Ben Jacobs, a member of the Osage Nation of northeast Oklahoma, is co-founder of Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery and Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace based in Denver Colorado. Tocabe restaurant first opened its doors in December 2008 adding a second location in 2015 and food truck in 2016.
In 2021 Ben helped launch Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace. Tocabe’s marketplace is an online resource helping further advance the Native and Indigenous food system and support the development of a Native specific supply chain. The marketplace is designed as a multifaceted concept supporting both the Native and Indigenous food system along with generating a cyclical economic driver for tribal communities maintaining economic development. Over the last 15 years as a professional chef and restaurateur Ben has continually traveled to tribal communities throughout the US and Canada learning firsthand about traditional ingredients, cooking methods, techniques and recipes to help share the stories of those holding Native cooking wisdom. For over a decade on a national level Ben has worked with the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations advocating for feeding Native peoples while supporting how best to incorporate local and traditional ingredients in collaboration with commodity ingredients to support better individual health and nutrition.
In 2023 Ben was appointed to a council seat on the President’s Council on Sports Fitness and Nutrition. The President’s Council consists of physicians, professional athletes, fitness experts, food professionals and entrepreneurs to serve in an advisory role to the Secretary of Health and Human Services advocating for support to help Americans live healthier lives. Along with his seat on the President’s Council, Ben was also appointed to the USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee supporting and advocating for Native's Farmers, Ranchers and caretakers of the land.