Food Program

NATIVE HEALTH provides a variety of food programs to address food insecurity.

NATIVE HEALTH FOOD PANTRY

NATIVE HEALTH’s FOOD PROGRAM HOURS OF OPERATION, LOCATIONS AND SITE CONTACT

NATIVE HEALTH FOOD PROGRAMS

TEFAP – The Emergency Food Assistance Program (Mesa Only)

NATIVE HEALTH Mesa Food Pantry, 777 West Southern Avenue, Building B (South Side), Mesa. Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-noon.

Program Description: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federally funded, USDA regulated food program that provides monthly fresh and non-perishable food to supplement the diets of individuals from low-income households. Provided by United Food Bank.

Product Detail: *Cereal or oats *Rice, pasta, beans *Canned vegetables and fruits *Protein: chicken, fish, turkey, beef strips

Who Qualifies? Individuals, Households and Families

*Must provide Full Name, Maricopa Country address, and date of birth.

*Self-declares to meet designated income guidelines. (Financial documents are not needed)

*Dependent on number of individuals within the household.

For more information call Susan at (602) 279-5262 x 11027.

CSFP *Commodity Senior Food Program (NATIVE HEALTH Central & NATIVE HEALTH Mesa)

***NATIVE HEALTH Locations are currently full, please reach out to your interested site to join our waiting list***

Program Description: The Commodity Senior Food Program (CSFP) is a federally funded, USDA regulated food program that provides monthly supplemental nutrition boxes for qualifying, low-income, enrolled seniors aged 60 years and older. Provided by St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Product Detail: *Nonfat dry milk, juice, shelf-stable milk *Cereal or oats *Rice, pasta, beans * Canned vegetables and fruits *Canned protein * 2 lbs. cheese block (perishable)

Who Qualifies? Seniors (60 years and older)

o Clients must have Arizona address, photo ID with printed date of birth.

o Client meets designated income guidelines, dependent upon number of family members in the household.

o Clients must enroll and re-certify every year.

o Clients must be able to pick up box at NATIVE HEALTH location every month.

For more information contact Olivia at oljoe@nachci.com or call (602) 279-5262 x 11022.

URBAN Native American Senior Food Bag Program (Central & Mesa)

*** Program availability is DEPENDENT on FUNDING***

Program Description: The URBAN Native American Senior Food Bag Program is open to selected Native American elders in Maricopa County. Funding availability effects availability of bags provided each month. When bags are available Food Pantry staff will contact selected people to pick up bags available. For more information please contact Olivia Joe at x 11022. Funded by private donors and organizations.

For more information call Olivia at oljoe@nachci.com or call (602) 279-5262 x 11022.

Backpack Program (NATIVE HEALTH Central Only)

The Backpack Program provides a bag of nutritious, easy-to-prepare, non-perishable food to school-age children and their families to ensure children receive the nutrition they need at home. Funded by St. Mary’s Food Bank.  For more information contact Gabby Hernandez (602) 279-5262 x 11011.

Product Detail:

• Rotating weekly menus, including canned protein, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and grain
• Provides three meals to a family of four
• Pre-packaged in durable, white plastic bags (9 pounds each)

Who Qualifies? Food Insecure Children and Families:

• Children known to miss meals due to a lack of food in the home.
• Children identified by NATIVE HEALTH
• Free and no proof of income required.

Read It and Eat Program (NATIVE HEALTH Central and Mesa)

Program Description: Read It and Eat offers a fun approach to developing literacy and culinary skills. There is an Indigenous story time, craft, and families learn how to make a simple, healthy recipe. The story time (Read it) engages the youth before moving into the second half of the program (Eat). During the (Eat) portion, youth and their families prepare and taste new culinary dishes. A single theme is carried through both halves of the program, creating an integrated educational experience. Read It and Eat fills the gap of kindergarten readiness programs for families without other means, while teaching families the importance of nutrition, family cooking, and the risks of childhood obesity. Funded by Arizona Complete Health.  Read it and Eat takes place on the third Tuesday of the month at NATIVE HEALTH Mesa. NATIVE HEALTH Central’s Read it and Eat takes place on the third Thursday of the month. Participating families take home a bag of produce at the end of each class.  All families with young children are invited to attend this class.

For more information or reservations please contact Gabby at: gherndandez@nachci.com

NATIVE HEALTH has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in our commitment to address food insecurity for families in the communities we serve. Volunteers and assistance is always welcome.

Emergency food support does not end hunger but your support makes a difference!

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