"Valorizing Staple Native American Food Plants
as Food Resilience Resource"

 

Zizania palustris (Northern Wild Rice)

Systematic Review Article Published in
"Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems,"
a part of Frontiers, an international journal
of multiple academic disciplines.

Accepted May 11, 2023

doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1117805

Authors

Daniel J. Winstead

The Pennsylvania State University

Michael G. Jacobson

The Pennsylvania State University

Francesco Di Gioia

The Pennsylvania State University

 

Abstract:

Increased risks from global climate change and sun-blocking global catastrophic risks (such as a nuclear winter) warrant the reevaluation of our food systems and their resilience to these climatic changes. The United States has shown little systematic effort to improve its agrobiodiversity, which is an easy way of increasing food system resilience, despite the vast amount of native genetic resources available in North America. In this study we use a systematic literature review of 174 staple Native American food plants (NAFPs) to determine the current state of research interest among them and suggest species of interest for domestication. The nutrient profiles and nutrient adequacy scores for the most researched staple NAFPs were collected and calculated. Using this information, we discuss potential actions, protocols, and ethical issues regarding future steps in using NAFPs to increase agrobiodiversity and food resilience in the United States through more resilient agroforestry systems.

PDF of Article: Full Content

 

Contact Daniel J. Winstead at

daniel ( dot ) winstead ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com

 

 
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