‘Add Milk Campaign’ a smashing success in Pine Ridge

PINE RIDGE – Celebrating the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) kickoff with the cooperation of the United States Department of Agriculture is the Add Milk Campaign. The campaign aims to help increase the purchase of healthy fluid milk to low-income consumers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

This particular campaign was launched outside Buche Foods in Pine Ridge. Tribal dignitaries were on hand giving powerful incentives for change and improved health with healthier food choices. The event began with the drumbeats of a local drum group who played before the introduction of Oglala Sioux Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out. Also in attendance was former President Joe American Horse in full regalia.

“We need deals and discounts to help our people in Indian Country” Star Comes Out said. “We need to look into the price of food and gas and see how we can get them lowered. We want the same business price opportunities as off reservation businesses. I would like to thank Mr. Buche for helping out.”

It was an energetic sunny morning as children played in the jumping castles provided on the grounds just for the event while volunteers fed the crowd a light lunch.

The star-studded event included Congressman Dusty Johnson, who was also on stage shaking hands and taking pictures with the crowd.

“I was a poor kid of seven children and if there was milk in the fridge, that was something,” said Johnson. “Milk makes you strong and I will be working with Congress for healthier families.”

As the OST President called for a tribal council voice, Vietnam Veteran and seven time tribal President John Steele stepped up. Steele advocated to Congressman Johnson, “We came back from Vietnam and Hippies would throw things at us calling us names and here we are being honored today,” stated Steele. “Thank you Congressman for the water coming out of the Missouri River, arsenic and contamination free. We have good water.”

Steele also advocated for Congress to appropriate $10 million dollars toward treaty rations, as surplus commodities now have more fiber for a healthier diet. In addition Councilwoman Anna Halverston from the Pass Creek District thanked Lakota Technical School for help feeding the public while also commending RF Buche.

Buche enlightened the crowd by informing them the Pine Ridge store is 1 of 100 stores to be selected in the nation to receive this promotion. “Every dollar matters,” said Buche. “Providing food to our families which get to benefit from our Add Milk Incentives is a big plus.”

(Contact Kirk Dickerson at salesmanager@nativesunnews.today)

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