Food First

Food is critical to understanding other people.

This weekend on Food First Michigan, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president & CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, welcome their guest Justin Winslow, the president & CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association.

We are kicking off the 31st annual Michigan Harvest Gathering with the Michigan Meal Challenge in partnership with the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. Be sure to tune in in this Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio or NewsTalk 760 AM to hear more about this year’s campaign. Come alongside the Michigan food bank network and the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association to support those who are still struggling by visiting feedmichigan.org.

On this edition of Food First Michigan, Justin defines reality on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the Michigan restaurant and lodging industry – and how the industry is recovering. We are thankful to have the MRLA as our partner in making Michigan a food secure state.

Change is certain. The challenge we have as leaders is to create positive change. The Michigan Harvest Gathering was started 31 years ago by Bill and Cynthia Schuette. Their impact lives on through the Michigan Harvest Gathering, which allows us to unite around the nonpartisan challenge of food insecurity. Let our generation be the one that puts and keeps #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-7-2021-food-for-thought

november-7-2021-monologue

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. There is strength in numbers – we are better together. Food insecurity is a challenge that cannot be solved alone. One is much too small of a number to multiply; we need more of you to join us in creating a food secure state.

This week the Food Bank Council of Michigan launched the 31st Michigan Harvest Gathering with a new twist of the Michigan Meal Challenge! We are grateful for our partners who share our concern and HOPE of creating a food secure state.

This week on Food First Michigan, Brian Peters, CEO of Michigan Health & Hospital Association, joins Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, to discuss MHA’s 20 + years of partnership with the Michigan Harvest Gathering on WJR Radio at PM. Brian is a leader who grasps the significance and severity of the impact that food insecurity has on people and communities. Throughout the years of partnership, MHA has raised just shy of $3,000,000 and collected 3.5 million pounds of food! It is not lost on us that the people who are giving care to others, care deeply for those who are struggling with food insecurity.

As the holiday season is upon us, join us in helping provide a healthy and nutritious meals for ALL Michiganders at FeedMichigan.org – you may shop the most requested food items or donate directly. Every $1 provides 5 meals.

Nothing of significance ever happens alone. We are thankful for the founders of the Michigan Harvest Gathering, Bill and Cynthia Schuette. The idea of a statewide food and funds drive to benefit the Food Bank Council of Michigan and our network started over their kitchen table.

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

#MHG2021

#MHA

October 31, 2021 - Food for Thought

October 31, 2021 - Monologue

Did you know that 48% of Americans watch on average more than six hours of television per week? 26% watch more than twelve hours per week. Whoa! That’s a lot of sitting.

We only have one handful of life and it should be invested and spent. We should be a part of something that is BIGGER than we are and last longer than we do. A person that embodies this philosophy of investing and spending her one handful of life is Paula Cunningham, state director of AARP of Michigan.

Tune in this Sunday for Food First Michigan at 9 PM to hear Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Paula discuss her passion for making sure no senior citizen struggles with the stress of food insecurity.

Paula has led a college [Lansing Community College], a bank [Capital National Bank], and now stands in the gap for senior citizens across Michigan. Paula recently joined the Board of Directors for the Food Bank Council of Michigan – her work and passion align perfectly with ours and she is part of the SOLUTION! Paula is driven by principles, integrity, and trust. She believes senior citizens need to be able to live their lives with dignity, respect, and choices.

AARP of Michigan was an integral partner in creating and distributing Senior Quarantine Boxes during the height of the pandemic as along with our partners at MDHHS, Area Agencies on Aging, and the Michigan Community Service Commission. The entire state came together to address the dire circumstances that seniors were facing. Neighbors helping neighbors.

Paula is a dynamic influencer and person – she is ready to work and get the job done! With people like Paula standing alongside of us, food insecurity can be solved! Our food bank network strives to make a difference by putting and 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

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

October 10, 2021 - Food for Thought

October 10, 2021 - Monologue

Influencing the influencers, decision makers, and policy makers who have great influence over our lives, community, and culture is imperative work. Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, were on Mackinac Island last week for the annual Mackinac Policy Conference and sharing our work with the masses. Tune in for First Michigan this Sunday on WJR Radio at 9 PM to hear how Phil and Gerry are igniting people’s passion about our purpose while meeting with some pertinent influencers: Dr. Genord, president and CEO of the Health Alliance Plan [HAP]; Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson; and, Ginna Holmes, executive director of the Michigan Community Service Commission [MCSC].

Phil, Gerry, and Dr. Genord discuss Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need – if our first basic needs [air, water, and food] are unmet, we are unable to go to the next level of development and attainment. Once “food is first,” hunger is able to come off of the table, and people are able to focus on their next successes. But, when you’re hungry, you only have ONE problem. Healthy and nutritious food is an empowerment for those that we serve.

Secretary of State Benson dreamt to empower those who had previously not been involved in the democratic process and that dream has come true! Michigan had the best voter turnout in its history in 2020 – that is powerful! The Michigan Secretary of State’s offices are removing barriers, such as transportation, and meeting people where they are at by having mobile offices throughout the state. Onward and upward!

Not all heroes wear capes. Ginna Holmes is a small town farm girl who grew up with the strong mentality of “neighbors help neighbors,” and it shows throughout her career path. Ginna’s commitment to help others is not lost on us and we are so grateful to have been able to partner with her and the commission throughout the COVID-19 public health crisis. Ginna also shares the MCSC’s new campaign, Michigan Heroes Project. The project is striving to archive the stories of what we accomplished together, but also inspire others to begin their hero journey. To learn more and / or submit a Michigan Hero that you know, visit https://miheroesproject.org. Our very own, Dr. Phil Knight, has been nominated as a Michigan Hero as he uses his one handful of life on creating a food secure state for his fellow Michiganders.

Join our movement by igniting your purpose and 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

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople