T he U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests comments on new changes to administrative match requirements for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The 2018 Farm Bill set in place meaningful advancements for tribal organizations: reducing FDPIR administrative match requirements, allowing the USDA to waive this match if the tribal organization faces a “substantial burden,” and allowing tribal organizations to use other federal funds as an administrative match.
 
The Native Farm Bill Coalition is concerned that the USDA will issue restrictive and disparate requirements for how tribal organizations submit their administrative match. These requirements could lead to gaps for Native families and children accessing food in FDPIR. USDA must allow maximum flexibility for tribal organizations in this program. We encourage tribes and other leaders to submit written comments voicing these concerns. To assist you in writing comments, please utilize this template letter highlighting how the USDA can resolve our key concerns with this rule.

You can view the proposed rule and comment online here .  Please submit your comments by TODAY, November 4.