Tribal Food Safety Alliance: support for Native American growers and food businesses
Official title: Native American Tribes Outreach, Education, and Training to Enhance Food Safety and FSMA Compliance: Tribal Food Safety Alliance
Funded at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville · NIH-11193797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program provides culturally tailored training and support to Native American farmers and tribal food businesses to help them meet FDA food-safety rules like the Produce Safety Rule and Preventive Controls for Human Food.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arkansas at Fayetteville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $441,910 |
| NIH project number | 5U01FD006923-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Native American and Alaska Native growers, food processors, tribal food business owners, and tribal extension staff involved in food production or handling.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not involved in tribal food production, processing, or distribution are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
What this research studies
If I run a tribal farm or food business, this program works with the FDA and tribal partners to give me practical, culturally relevant food-safety training and outreach. The project identifies gaps in existing training and creates technical assistance and educational materials that respect tribal practices. Trainings and resources are delivered through partnerships with the Intertribal Agriculture Council and the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program. Support can include both remote and on-site activities coordinated across Indian Country.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower the risk of foodborne illness in tribal communities and help tribal businesses comply with federal food-safety rules.
How similar studies have gone: This renewal builds on the Tribal Food Safety Alliance launched in 2020, which has previously provided trainings and resources to Indian Country, though local tailoring continues to be developed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shedd, Steven — University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Study coordinator: Shedd, Steven
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.