Food First

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead was a catalyst for change during the turbulent 1960’s. She was a leader in the truest sense – she thought better, before, and beyond. Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday on WJR Radio at 9 p.m. to hear from Dr. Phil, Gerry Brisson president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Tom Nugent, director of human resources for Michigan Farm Bureau. They discuss the power of people and their ability to make a difference. Tom is a farm kid by nature and has worked at Michigan Farm Bureau for 30+ years – he is committed to helping his fellow Michiganders.

Here in Michigan, there’s a not so small group coming together to create positive change in childhood food insecurity. Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies is spearheading an effort to get involved in the work of the food banks whose mission is to create a food secure state. Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies is committed to helping their members and effectuate a cause that we can rally around; ergo the for-purpose initiative of helping end childhood hunger.

The Family of Companies reaches wide in all 83 counties as they have over 1,000 employees and 400 agents and their staff, throughout the state. With service being a large component to success in food banking, the Family of Companies dedicates 3 days of volunteering at our 7 Feeding America food banks in June. We are grateful for the steadfast commitment of partners that continue to stand alongside of us in order to create a food secure state.

Food insecurity can be solved, one reason we believe it can be is because enough people want to see it happen.

To find more information on volunteering, visit: fbcmich.org or mi.gov/mcsc

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes, sponsored by @farmbureaumi at foodfirstmi.org, on @applepodcasts or @iheartradio.

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#foodsecurity

#foodfirsmi

#michiganfarmbureaufamilyofcompanies

May 22, 2022 - Food for Thought

May 22, 2022 - Monologue

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. And now is the time to understand more, so we can fear less.” - Marie Curie

The COVID-19 pandemic, the worst public health crisis since the Spanish Flu of 1918 and 1919, brought massive changes to ALL our lives. We are or will be going through the most radical transformation the world has ever seen. However, not all of the changes we experienced were pandemic related. The social unrest, policing, and justice were all brought to the forefront by the murder of George Floyd. It brought to light the racial inequity to the TOP of the nation’s mind.

Subsequent incidences continue to keep these fires of racial inequity burning bright. As the pandemic roared, we saw firsthand the dehumanizing effect of the lack of food access and healthcare [including testing and vaccines] occurring in communities of color.

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9 p.m. on WJR Radio to hear from Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, as they describe the journey that brought them here, the discoveries they’ve unearthed, and the path forward in the wake of new learnings, beginnings, and opportunities during these historic times.

While a lot has changed, some things have and WILL not, and that is where our food bank network’s beliefs, values, and commitment to helping the communities we serve steps in. Gaining insight, understanding, perspective, and eventual wisdom toward a better tomorrow is the work of leaders who care and have courage.

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes, sponsored by @farmbureaumi at foodfirstmi.org, on @applepodcasts or @iheartradio.

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#foodsecurity

#foodfirsmi

#DEI

#justice

May 14, 2022 - Food for Thought

May 14, 2022 - Monologue

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford

The labels we use to describe people or segments of our population cause those who hear the adjectives to categorize the people in question, making it difficult to withhold bias towards the group. Conservative is such a word. Tune in for Food First Michigan on Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio to hear Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, unpack why conservatives should care deeply about solving food security, the effectiveness of providing healthy and nutritious food, and the benefits cliff.

Misconceptions, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities all contribute to why conservatives are allegedly less engaged in the fight against hunger across our nation. This is not just about politics, administration or the legislature – it is about the people! We are never going to solve this problem with only half of the population. Many conservatives are deeply engaged and believe in our mission – they want to see the Michigan food bank network succeed.

The principle of doing more with less is essentially a conservative principle and that is a large component of why conservatives enjoy working with food banks. In some instances, we know it is less expensive and more efficient to give people money and sometimes it is less expensive and more efficient to give people the food they want and need. We need to balance these things with the correct amount of help in the right way. We must listen to understand, not to reply.

The benefits cliff is a term referring to when an individual’s income increases, and the amount of benefits they qualify for decreases. The threshold is 180% poverty, or about $11-$16 / hour, MI being around $14 / hour. Once this limit is met, no further benefits are received. Once the threshold is met, individuals must evaluate the value of benefits versus their earned income. There is a drop-off point where it is more beneficial to earn less and maintain the benefits than to work and receive regular raises. This disincentivizes people from the kinds of progress that they want to make to succeed in life.

Imagine what your community would like if no one was living under the toxic stress of food insecurity… what would economy would be like? Educational outcomes? Health and wellness indicators? What a GREAT vision for a better tomorrow!

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio.

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

#FoodFirst

April 24, 2022 - Food for Thought

April 24, 2022 - Monologue

“Life is never more fun than when you’re the underdog competing against the giants.” - Ross Perot

The recipe is always the same when you’re tackling the impossible. You start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and before you know it, the impossible is happening right before your eyes.

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio to hear from Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Sheril Kirshenbaum, executive director of Science Debate, host of Serving Up Science at PBS Digital Studios, and MSU academic specialist. Sheril continues to blind us with science and discussed two challenges that are seemingly impossible to solve: climate change and food insecurity. Sheril helps us understand the link between climate change and food security and how we might accomplish the impossible and change the outcome of both.

Sheril works at the intersection of agriculture and climate – studying how we produce, consume, and waste food. This all plays a huge role in the emissions we create, but also the opportunity we have to address climate change. Sheril says it best that, “food is the victim, the cause, and the solution to climate change.” If you’re interested in learning more, check out the books linked below:

Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katherine Heyhoe https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Us-Climate-Scientists-Healing/dp/1982143835/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16CVM99Z8O2FX&keywords=kathrine+heyhoe&qid=1641492647&s=books&sprefix=katherine+heyhoe%2Cstripbooks%2C101&sr=1-1

Tomorrow Table: Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food by Pamela C. Ronald and Raoul W. Adamchak https://www.amazon.com/Tomorrows-Table-Organic-Farming-Genetics/dp/0199342083/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z91IR4XTEV6X&keywords=Tomorrow+Table&qid=1641492698&s=books&sprefix=tomorrow+table%2Cstripbooks%2C94&sr=1-1

It’s not too late - let’s STOP arguing and START solving!

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio.

Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

#FOODFIRST

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople