The IPFT Indigi-Baby Maternal and Child Nutrition Initiative project

The IPFT Indigi-Baby Maternal and Child Nutrition Initiative project aimed to reduce the incidence of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in all IPTF Native children. Grounded in Ojibwe seven grandfather teachings, the project curriculum mixed Native and Western science to create a sustainable food source and education basis for the parents for continued health and nutrition.

Indigenous Peoples Task Force (IPTF) has developed and implemented culturally appropriate programs for over 26 years to prevent transmission of HIV, increase access to traditional and Western medical services, and improve the quality of life for clients, families, and communities. IPTF had a 2-year Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) grant from 2016 to 2018. The project’s purpose was to expand IPTF’s capacity to provide healthier food options for American Indian babies.

IPTF’s three partners who contributed the most to the success of the project were the Global Institute for Food Security and International Agriculture (GIFSIA) at NDSU, Herb Man Farms, and Lori Watso, who created the recipes. Project participants from the community indicated they were eating healthier by the end of the first year of the project. It was observed at work lunch breaks early in the year that, when participants had a choice, they would choose fried and high carb foods.

During the course of the project, participants began to change their selections to more salads and nutritionally dense, healthy foods. The project served participants within their households and prepared these young adults to lead the next step of improving access to healthy baby foods—test marketing and launch of Indigi-Baby. Project participants learned leadership skills such as communication, teamwork, and creative thinking as they took part in business strategy sessions. In addition, they took on a leadership role on the farm by leading various assignments related to soil preparation, planting, and harvesting crops on the farm. Teaching the farm interns how to grow food, gather food, and create the baby food was very rewarding.

IPTF has identified six recipes that when analyzed by GIFSIA at NDSU showed high levels of antioxidants and minerals and also helped to promote good gut microbiome. Developing a baby food product based on indigenous foods allowed the project to contribute to infant and child health and identify some specific sustainable farming practices that improved yield but also reduced weed pressure.