\u201cWe know that the menus designed for the American school system aren\u2019t great,\u201d he said. \u201cFor example, pizza is somehow considered a perfect food because it covers the meat, grain, dairy, and fruit and vegetable requirements all in one swoop, but we know that pizza isn\u2019t a perfect food for schoolkids. We\u2019re not trying to replace the entire lunch program; we\u2019re trying to create culturally specific components so there are options to build out menus using these recipes with at least one ingredient coming from an Indigenous producer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local Indigenous advocates are cheering Sherman on as he expands his purview to better serve the robust Native community in the Twin Cities, estimated at more than 35,000 individuals. \u201cThere is a huge need for culturally appropriate foods, especially in schools and programs serving Native people, and I\u2019m grateful Sean is supporting this with his new business,\u201d said Indigenous Food Network<\/a> Program Coordinator Kateri Tuttle. \u201cThere will always be a need to continue to expand services that\u00a0provide our families and community with these important\u00a0foods.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sherman wants to introduce more Indigenous foods into the American food system. (Photo credit: Bill Phelps Studio)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n As much as this is about feeding people, it\u2019s also about uplifting Native entrepreneurs and businesses. To that end, Sherman estimates that NATIFS currently funnels some $700,000 a year to Indigenous producers and farmers. He only see that growing from here.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to ensure there\u2019s always money going toward Indigenous food production,\u201d he said. \u201cI think we could probably double or triple our current purchasing power with this move into institutional food, where we\u2019ll eventually be creating thousands of servings a day. So we\u2019re not only addressing a need, but we\u2019re also helping create a more sustainable system.\u201d<\/p>\n Muckleshoot nutrition educator and food sovereignty advocate Val Segrest, who has collaborated with Sherman on past initiatives, emphasized the importance of initiatives like this.<\/p>\n \u201cEfforts like this are a powerful reclaiming of space [and] story, and strengthen food sovereignty,\u201d she said in an email. \u201cBy establishing Indigenous-owned food hubs in the heart of our communities, we restore pathways for cultural knowledge, health, and economic vitality to thrive. This is more than a building or initiative\u2014it\u2019s a beacon for Indigenous food futures, rooted in our values and nourished by our ancestors\u2019 vision.\u201d<\/p>\n Sherman is also eager to launch the satellite IFL in Bozeman, developed in partnership with Montana State University\u2019s Buffalo Nations Food System Initiative<\/a>, the Montana Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative<\/a>, and the Human Resource Development Council of Southwest Montana<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/civileats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sean-Sherman-Outside-1-Credit-Bill-Phelps-Studio-@billphelpsstudio.jpg\")
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