Food First

December 26, 2021 - Monologue

Food insecurity is a man-made problem. It exists because WE allow it to.

There is NO good that comes from food insecurity and make no mistake, taking hunger off the table is the first step in helping individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency.

This weekend on Food First Michigan, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president & CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, wax philosophical about food insecurity and its origins, and discuss the practical measures our network is doing to rid Michigan of it.

Tune in for the informative conversation this Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio or NewsTalk 760 AM.

We often take a broad brush and attempt to rationalize the existence of complicated issues like food insecurity using one size fits all, flawed explanations. We may view food insecurity as a symptom of poverty when in fact, there is evidence for food insecurity being a root cause of poverty. The discussion dives into the history of food insecurity and the role government has played in addressing the needs of its citizens. We must view food insecurity within the complex context that it exists and involve those who have a vested interest in finding a solution.

Hidden hunger exists in each community – whether we see it or not. Food insecurity did not start with us, but nonetheless it is our responsibility to end it. We start solving the problem of food insecurity by keeping #FOODFIRST!

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

november-28-2021-food-for-thought

november-28-2021-monologue

Four years ago, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, started Food First Michigan. Since then, the Food First Michigan audience has grown over 1,400% with listeners in over 13 countries. They began with the sole intent of changing the conversation around food security - they have done that and so much more!

Tune in this Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio to hear Phil and Gerry reflect on three pivotal conversations they had in the past year. The topic of each conversation centers on how our network moves forward to reach the next level of food security for our state. The three most important conversations were on the following subjects -

1. The value that food has in addressing poverty. Providing food to people today is a launchpad for them to achieve their next success in life.

2. Food insecurity is a man-made problem. When we put food first, we begin to address the underlying causes of not just hunger, but of poverty itself. Food insecurity is not being without food. It means the likelihood that you will be without food is great enough that you are uncertain whether you have it or not when you need it. On average, most people that are food insecure are missing five meals per week.

3. The trauma associated with food insecurity. Food insecurity causes individuals to shrink and disengage. Children who grow up in a food insecure household experience a trauma that can stay with them long-term.

Busting myths about the value of food, seeing food insecurity as a problem of our own making and attempting to understand the trauma that food insecurity infuses into a family are three of the most important topics of shows that Phil and Gerry have produced this year. They may not win awards, but these shows played an important role in creating a greater understanding about the difficult challenge we face in creating a food secure Michigan.

Thank you all who have joined the movement and continue to stand alongside of us by keeping #FOODFIRST!

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

November 21, 2021 - Food for Thought

November 21, 2021 - Monologue

Food insecurity is stressful and causes people to shrink and become disengaged. This weekend on Food First Michigan, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president & CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, unpack the impact of food insecurity on families across the state, how they cope, and why the work of the food bank network is so vital.

How do families cope with food insecurity? Phil and Gerry explain the strategies used by people – both food secure and food insecure – to afford food. Dr. Alyssa Beavers with Wayne State University provided information on these strategies which include relying more on hunting and fishing, relying more on foraging, buying food on credit, borrowing money from friends or family, relying more on growing food, getting food from food pantries, accepting food from friends or family, stretching meals by eating less, buying foods that do not go bad quickly, and buying different or cheaper foods.

The toxic stress of food insecurity is lived out in different ways. It changes people and can cause stress to build up. This added stress can cause individuals to respond differently to daily problems than they would if the toxic stress of food insecurity was not there. Food insecurity can also be a trauma for some. Children who grow up in a food insecure household experience a trauma that can stay with them long-term.

Supply chain interruptions and forces in the economy are adding even more pressure to those fighting food insecurity. The food bank network in Michigan is working to provide access to food in a variety of ways to help create stability. Hunger isn’t bigger than we are, it isn’t better than we are, and it is not beyond us to solve! Join us in keeping #FOODFIRST!

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

November 14, 2021 - Food for Thought

November 14, 2021 - Monologue