The USDA has acknowledged disruptions and service failure in a food distribution program for the Spirit Lake Nation in northeastern North Dakota.  An inappropriate decision by USDA to “consolidate the supply chain” by using a single distribution and warehouse provider has resulted in failure to deliver food to more than 50,000 recipients of the federal program.

Food distribution programs on Indian Reservations represent the equivalent of SNAP more suited to urban and rural locations but inappropriate for Native American demographic on reservations. This is based on the absence of groceries and supermarkets in these remote areas. 

In a statement, the USDA acknowledged that there was “a significant disruption that has left locations without acceptable inventories for necessary food items”.  USDA is making available $11 million in cash to assist recipients.  Although this gesture is welcome, administrators of the Spirit Lake Nation Food Distribution Program are concerned over long-term deliveries.

It is questioned whether the USDA has the structure to conduct an internal investigation, identify deficiencies, take corrective action and the organizational culture to discipline those responsible for deprivation of food from recipients.