The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT) Food Partnership Program will provide the community with opportunities to have locally sourced, fresh produce, fruit, berries, meats, and seafood. We recognize that the connection we have with food goes beyond nutrition. Many of our traditional foods are considered to be medicine by our tribal people. Having meals that come from where we physically live and that have been historically accessible is important to us. It will also strengthen our connection to families, the larger community and the environment. Our Food Partnership Program will work with local tribal fishers, local tribal hunters, other local Tribes, local farmers, and local berry farms. LEKT will purchase unprocessed foods that provide individuals and families swift opportunity to prepare and consume fresh meals. Development of buyer-seller relationships with fishers, hunters and farms for locally grown and harvested food will persist into the future. This Food Partnership will ensure long-term local cohesiveness, economic sustainability for our partners and culturally relevant food security for our community.
Our Food Partnership Program will coordinate with Lower Elwha food bank for storage and distribution of the purchased food items. We will provide direct access to the purchased foods, ensuring all community members have success reducing food insecurities in the homes on our reservation.