Food cooperative planned in Lodge Pole

In the small community of Lodge Pole on the remote southern edge of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, residents have to drive 11 miles to buy food at a small store in Hays.

It’s a trip to Harlem, Malta or Havre if thay want to do major grocery shopping.

People with diesel-operated vehicles have to drive a 40-miles trip to Harlem to fill up.

That’s about to change.

At 10 a.m. Monday, ground will be broken for the Red Paint Creek Trading Post and Pantry. When it is open, hopefully by July 1, it will provide healthy food, supplies and gasoline and diesel for area residents.

Terry Brockie, communications director of the project, said the idea is to save residents time and money providing services closer to home.

Several people in the area have gardens that raise vegetables, he said. And there are community gardens near the site of the cooperative, he said. Through a grant obtained by the Fort Belknap tribal council, more greenhouses will be built, he said.

“That should expand the growing season about four month,” Brockie said.

These vegetables will be sold at the cooperative, he said.

Diabetes is a major concern on the reservation, he said. Fresh vegetables are the best solution to the poor diet that often causes diabetes.

The cooperative will also help keep money on the reservation, he said, making Fort Belknap more self-sustaining.

The project is a combined effort of the tribal government the Fort Belknap Economic Development Council.