Nutrition Education Program
Nutrition Education
Keshawna Yazzie-Wolftail
Nutrition Education Specialist
FAST Blackfeet’s Nutrition Education Program teaches classes that cover basic nutrition, shopping for healthy foods, and traditional foods. This program is led by Mackenzie Sachs, FAST Blackfeet’s Registered Dietitian, and Keshawna Yazzie-Wolftail, our Nutrition Education Specialist. Classes are taught monthly to the public, and all ingredients are provided for each class. Mackenzie and Keshawna also conduct food demonstrations in the O’yo’p Food Pantry, Traditional cooking classes, Nutrition Tip of the Week, and Recipe of the Week.
FAST Blackfeet’s Food Pharmacy Program is a produce prescription program that addresses chronic disease and food insecurity in the Blackfeet Nation. The program makes healthy food more accessible and gives participants the skills and knowledge to eat well.
The Food Pharmacy Program started in 2020 as a unique partnership between a Tribal health clinic (the Southern Peigan Health Center) and a community non-profit (FAST Blackfeet). Today, Patients are referred from the Southern Peigan Health Center, or another healthcare provider, if they have a diet-related disease diagnosis and are experiencing food insecurity.
Food Pharmacy Participants have access to:
Individual nutrition counseling with FAST Blackfeet’s Registered Dietitian, Mackenzie Sachs.
Group cooking classes that use Blackfeet foods and incorporate Indigenous nutrition concepts and knowledge
Specialized food boxes from the Ō´yō´ṗ´ Food Pantry to meet dietary needs
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers to be used at Blackfeet Nation grocery stores
The fresh fruit and vegetable vouchers help participants access the foods recommended to manage their health conditions. Fresh produce is otherwise difficult to access in the Blackfeet community as a result of the remote location, high prices and lower quality. Many community members travel off the Reservation to purchase groceries that last them multiple weeks. The vouchers allow participants to purchase fresh produce more often, and support local retailers.
Vouchers can be redeemed for fresh produce at participating vendors on the Blackfeet Reservation: Glacier Family Foods, Teeples IGA, Glacier Park Trading Company, Glendale Colony Produce Stand, Suzie’s Store, St Mary Grocery
Food Pharmacy
Who Qualifies for the Program?
Must be 18 years or older
Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Could have been previously diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes
Had a blood test within the past year with an A1C of 5.7 to 6.4 Or a Body Mass Index of 25 or higher
Or score a 5 or higher on the pre-diabetic risk assessment
https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/takethetest/
Phone: (406) 471-7630 Email: rj@fastblackfeet.org
What does the Program Provide?
Trained Lifestyle Coaches
CDC Approved Curriculum Group Support
Free Lunch Incentives Vouchers for Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables to be redeemed at Blackfeet Nation grocery stores
What are the Program Goals?
At least 5-7% weight loss
150 minutes of physical activity per week
Reduce HbA1C by 0.2% or greater.
Create a healthy lifestyle change that will last a lifetime.
Meet R.J Goss, the coordinator for the Blackfeet Diabetes Prevention Program, guiding and supporting you every step of the way.
Discover our year-long program designed to empower those at risk for type 2 diabetes. With the support of FAST Blackfeet and Southern Piegan Health Center, we guide you through sustainable lifestyle changes, focusing on healthy eating, stress management, and increased physical activity.
