Ō´yō´•p´ Food Pantry
Located at 108 2nd St. NW Browning, MT 59417
Combating Food Insecurity on the Blackfeet Nation
Meaning “We are eating,” our Ō’yō’·ṗ’ Food Pantry in Browning welcomes members of our community to browse our shelves and take home a wide variety of healthy foods, from fresh locally-grown produce and frozen meat, to herbal teas and other items that are harder to access at our local grocery stores.
Our emphasis lies in providing not just any food, but healthy and culturally relevant options. We recognize that households grappling with food insecurity often resort to purchasing cheaper, less nutritious foods. By offering culturally relevant and nourishing choices, we aim to address this disparity and promote healthier eating habits within our community.
Accessibility
With a dedicated “Elder hour,” and “Working-Class hour,” friendly staff and volunteers, and a seated waiting area, we strive to provide a comfortable, positive experience for our clients.
Our pantry is need-based, not income-based, meaning we serve anyone and everyone who comes to our door. And for those who can’t make it to our pantry, we supply mini pantries in outlying communities on the reservation with healthy food options.
Community Needs
Being food secure or insecure is not a black-and-white situation. For example, some low-income households may manage to remain food secure most of the time, while other households may experience food insecurity despite having an income above the poverty line. Research has consistently shown a positive correlation between food insecurity and chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, malnutrition, Type II diabetes, hypertension, and some types of cancer.
Additionally, experiencing food insecurity, and the compensatory strategies that accompany it (i.e. meal skipping, rationing food) can cause intense psychological stress, which in turn causes long-term negative mental and physical health effects.
