Intertribal Agriculture Council Announces National Intertribal Food Business Center Awards

The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC), through its National Intertribal Food Business Center (NIFBC) initiative, celebrates the success of our Business Builder Awardees. The hard work, ingenuity, and vision of our awardees ensure that this investment supports stronger food systems across Indian Country and the nation. As the only food business center dedicated to Indian Country, NIFBC works toward a vision where food security, opportunity, and innovation go hand in hand.

The NIFBC distributed 43 grants across 13 states with more than $3.5 million in total funding. The awards help businesses grow, develop new products, buy equipment, plan for the future, and build stronger supply chains. Several projects focus on food distribution, safer food handling, and better access to local markets. These efforts support food sovereignty and contribute to economic growth. With targeted technical assistance and Business Builder Awards, NIFBC equips Indian Country food businesses with tools, training, and capital to grow.

Established to address long-standing barriers faced by small- and mid-sized food and farm businesses in Indian Country, NIFBC serves entrepreneurs across the entire supply chain, including food business leaders, farmers, ranchers, fishers, gatherers, value-added food producers, food product aggregators, distributors, and food business owners. Nearly 40 years of relationship-building by IAC and its partners positioned the organization to successfully coordinate a national strategy through NIFBC.

NIFBC’s launch and successful award cycle mark important progress in expanding opportunities across Indian Country. “The National Intertribal Food Business Center reflects what is possible when long-standing relationships, technical expertise, and a clear vision for food economies come together in service of Indian Country,” said Kelsey Scott, IAC Chief Strategy Officer. “This first round of awards demonstrates both the commitment of food entrepreneurs and the importance of continued investment in business development pathways that expand opportunity, strengthen markets, and build lasting solutions.” IAC remains focused on turning this momentum into lasting impact by investing in initiatives that grow agriculture and food enterprises.