New program to bring produce to Wis., Minn. tribes

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An agriculture organization is starting a mobile service that offers fresh fruits and vegetables to tribal reservations in northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota.

A Wisconsin Public Radio reportsays the project is sponsored by the Intertribal Agricultural Council. The aim is to give tribes access to foods that are fresher and more nutritious.

Project leader Dan Cornelius says the program will also give farmers access to more customers.

John Greendeer is the president of the Ho Chunk Nation, which has lands spread across several Wisconsin counties. He says the project will help tribal members eat healthier diets and avoid a growing diabetes problem.

The program begins in May. Cornelius says he hopes it'll eventually serve all 34 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.