The American Indian Council on Alcoholism Partners with Hunger Task Force to Foster Wellness and Preserve Food Sovereignty

Rebeca Delgado, 67, a Stockbridge-Munsee tribal elder, receives a Stockbox and Tribal Elder Traditional Food Box from Hunger Task Force.

In Native communities, it’s widely held that “food is medicine” and a source of cultural identity. Food represents a connection to land, ancestors and community. The American Indian Council on Alcoholism (AICA) in Milwaukee County embraces this understanding through its holistic approach to sobriety and wellness, encouraging food sovereignty to uplift Native individuals and families across Southeastern Wisconsin.

“When we talk about food sovereignty, it’s about people having a say in what they eat, where it comes from and how it connects to their culture,” says Monica Hooper, Outreach Specialist at AICA, and an enrolled member of Oneida Nation. “At AICA, we want to support our community to find healing, sobriety, recovery and wellness.  We recognize that nutrition is a big part of wellness, which is why we now offer a Diabetes Prevention Program and Dietician Appointments monthly. The Stockbox program aligns with our mission by supporting the health of Natives in the Milwaukee area.”

Across Wisconsin, Native people face disproportionately high rates of food insecurity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Indigenous households experience hunger at more than double the rate of other households. For urban Native communities like those AICA serves, challenges are often compounded by limited access to affordable, healthy food and reliable transportation.

Hunger Task Force acts as the administrator of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program – known locally as Stockbox – which provides monthly packages of non-perishable, nutritious food to all eligible aging adults. Simultaneously, Hunger Task Force’s Tribal Elder Traditional Food Box program distributes culturally relevant foods sourced from a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous producers to tribal elders throughout Milwaukee County.

At AICA, Monica is the essential link connecting these resources to those who need them most. She supports elders in the community by personally picking up and delivering the Stockboxes as a proxy. Along with this helpful service, AICA also provides wellness education, recovery support and cultural programming, while encouraging participation in the Tribal Elder Traditional Food Box program.

“Elders are held in high regard in our community,” says Monica. “We want to make sure they have access to not only nutritional food, but other community resources that the Hunger Task Force has to offer them. The Stockbox program helps bridge the gap for elders on a fixed income and adressess the lack of access to nutritional food.”

For Rebeca Delgado, a local tribal elder of the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe, the Stockbox program is more than a convenient resource; it is a lifeline. Now 67 years old, Rebeca has received Stockboxes since 2018. “During COVID, it was so hard to get groceries, and I didn’t have a car at that time,” she recalls. “The Stockbox really helps me budget, and thanks to Monica’s help picking it up, I know I can rely on it every month.”

Managing her diabetes, Rebeca values the nutritious options the program provides, knowing they support both her health and independence. During the summer months, she loves receiving the fresh fruits and vegetables grown at the Hunger Task Force Farm, which are often provided alongside the standard Stockbox items. These additions give her an extra source of wholesome local produce that supports a healthy diet. Rebeca also receives the Tribal Elder Traditional Food Box and appreciates that items are sourced from Wisconsin farmers and producers.

By facilitating access to both the Stockbox and the Tribal Elder Traditional Food Box, AICA and Hunger Task Force’s partnership achieves more than monthly access to nutritious food for vulnerable communities. The programs ensure elders receive culturally affirming, nutritious options that uphold their traditions and empower them to live with dignity.

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.