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The Food Distribution Program offers a variety of grains, dried fruit, non-perishables, dairy, poultry, and more at their warehouse located in downtown Ignacio.
The Food Distribution Program features healthy and nutritional foods – such as fresh Bison meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, name brand foods, and more – to La Plata and Archuleta County residents who reside on or near the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are always available to clients participating in the Food Distribution Program. Seasonal produce such as squash, tomatoes, melons and more are cycled throughout the year.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
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Food Distribution provides fresh food for qualifying residents

Wednesday - December 24, 2025 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum

The Southern Ute Food Distribution Program provides fresh produce and more to the local community, while continuing to break down stigmas and prevent food waste. Their overall mission is to create a grocery shopping experience with the goal of making quality foods accessible for all. The program prides itself on offering healthy and nutritional food options – such as fresh bison meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, name brand foods, and a variety of non-perishables – available to La Plata and Archuleta County residents who reside on or near the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. 

Food Distribution Specialist, Andreanna Cook-Hiett has been managing the program for the last three years, overseeing the warehouse and the property located in downtown Ignacio at 740 Goddard Ave., she is assisted by Crystalee Wagner who serves as the stock clerk for the Food Distribution Program. Together, they work to provide fresh food for the community.  

“When I started working here, I was really impressed by everything we had to offer,” Cook-Hiett said. “Growing up, when I would see the commodities, they were all white color labeled – it is much different now, we actually have a few name brand items that you can find in a grocery store like Walmart or other grocery stores, so I really encourage people to come see what our program offers for you.” 

The qualifications for those who would like to utilize the federal food program in Ignacio are straight forward, “Applicants will qualify as long as they live within the boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, even if you live in Archuleta County, however it does exclude Durango – local Native Americans also qualify for the program as well,” Cook-Hiett said. “The applications can be found on the Tribe’s website with all the complete details, we ensure it is an easy process to help applicants qualify – it is a federal government program, so after the applications are finished the approval decision is completed by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.” 

 

Foods available include: 

  • Vegetables: carrots, cabbage, lettuce (romaine and iceberg), onions, russet potatoes, red potatoes, spinach, and seasonal vegetables such as squash, etc. 
  • Fruits: apples, oranges, mixed fruit, and seasonal fruits such as melons, grapes, tomatoes, etc.  
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables (broccoli, green beans and carrots, peas, strawberries, blueberries.) 
  • Canned beef, ground beef, roasts, pork chops, deli turkey meat, bison stew meat, bison ground, whole frozen chicken, chicken breasts, salmon, catfish, walleye, etc.  
  • Macaroni & cheese, pasta, cereals, rice and other grains. 
  • Cheese, fresh eggs, egg mix, low-fat ultra-high-temperature milk (UHT), non-fat dry milk and evaporated milk. 
  • Flour, cornmeal, bakery mix and reduced sodium crackers. 
  • Low-fat refried beans, dried beans and dehydrated potatoes. 
  • Peanuts and peanut butter. 
  • Juices and dried fruit. 

 

According to the Tribe’s website, “The Tribe has designated La Plata (excluding the city of Durango) and Archuleta counties in Colorado as its near areas where tribal members can receive program services.  Effective February 1994, those Native American households living in defined ‘near areas’ of the Southern Ute Reservation may also participate in the Food Program if at least one household member is a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe regardless of that member’s age. The staff strives to increase awareness of the services offered to those households who might otherwise have no knowledge of the program.”   

Adding that, “The program provides superior customer service by constantly improving the quality of service.  The staff treats clients with courtesy and the respect they deserve.  The staff supports the journey to better nutrition within our Native community (Reservation) by encouraging healthy food choices and promoting physical activity.” 

The program staff also strive to prevent food waste by collaborating with the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (SUIMA), various tribal departments, and more. “Crystalee [Wagner] and I work with SUIMA, and they get a lot of our meats; the students love the bison – if we have any damaged items such as beans, macaroni, rice, we offer that to the students for craft projects,” Cook-Hiett said. “Manna Soup Kitchen also gets a lot of our donations as well, we just try our best to not waste food – for example, if we receive a bag of apples with one bad apple we are required to pull the whole thing, so I will offer the remaining fruit to a tribal department or division.”  

The Food Distribution Program strives to make quality foods available to all, strengthening our community and redefining food assistance. For more information, call 970-563-2531 or visit www.southernute-nsn.gov/tribal-services/food-distribution-program/   

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