February 27, 2022 - Food for Thought

“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” – Tanzanian Proverb

John van Hengel, the father of food banking, created ripples of positive change that are still being felt today. John led by example that significance is more important than success. John began distributing unsellable food from grocery stores to agencies that wanted to help their communities. Ergo, America’s first food bank.

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio to hear Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, discuss the fundamentals of food banking in Michigan and why the work is so important. Having been in this work for 30 + years, Gerry is a subject matter expert.

The charitable food system provides food access for vulnerable people in nearly every community in the United States. Food banks are critical in addressing community health disparities through the food and related services they provide. People get involved in this work because they care for people. WE are ALL part of this work.

This is who we are. The needs, our methods, the sophistication to do this work is ever-changing, but the mission does not. Solver hunger today – create food security ASAP!

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

February 20, 2022 - Food for Thought

February 20, 2022 - Monologue

Four years ago, Dr. Phil and Gerry started Food First Michigan with the intent of changing the conversation about food security in Michigan. The reason we can see farther is because we’ve been standing on the shoulders of giants - giants that have joined the movement of creating a food secure state. This charge is born out of believing food insecurity CAN be solved and that it is in the best interest of EVERYBODY in the community for it to be solved.

Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio with Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and John Roberts, interim president of Advantasure and a member of the Food Bank Council of Michigan Board of Directors, to hear why John has joined our movement and discuss the importance of the Social Determinants of Health [SDoH].

John is an influencer - a leader who has served at the top levels of State Government and is unafraid to help others when they are in need. Food is centric to our lives and we believe that food insecurity is an issue that can unite us – it is a non-partisan issue that drives change! Where there is no vision, the people perish. But, where there is no money, the vision perishes.

John got involved in this movement because he wants a community that is equitable and thrives. He has come alongside of us in many ways. Leaders are influencers. When people who lead want to use their influence for the greater good and the welfare of others, it is impactful!

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

February 13, 2022 - Food for Thought

February 13, 2022 - Monologue

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on our nation’s food systems and economy, forcing millions of Americans to turn to the emergency food network for aid. Food banks, food pantries, and other community organizations have stepped up to meet the increase in need.

Tune in for Food First Michigan on WJR Radio this Sunday at 9:00 PM to hear from Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Carrie Calvert, vice president of government relations for Feeding America, for the conversation focusing on agriculture and nutrition.

Carrie helps make sure Congress and the Administration understand what is happening among our food bank network and the support that we need. Dr. Phil, Gerry, and Carrie delve in to two impactful programs for our food bank network, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program [LFPA] and The Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP] Reach and Resiliency Initiative. Carrie helps us understand the intent of the programs, the opportunities, and what YOU can do to help us reach the next level of food security across Michigan.

The United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] has been provided $1 billion to invest in the nation’s emergency food network. At this time, $50 million in TEFAP Reach and Resiliency grants are being made available to TEFAP state agencies on a competitive basis. The LFPA program is part of the “Build Back Better” initiative, authorized by the American Rescue Plan. The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The program will award up to $400 million through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to support local, regional, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through the purchase of domestic local foods.

What does it mean to cancel a load of food for Michigan? It means that families and underserved communities do not receive much-needed food. This is unacceptable – we CAN do better!

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

February 6, 2022 - Food for Thought

February 6, 2022 - Monologue