Support Indigenous-Led Restoration of First Foods

November is Native American Heritage Month. To support Indigenous-led efforts to restore First Foods here in Southwestern Oregon, MFC will donate 20¢ to the Indigenous Gardens Network at Vesper Meadow for each Field Day item sold from November 1 – November 30, 2026.

The Indigenous Gardens Network (IGN) serves as a hub of collaborative, Indigenous-led land projects that aim to restore traditional gathering areas throughout Southwestern Oregon (SWO) so that First Foods and plants of cultural significance can be cultivated, harvested, and made accessible to Indigenous partners. The IGN mobilizes new and existing resources in innovative ways to create project-based and experiential learning opportunities that address the urgent issues of food security, climate change, and Indigenous food sovereignty. The project represents a regional partnership that brings diverse partners together (Tribes, educators, conservation organizations) to address barriers to First Food access and cultivation.

IGN is a partnership between the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Southern Oregon University, Vesper Meadow Education Program, and other regional partners that received funding from the Oregon Cultural Trust to initiate the Indigenous Gardens Network.

Vesper Meadow provides fundraising and logistical support for the Indigenous Gardens Network and for trips to Southwest Oregon by IGN partners living elsewhere. The Vesper Meadow Restoration Preserve serves as a safe space for culturally specific activities and project-based access for IGN members.

Last year, we raised $1,078.40 to support the Indigenous Gardens Network’s second biannual Camas Camp — a large inter-Tribal gathering for Tribal families to come together around learning traditional food ways and other cultural heritage practices. This year, funds raised will support IGN organizing, ongoing field visits to Southern Oregon, partnerships for cultural burning at Vesper Meadow, or Acorn Camp. 

Get ready for gatherings with friends and family with big savings on our most popular Field Day products from November 4 – November 17.

Save on more than 70 Field Day items — from pumpkin to pasta to sparkling water — from Nov 4–17, 2026.  Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious foods and household products at more affordable prices every day through Co+op Basics, making this savings event even more spectacular. Our lowest prices will be even lower! 

Stock up on staples like pasta, beans, and olive oil.  Save on spices and herbs, as well as baking essentials including sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.  Find the foods you want for holiday meals, like gravy, pumpkin puree, and broth. 

Gathering with family and friends for a Thanksgiving meal is a familiar ritual for many people, and we strive to serve our entire community well during this busy time of year.  In recognition that the story of the first Thanksgiving perpetuates an inaccurate and harmful version of history, food co-ops across the country are making a collective donation to North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) this November. Food co-ops will donate 5¢ to NATIFS for every Field Day product sold on sale during this promotion.

NATIFS is a nonprofit organization founded by Lakota Chef Sean Sherman (known as the Sioux Chef), dedicated to revitalizing Indigenous food systems and promoting cultural preservation within Native American communities.  Through initiatives like the Indigenous Food Lab, NATIFS offers training programs, educational workshops and support for Indigenous entrepreneurs to empower individuals and foster economic development.

By addressing economic disparities, food insecurity and the loss of Indigenous food knowledge, NATIFS aims to restore health, wealth and cultural identity to Indigenous populations.  The organization's commitment to promoting Indigenous foodways education, facilitating food access and revitalizing ancestral knowledge underscores its mission to create positive social impact and support underserved communities. To learn more about NATIFS, visit natifs.org.

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Educational Resources
If you are interested in doing more, consider learning about and supporting the initiatives of Indigenous peoples in your local community.

Visit native-land.ca to learn whose ancestral land you live on.

The Oregon Department of Education partnered with representatives of the nine federally recognized Tribal governments in Oregon to create the Essential Understandings of Native Americans in Oregon.

Organizations working to strengthen Native Foodways:
The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians
Indigenous Gardens Network
Vesper Meadow
North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS)

Camas

Learn about Camas, an important First Food:
Rooted in Culture: Oregon’s Wild Camas video from Travel Oregon
Camas Lesson Plan from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Camas Camp Reflections from Aiyanna Brown
Legacy of Indigenous Stewardship of Camas Dates Back More Than 3,500 Years, OSU Study Finds from Oregon State University