Native American Food Brands to Know: A Guide to Indigenous Flavors and Producers
Discover how Native American-owned brands are redefining food traditions with unique products and cultural ingredients.
Native American Food Brands to Know
Interest in Native American food brands has grown significantly as more consumers seek ways to support Indigenous entrepreneurship, honor traditional ingredients, and diversify their culinary experiences. Today, a growing number of Native-owned companies and online marketplaces make it easier than ever to discover and purchase foods rooted in centuries-old practices — while celebrating the innovation shaping modern Indigenous cuisine.
Why Native American Food Brands Matter
- They preserve and promote Indigenous food traditions through authentic ingredients and recipes.
- Supporting these brands fosters economic empowerment within tribal communities.
- Native producers emphasize sustainable and locally sourced ingredients that honor the land.
- Consumers gain access to unique flavors and products not commonly found in mainstream supermarkets.
Major Native Food Marketplaces
Shoppers can discover a rich selection of Native food products through pioneering online marketplaces that curate goods from tribal producers and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Three major players stand out for their regional connections and commitment to cultural stewardship.
Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace
Founded by Ben Jacobs (Osage Nation) and Matt Chandra, Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace was launched in 2021 as an offshoot of their acclaimed Denver-based restaurant, Tocabe. The marketplace sources foods produced by Native farmers and ranchers, making it a “one-stop shop for everything Native food.” Their offerings range from maple syrup and olive oil to cornmeal and the popular blue corn pancake mix. Tocabe’s expansion includes plans for a “butcher box” featuring frozen cuts of bison, beef, fish, and elk sausage. Jacobs emphasizes choosing suppliers aligned with traditional values, and prioritizing Indigenous ranchers when sourcing bison and other proteins.
- Best-sellers: Maple syrup, olive oil, blue corn pancake mix.
- Upcoming products: Frozen butcher boxes with bison, beef, fish, elk sausage.
- Mission: Connect customers with authentic Native foods and promote responsible sourcing.
Sweetgrass Trading Co.
Launched in 2013 by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Sweetgrass Trading Co. is an online destination for Native-made products. During the pandemic, shoppers became more intentional about purchases, leading to increased demand for culturally significant ingredients like sage. Manager Molly Roe, a member of the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, encourages consumers to learn about the significance of Indigenous foods — such as wild rice — and experiment with them to honor local traditions.
- Featured items: Sage, wild rice, teas, and other Native-grown goods.
- Ethos: Support Native businesses and learn the stories behind the products.
Native Harvest Ojibwe Products
Another leading marketplace is Native Harvest Ojibwe Products, which connects shoppers to high-quality goods produced by Ojibwe tribal members. Their selections often highlight ingredients central to Indigenous diets — including wild rice, jams, syrups, and grains.
- Products: Wild rice, fruit jams, syrups, grains.
- Origin: Ojibwe tribal lands and producers.
Notable Native American Food Brands
A vibrant community of Native-owned brands is revitalizing traditional foods and developing new products reflecting their heritage.
Red Lake Nation Foods (Minnesota)
Based in Minnesota, Red Lake Nation Foods produces wild rice, teas, fish fry batter, jams, jellies, and syrups made from Indigenous fruits like chokecherries and plums. Their wild chokecherry syrup offers a tart, tannic flavor, while the wild plum syrup provides a subtly sweet alternative to typical fruit syrups.
- Signature products: Wild rice, chokecherry syrup, wild plum syrup, fruit jams.
- Flavor profile: Subtle, complex acidity, authentic Indigenous berries.
Sakari Farms (Oregon)
Sakari Farms, operated by the Inupiaq tribe, grows hot sauces, jams, seasonings, salts, herbs, and offers wellness products like lotions and scrubs. The farm also offers cooking classes and seed-saving workshops to cultivate cultural knowledge. Their Fire Roasted Hot Sauce blends smoked jalapeños and roasted onions for a uniquely bold, smoky flavor.
- Hot sauce varieties: Fire Roasted, Corn Prickle, Curry Squash.
- Additional products: Jams, seasonings, fresh herbs, wellness items.
Pemmican Patty (Chippewa)
Created by Patricia Mabin (Chippewa), Pemmican Patty celebrates the ancient Native tradition of pemmican — blending dried meats (bison, beef), tallow, and berries into energy-rich bars. Their Bisonberry Blends, including Blueberries & Sage and Cherries & Chipotle, offer a chewy, savory experience. The Cherries & Chipotle flavor adds a gentle smokiness that complements the rich meat base.
- Core product: Pemmican bars made with bison, berries, and herbs.
- Health benefits: High-protein, nutrient-dense, portable.
Navajo Mike’s (Arizona)
Founded by a chef of Navajo/Diné heritage in Tempe, Arizona, Navajo Mike’s offers fry bread mix, hot sauce, and barbecue sauces crafted around Southwestern flavors. Their Southwest Style Barbecue Sauce balances sweetness and black pepper for robust flavor, ideal for bison burgers and grilled meats. Other notable products include the Hatch Green Chili hot sauce and Skoden Style Golden Barbecue Sauce.
- Products: Fry bread mix, hot sauces, barbecue sauces.
- Flavor highlights: Southwest spices, Hatch green chili, black pepper.
Regional Producers and Tribal Farms
A number of Native-run farms and producers are central to distributing unique, locally grown ingredients nationwide.
- Dream of Wild Health (Minnesota): This Native-led farm distributes organic produce and supports youth programs and Indigenous Food Share CSA projects, cultivating fruits, veggies, and heritage crops.
- Ramona Farms (Arizona): A family-run operation on the Gila River Indian Reservation, Ramona Farms rescued the tepary bean from near-extinction and now grows various beans, wheat, and heritage corn.
- Wozupi Tribal Gardens (Minnesota): Owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Wozupi grows organic fruits, vegetables, and native edible plants, supplemented by seed-saving efforts.
- Bow & Arrow Corn (Colorado): Operated by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe since 1962, Bow & Arrow produces non-GMO corn varieties, including specialty cornmeal, using modern sustainability practices.
Traditional Indigenous Foods to Try
Native American brands often produce ingredients and dishes rooted deeply in their culinary heritage. Here are some traditional foods shoppers can discover through Indigenous producers:
- Wild rice: A staple grain for tribes in the northern U.S., wild rice is celebrated for its nutty flavor and high nutritional value.
- Pemmican: A survival food combining dried meat (usually bison or beef), fat, and berries for energy and preservation.
- Three Sisters: The combination of corn, beans, and squash — a foundational polyculture used in Native agriculture.
- Blue corn: Used in pancake mixes, cornmeal, and tortillas, blue corn is prized for its delicate texture and slightly sweet taste.
- Heritage beans: Varieties like tepary beans are valued for their resilience and nutritional density.
- Chokecherries, plums, and Indigenous berries: Used in jams, jellies, and syrups for their unique tartness and flavor complexity.
Purchasing Native Foods: What to Know
When buying Native American products, consumers are encouraged to:
- Explore ingredient stories: Ask how foods were sourced, and learn about their regional or tribal significance.
- Support responsible sourcing: Prioritize producers who use sustainable methods and supply chain transparency.
- Be adventurous: Experiment with less familiar ingredients, such as wild rice or tepary beans, to honor Native traditions and broaden your culinary repertoire.
| Brand/Producer | Location | Signature Product | Tribal Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace | Denver, Colorado (Online) | Maple syrup, butcher box, blue corn pancake mix | Osage Nation |
| Sweetgrass Trading Co. | Nebraska (Online) | Sage, wild rice, teas | Winnebago Tribe |
| Red Lake Nation Foods | Minnesota | Wild rice, chokecherry syrup, jams | Red Lake Nation |
| Sakari Farms | Oregon | Fire Roasted hot sauce, jams, herbs | Inupiaq Tribe |
| Pemmican Patty | Online | Bisonberry Blends (pemmican bars) | Chippewa Tribe |
| Navajo Mike’s | Tempe, Arizona | Fry bread mix, barbecue sauces, hot sauces | Navajo Nation |
| Ramona Farms | Gila River, Arizona | Tepary beans, heritage corn | Akimel O’odham (Pima) |
| Bow & Arrow Corn | Colorado | Specialty cornmeal | Ute Mountain Ute Tribe |
FAQs About Native American Food Brands
Q: Why is buying from Native American food brands important?
A: Purchasing from Indigenous brands helps support tribal economies, preserve traditional foodways, and promote cultural exchange and sustainability.
Q: Where can I buy Native American food products online?
A: The Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace, Sweetgrass Trading Co., and Native Harvest Ojibwe Products are leading online platforms for Native foods. Numerous tribal farms and independent producers also sell directly through their websites or local farmers markets.
Q: What are some traditional Indigenous ingredients to try?
A: Wild rice, blue corn, tepary beans, chokecherry syrup, sage, bison meat, and specialty jams are popular Native ingredients you may find across various brands.
Q: How do I know I’m buying from a genuine Native-owned business?
A: Research the brand’s background, look for tribal affiliations, and review supplier stories. Marketplace sites often highlight the origins and cultural connections of their vendors.
Honoring Indigenous Food Traditions
Whether you’re exploring classic staples like wild rice or innovative twists like bisonberry pemmican bars, Native American food brands provide exciting opportunities to savor Indigenous heritage and craftsmanship — while encouraging responsible, ethical sourcing and economic support. As these companies and marketplaces expand, the tapestry of Native cuisine continues to enrich America’s collective palate and reconnect modern kitchens with the land’s oldest stewards.
