Strengthen Native Foodways
November we honor Native Americans
As we enter November, a month synonymous with giving thanks, it is essential to reflect on the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Native American communities that have long called this land home.
We are dedicating this month to honoring Native American foodways, celebrating their contributions to our culinary landscape, and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their traditions.
To start the month, we invite you to shop Co+op Deals, Field Day products in our new flyer. From October 30th - December 3rd, 5¢ from every Field Day product sold will be donated in full to NĀTIFS, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems.
We invite you to shop for Co+op Deals Field Day products in our new flyer. For each product sold 5¢ will be donated to NATIFS! From October 30th - December 3rd, 5¢ from every Field Day product sold will be donated in full to NĀTIFS.
Celebrate Indigenous peoples and join us during the month of November as we work to raise funds for NĀTIFS.
Learn more about local tribes in these articles!
Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Williamstown, Massachusetts
History of Native American Tribes in Williamstown Massachusetts
The Roots of Native American Cuisine
Native American cuisine is deeply rooted in the land and seasons, reflecting a profound connection to nature. Traditional foods such as corn, beans, and squash—often referred to as the “Three Sisters”—are staples that have sustained Native communities for centuries. These crops are not only nutritionally balanced but also demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of sustainable agriculture. These ingredients play a major role in Native American culture.
Foraging and Wild Foods
Foraging for wild foods is a practice that has been passed down through generations of Native Americans. Our local environment is full of berries, nuts, and medicinal plants. We recommend you reach out to Arianna from HooRWA who is a local community foraging expert. She offers a breadth of tips on how to responsibly forage instructions. She can share tips on what is safe to eat and ideas on how to incorporate it into everyday meals. (click here to learn about Hoorwa and Arianna)
Traditional Cooking Methods
Traditional Native American cooking methods, such as roasting, smoking, and drying, are not only techniques for preserving food but also for enhancing its flavor and nutritional value.
Native-Inspired Dishes
Explore new foods to find new dishes that the Native American’s enjoyed for your Thanksgiving feast. By incorporating traditional ingredients and cooking methods into holiday meals, we can pay homage to the original stewards of this land. Click here to search for recipes on our partner grocery coop website.
In November we hope to foster a greater appreciation for Native American culinary traditions and their enduring legacy. By strengthening our connection to these foodways, we not only honor the past but also contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future. Join us at Wild Oats Market Co-op this November as we celebrate and give thanks for the rich cultural heritage of Native Americans in Williamstown, MA
WHO IS NATIFS -
North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS), founded by James Beard award winner The Sioux Chef, is dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. They imagine a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises.
THEIR MISSION -The mission is to promote Indigenous foodways education and facilitate Indigenous food access.
LEARN MORE ABOUT NĀTIFS - click here to visit NATIFS.
About Wild Oats Market
Wild Oats Market is a socially responsible co-op market that has been serving the Northern Berkshire County community for over four decades. As a collectively Member-Owned store, we have become the go-to destination for local, organic, specialty, bulk, and sustainable food options. Whether you’re passionate about social responsibility, environmental stewardship, fair trade practices, healthy eating, or supporting locally produced food, Wild Oats Market has something for everyone.
Here’s what you need to know about us:
Ownership: More than 1700 community members collectively own this co-op.
Location: Find us at 320 Main St, Williamstown, MA.
Hours of Operation: Store is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
Shopping Experience: Everyone is welcome to shop at Wild Oats Market. Whether you’re browsing the aisles, enjoying a meal in the café, enjoying our outside seating area or looking for ways to save, this co-op is your community hub.
Ways to Save: Check out our weekly deals and explore ways to save on fresh, organic, and local option on our Ways-to-Save page (click here).
Community Engagement: We actively support local non-profit organizations through programs like Every Penny Counts (click here) (formerly Round Up for Change) .
Environmental Commitment: We prioritize environmental stewardship by promoting local and fair-trade food production, renewable energy, composting, and recyclable packaging.
So, if you’re in Williamstown, make sure to visit us, where good food and community come together!
eNewsletter: Sign Up for Free (click here)CONTACT WILD OATS MARKET:
Netse Lytle, General Manager, WildOats.coop, 413-458-5317 x13, gm@wildoats.coop
