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Indigenous Food Lab

is a professional Indigenous kitchen and training center covering all aspects of food service; research and development; Indigenous food identification, gathering, cultivation, and preparation; and all components of starting and running a successful culinary business based around Native traditions and Indigenous foods.

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IFL Market

The Indigenous Food Lab Market is a kitchen and retail space that offers high-quality Indigenous foods and products to our community.

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VENDORS

Vendors featured in the Indigenous Food Lab Market.

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Indigenous Food Lab Market

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Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pmServing hot food: Monday: 11am - 2pm Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 6pmSpirit Kitchen, producing grab-and-go and made-to-order Indigenous food.Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis.

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ABOUT

About NATIFS

North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS), founded by The Sioux Chef Sean Sherman, is dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. We imagine a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises.

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Projects

In collaboration with national organizations the NATIFS team has put together a series of recipes, training and education resources.

USDA / FDPIR

USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative

Minnesota Department of Education

Minnesota Wild Rice

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Recipes

Videos

Books

USDA / FDPIR: Recipes, Videos, Forageable Plants

Sean Sherman cooking at Owamni Restaurant

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RESOURCES | RECIPES |VIDEOS

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NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS

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NATIFS Manifesto: Harnessing Indigenous Food Practices to Combat Climate Change
NATIFS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEAN SHERMAN BRINGS INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE TO UNITED NATIONS COP 28 IN DUBAI
New recipes from Small Business Saturday event at Indigenous Food Lab Market
On Good Morning America – James Beard Award-winning chef revitalizing and revolutionizing Indigenous cuisine
Sean Sherman and NATIFS create collaborations in Hawaii to promote Indigenous Food Sovereignty on the Islands

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Do you know someone who loves to host brunches for friends, or someone who could use a staycation? The B&B Holiday Gift Box has everything they`ll need for the perfect Sunday morning, and all products are by the fabulous vendors of the @iflmarket Shop in-person or online; link in our bio and stories!

#indigenous #indigenousfoodlab #indigenousfood #indigenousgifts #indigenousfoodlabmarket #indigenousvendors #buynative #Minneapolis #shoplocalmsp #midtownglobalmarket

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@natifs_org just finished the second year of a partnership with the USDA’s Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative. For this project, Indigenous chefs created recipes using food found in the FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) program, combined with local, foraged plants. This project features demonstration videos, including how to identify and sustainably harvest native plants, as well as prepare the recipes. The goal of this project is to improve healthy eating habits and preserve Indigenous food traditions for Indigenous populations across the United States.

This work started right here in Minnesota – in the Midwest/Mountain Plains region – in our first year of this partnership, and it was because of that success that the project has expanded across the country.

Next year, the project will cover Hawaii and Alaska, completing all USDA regions in the United States.

Help us design innovative programs that improve healthy food access in tribal communities and beyond; visit the link in our bio and stories to donate. #gtmd23

Wopida tanka, chi miigwech, muchas gracias, and many thanks!

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We opened the Indigenous Food Lab Market on June 1, 2023 in the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. We’re featuring made-to-order Indigenous food, healthy grab-and-go prepared foods, and products from more than 30 Indigenous makers. We’ve just added fresh, organic produce and foraged items to our lineup, along with frozen bison and elk. We’re also now able to fulfill orders of many of our products via our online store.

Our educational programming has kicked off, with much more to come! We’ve been welcoming student groups to the Indigenous Food Lab to learn about Indigenous food, food as medicine, and do hands-on projects. Visiting groups also eat a nutritious, Indigenous lunch created by our Spirit Kitchen chefs.

With your help, we can continue providing access to traditional foods and goods, and create markets for Indigenous producers. We also plan on increasing access by expanding our educational programming virtually to those who can’t join in-person.

With your support, we can help empower our Indigenous communities with healthy food and to quote Sean Sherman, “we can be the answer to our ancestors’ prayers”. #GTMD23

Visit the link in our bio & stories to donate!

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It’s Give to the Max Day, the annual holiday of giving here in Minnesota. Throughout the day, we’ll give you a glimpse into what has been a landmark year for NATIFS and the Indigenous Food Lab, and where–with your support–we’re heading.

Reclaiming connection to land and community is a critical part of reversing the damage of colonialism and forced assimilation, and food is at the heart of this reclamation. One of the ways we accomplish this is by working with local students. Recently, students from Richfield Public Schools, learned about plant medicines and Indigenous Food Sovereignty from our Herbal Educator, Francesca Garcia, and IFL Market Team Member, Ari Nason. The students received hands-on experience, putting together their own tea and spice blends to take home and enjoy with their families!

Link in our bio & stories to donate!

#GTMD23

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There is no end to limiting food waste! Our educational programming and community engagement leader, Linda Black Elk, shares the pros of harvesting your chili pepper leaves. 🌶

#IndigenousFoods #Indigenous #IndigenousFoodLab #indigenousfoodsovereignty #IndigenousFoodways #foodsovereignty #lessfoodwaste

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