The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE) is partnering with the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, (NAPI) to expand offerings to customers at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, Fire Rock Navajo Casino and Northern Edge Navajo Casino. The partnership allows local Navajo farmers to provide key ingredients for many of NNGE’s popular restaurant dishes, puts dollars directly in the hands of Navajo families and is another way NNGE provides jobs and economic support to the Nation.
“Partnering with the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry and its Navajo Pride brand products is just one component of NNGE’s larger commitment to buy Navajo and support hardworking Navajos across the reservation,” stated Derrick Watchman, CEO of NNGE. “The opportunity to use Navajo Pride agricultural products allow our properties to provide world-class cuisine, generate revenue and jobs for the Navajo people and better showcase Navajo culture to our guests.”
The NAPI encompasses 75,000 acres of environmentally sensitive farmland located near Farmington, New Mexico, and is one of the largest tracts of contiguous farmland in the nation. Its Navajo Pride brand agricultural products include high quality potatoes, corn, beans, barley, wheat, oats and more.
“We are proud that guests at NNGE’s properties in Flagstaff, Gallup and Farmington will be enjoying our high quality Navajo Pride brand products,” said Tsosie Lewis, CEO of NAPI. “We work very hard to provide superior products at competitive prices, while minimizing negative impacts on the land through our Conservation Stewardship Program. Most important however, is our ability to provide economically for future generations through thoughtful and strategic business partnerships with individuals like Mr. Watchman and his team at Navajo Gaming.”
Navajo Gaming is currently including two types of flour, pinto beans and russet potatoes in its entrees – and will continue expanding as additional products are in season or needed at its properties.
1. Pinto Beans: The pinto bean is a Native cultural food and grown by Navajo farmers in an ideal ecosystem and irrigated with pure Rocky Mountain snow. The pinto beans are light in color and graded U.S. No. 1.
2. Russet Potatoes: Fresh Navajo Pride brand potatoes are Global Gap Certified in a variety of Russets, Golds and Reds. Available sizes include A’s, B’s, Bakers and Premiums.
3. Tortilla Flour: NAPI grows premium varieties of wheat, which are milled at the Navajo Pride Flour Mill to produce a variety of flour mixes. NNGE currently purchases All Purpose Flour and Whole-Wheat Flour for use in cooking and baking. Both types of flour are made from a hard, red winter wheat.
What makes the Navajo Pride brand so unique is it’s entirely owned and operated by Navajo people – who take pride in producing products for retail, repackaging or direct sale to customers. All products are competitively priced and the NAPI’s location provides a freight advantage over other U.S. producers to the Southwestern markets of the U.S. and to Mexico.
To taste Navajo Agricultural Products, visit Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Northern Edge Navajo Casino or Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort or make a reservation at www.twinarrows.com.
###
About Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort:
Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort showcases Navajo culture and features commissioned Navajo artists’ original paintings and other artworks. The 267,000-square-foot, $230 million facility includes 1,100 slot machines, 12 table games, four poker tables, live Keno, a five-story hotel with 90 rooms and suites, 16,000 square foot banquet and conference center, fully equipped fitness center, heated indoor pool and six distinct dining concepts. In May 2014 an additional 110 hotel rooms will be complete. Visit www.twinarrows.com to learn more or book a room.
About the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise:
The NNGE is a Navajo Nation wholly-owned business entity created by the Navajo Nation in September 2006. NNGE is authorized by the Navajo Nation to develop and operate Navajo casinos in accordance with federal and Navajo Nation laws, as well as the negotiated Navajo Nation-applicable state compacts (New Mexico and Arizona).
NNGE opened its first Navajo Casino on Nov. 19, 2008 – Fire Rock Navajo Casino in Church Rock Chapter, near Gallup, N.M. The second Navajo Casino opened Oct. 13, 2010 – Flowing Water Navajo Casino in Tsé Daak’áán Chapter, near Shiprock, N.M. The third Navajo Casino opened Jan. 16, 2012 – Northern Edge Navajo Casino – in Upper Fruitland Chapter, near Farmington, N.M. The fourth Navajo Casino – Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort – is located in Leupp Chapter, near Flagstaff, Ariz. Currently, the NNGE has 1,500 employees.