NCUIH Congratulates Tribal and Urban Indian Recipients of IHS Produce Prescription Program Awards
On September 22, 2026, the Indian Health Service (IHS) announced $3.5 million in funding through Phase 2 of the Produce Prescription Pilot Program (P4), supporting 14 Tribal and urban Indian communities working to improve access to fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods. The awards will help recipients establish and implement community-driven produce prescription programs that address food insecurity and support healthier communities.
The recipients include four Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs):
- Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
- Native Health, Inc. (Phoenix, Arizona)
- Texas Native Health (Dallas, Texas)
- Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake (Salt Lake City, Utah)
The awards also support Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations in Alaska, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Washington.
Supporting Nutrition and Traditional Foods
According to IHS, the Produce Prescription Pilot Program is designed to reduce food insecurity; improve nutrition and dietary patterns by increasing access to and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods; build nutrition knowledge through education; and promote whole-person health and well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native people and their families.
Produce prescription programs connect health care providers, patients, and local food systems to increase access to nutritious foods while supporting nutrition education and healthier food choices.
Strengthening Native Community Health
Food insecurity and nutrition-related chronic disease continue to affect Native communities across the country. Programs that support access to healthy and traditional foods can strengthen community wellness initiatives and locally driven approaches to improving health.
NCUIH has highlighted the role of traditional food programs at UIOs through its 2024 report, Thematic Analysis of Traditional Food Programs at Urban Indian Organizations and Research on Traditional Healing, which draws on interviews with seven UIOs about how traditional food programs are incorporated into their services.
NCUIH congratulates all Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations selected to receive Produce Prescription Pilot Program funding and looks forward to the impact these programs will have in Native communities.
Background
IHS established the Produce Prescription Pilot Program in 2023. Through the original P4 cohort, IHS awarded $2.5 million to five Tribes and Tribal organizations to implement five-year produce prescription programs. In 2026, IHS awarded an additional $3.5 million to 14 Tribal and urban Indian communities through Phase 2 of the program, with recipients receiving up to $250,000 each.
NCUIH 2024 Traditional Food Report
IHS Produce Prescription Programs
IHS Awards $3.5 Million for Tribal Food and Nutrition Initiatives
