Serving the community since 1979

The Leech Lake Department of Agriculture is a subdivision for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. We work to support food sovereignty, improve access to healthy foods, and revitalize traditional knowledge connected to land, seeds, and animals. Our work centers around community, culture, and the long-term well being of the Leech Lake Nation. We are here to support our families, elders, youth, and all community members across the Leech Lake Nation. Our program continues to grow and we look forward to building stronger, healthier food systems together.

Eligibility

All clients have to live on or near the Leech Lake Reservation and have to be an enrolled Tribal Member of any tribal affiliation if they live out of the reservation boundaries, non-band Members have to live within the boundaries of Leech Lake Reservation. We serve Cass County, Beltrami County, Itasca County and Hubbard County. New eligibility guidelines and deductions come out every year in October, with the cost of living, rent, house payments, electric bills and day care and providing food for healthy meal for your family can put a hardship on working and nonworking households. Households don’t realize the deductions the Food Distribution Program can take out of income, it is well worth putting in an application to see if your household is eligible but your household cannot participate on the SNAP Program and the Food Distribution Program in one given month.

Food Packages

The food packages we give out monthly are well worth applying for the Food Distribution Program as you will receive frozen/canned meats: hamburger, bison, chicken, beef roast and other frozen meat to choose from, canned fruit and vegetables, fresh produce, juice and dry goods, all the food items you order will be your choice to feed your family and will be allowed to choose your food monthly. Some of the foods in our food packages contain no sugar and they have also added some traditional foods like fish, bison, wild rice when available.

Schedule

On-site pick up:

Mon-Thurs 9am-3:30pm

Elder & Homebound Delivery:

Last two working days of the month
9am-3:30pm

Location:

16051 65th Ave. NW. Cass Lake, MN 56633

Interested in Applying?

To apply, call the number below or fill out the form and bring it into the FDPIR building.

Documents to bring: Income verification, Verification of Residency, Tribal ID, Food Stamp Termination Notices, Unemployment Statement or Employer Verification, Social Security Numbers, Bills/Utilities, Obligated Child Support Proof.

meet the team

Susie Roy

Food Distribution Director

Susie has led the FDPIR since it’s very beginning. She has helped shape it into a trusted and essential resource for the community. As a dedicated advocate, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that families have access to high-quality, nourishing food. She is especially passionate about increasing access to traditional indigenous foods, honoring culture while supporting community wellness.

Administration Team

Dakotah Brunelle: Secretary
Brenda Dahl: Certification Supervisor
Chris Finn: Certification Worker

Our administration team is a welcoming and knowledgeable group of the program. All of our members have been with the program for many years. They help guide daily operations and support all programming activities with care and consistency. Our two experienced certification workers play a vital role in serving the community and assisting with eligibility determinations and helping individuals select food packages that best meet their needs. Together they ensure every interaction is supportive, efficient and centered on the people we service.

Warehouse Team

Tim Beaulieu: Warehouse Supervisor
Alex O’Neal: Warehouse Assistant
Jauquin Sargent: Warehouse Worker

Our warehouse team plays a pivotal role in keeping the program running smoothly behind the scenes. Our two long-standing employees bring years of experience and dedication. They are now joined by a new staff member who adds fresh energy to the team. Together, they manage all aspects of food handling from receiving deliveries, to assembling and preparing food packages with care. They coordinate and carry out elder and homebound deliveries, ensuring that the community receive the support they need.