The Monacan Indian Nation Cultural Foundation – Foodbank (MINFB) has an unprecedented opportunity to lay the groundwork for establishing a Monacan food enterprise, connecting traditional food practices with modern systems to promote healing and economic prosperity. Since MINFB started in 2019 from their tribal hall basement with a $1,000 USD budget, they have grown exponentially to include all community members interested, including 8,349 individuals in 2024 alone. MINFB have strengthened their capacity through public and government partnerships, offered out-of-state assistance to tribal members in need, helped with hurricane relief, supplied complete ‘holiday feast’ bags, and started a garden program and seed bank aimed towards food sovereignty and agricultural education. This grant will further the organization’s vision for a Monacan food enterprise. MINFB will continue their ongoing partnerships, as well as forge new relationships that can allow the organization to establish programs to produce nutritious land-to-table foods and promote self-sufficiency for those of all ages who wish to learn to provide for themselves. MINFB will use food to heal their community and drive economic prosperity for the Monacan Nation.
