NAAF’s food sovereignty work empowers the GuVo community through sustainable gardening, culturally rooted agricultural education, and reliable food distribution—ensuring families have access to healthy, locally grown produce while revitalizing traditional growing practices. These efforts strengthen community resilience, promote nutritional wellness, and foster intergenerational knowledge sharing.
The Native American Advancement Foundation’s food sovereignty programming includes Ruth’s Oidag Food Pantry, a robust gardening initiative, and culturally rooted nutrition education. NAAF’s food pantry operates three days per week and distributes over 100 food boxes monthly to families, elders, and early childhood students across GuVo, Ali Chugk, and neighboring districts. Since 2024, 19 home gardens, 3 community gardens, and 2 Elder Center gardens have been established, serving more than 100 households annually. Monthly workshops—such as composting, raised bed construction, and critter-proofing—equip families with sustainable growing skills. NAAF also offers regular cooking sessions to teach early learners how to prepare healthy snacks, while collaborations with partners such as Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Tohono O’odham Community College expand agricultural literacy and seed-saving knowledge. These programs are supported by partnerships with the Southern AZ Community Food Bank, which also provides seasonal seed kits and delivery coordination.
Regarding key achievements and program impact, since launching Ruth’s Oidag, food access has expanded across multiple districts, with Pisinemo and Hikiwan now coordinating pickups and distribution for their communities. The greenhouse at Ruth’s Oidag cultivates crops such as jamaica, carrots, cowpeas, fig and grape trees, jalapeños, and cantaloupe—supporting year-round harvests. The Elder garden includes sugar cane, beans, and squash, and is maintained weekly during social gatherings. Educational outreach has reached dozens of families through hands-on workshops and seasonal planting events. Food preservation classes have taught techniques like pickling and dehydrating, extending the shelf life of local produce. The pumpkin patch project that launched in late July of 2025 will further engage youth and families in traditional farming. These efforts have strengthened food security, revitalized cultural practices, and empowered intergenerational learning throughout the GuVo District.