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Traditional Foods

Traditional Foods in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to indigenous and traditional foods from many cultures. The USDA and DPI encourage the service of these foods in the USDA School Meals Programs. Traditional foods increase program participation, fruit and vegetable consumption, and students' knowledge and awareness of the food and culture Wisconsin has to offer! Below are resources to support the incorporation of traditional foods.

Southeast Asian Traditional Foods in USDA School Meals Programs: A Wisconsin Farm to School Toolkit

Wisconsin is home to a large and vibrant Hmong American community. The Southeast Asian Traditional Foods Toolkit highlights traditional Hmong foods which which draw strong influence from by Southeast Asian cuisine and reflect the dishes commonly prepared and enjoyed by Hmong families. Below are examples of traditional Hmong foods that can be featured in USDA Meal Programs: 
 

southeast asian toolkit cover

  • Rice (jasmine rice, calrose rice, glutinous sticky rice, and rice noodles)
  • Fresh vegetables (leafy greans, squashes and squash vine tips, beans, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, chili peppers, herbs, and aromatics)
  • Chicken
  • Eggs
  • Pork
  • Fish and Wild Game
  • Stock or Broth
 HMoob Harvest of the Month Information Sheets: These handouts feature 21 different HMoob fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Each sheet highlights HMoob varieties, their cultural significance, and includes a recipe to try.
squash

American Indian Traditional Foods

American Indian traditional foods are those that have been traditionally prepared and consumed by an American Indian nation. The following are examples of common, traditional foods in Wisconsin that may be served in USDA School Meals Programs:
 
  • Berries (cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, strawberries)
  • Bison
  • Fish (walleye, sturgeon, trout, salmon)
  • Maple syrup
  • Potatoes
  • The Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash)
  • Wild rice
  • Venison

American Indian Traditional Foods in USDA School Meals Programs: A Wisconsin Farm to School Toolkit

 

In 2016, DPI's Bureau of School Nutrition was awarded a USDA Support Services grant to increase the utilization of traditional foods in school meals programs. Through this grant, the following resources were developed for school nutrition professionals:

american indian toolkit cover

American Indian Traditional Foods Toolkit

Nutrition Education videos:

Some wild rice and maple syrup footage and imagery appear through kind permission of Wisconsin Public Television.

Additional Resources

Contact

Christina Rothe, RDN, CD
Public Health Nutritionist
(608) 266-2582