Sea region and offers them to readers of all experience levels in an accessible blend of information and recipes.
• APIA Qaqamiigux film series and digital stories These videos explore how to harvest and prepare traditional foods from the Aleutian and Pribilof Island.
• Indigenous Foods in Early Care and Education National Farm to School Network’s webinar, including indigenous foods in CACFP.
• Community Food Systems in Native Communities Webinar on incorporating traditional foods into child nutrition programs.
• Tribal and Traditional Food Sources List of Native food vendors.

Farm to ECE in Tribal Communities

• Native Farm to School Resource Guide This guide is a comprehensive manual for planning and implementing farm-to-school programs in Native American communities.
• Native Farm to School Program Planner The Native Farm to School Program Planner provides a flexible visual framework to create a thriving food sovereignty-focused Native Farm to School Program. Consider planning individually or as a group with traditional knowledge, community, land stewardship, language, traditional foods, and traditional foodways in mind.
• Indigenous Farm to School Programs – A Guide for Creating a Farm to School Program in an Indigenous Community this resource guide supports a community needs assessment and the launching and sustaining of a Farm to School program in Indigenous Communities.