Food First

October 3, 2021 - Food for Thought

October 3, 2021 - Monologue

Tune in for Food First Michigan on WJR Radio this Sunday at 9:00 PM to hear Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, discuss how as the economy reengages, the role food banks will have in assisting people as they lift themselves out of poverty..

Traditionally and historically, food banking has used a need-based messaging to tell the story of our work and the families that we serve. However, during this once-in-a-century public health crisis, the U.S. and state governments have responded by creating programs and enacting legislation which has helped lift many families out of poverty. Advocacy surrounding SNAP, P-EBT, TEFAP, Trade Mitigation, the Child Tax Credit, and more has played an important role in driving food insecurity rates downward to the lowest rates in 40+ years.

Now, what’s our message? How does the food bank network pivot to address the current level of need and should we expect the current situation to last? This is an unprecedented opportunity in the Michigan food bank network’s history. Understanding the measure of food insecurity and the lived experiences of our clients are critical for us to go to the next level of food security statewide.

Whether you are pre-pandemic, during-the-pandemic, post-pandemic – if you are worried about where your next meal is coming from, you only have ONE problem. WE are a large part of the long-term solution to creating food security. When hunger is truly taken off the table for people, they are able to focus on finding their next SUCCESS!

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

#HungerActionMonth

#HAM

September 19, 2021 - Food for Thought

September 19, 2021 - Monologue

Knowledge is power.

This weekend Dr. Stephen Borders, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences / Director of Health Administration at Coastal Carolina University joins Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank on Food First Michigan. Tune in on WJR Radio Sunday at 9:00 PM to hear how Dr. Borders is helping our food bank network use the Geographic Informational Systems [GIS] and analytics to not just do more, but do BETTER!

Steve is a hunger champion and continues to stand in the gap for the families we serve. He is helping the FBCM network rise to new levels by thinking differently than we have in the past. He is helping us acquire knowledge about our work, the families we serve, and the communities we serve them in.

We must figure out not only how to provide “more” food, but BETTER food. In addition, we must grow in our understanding of barriers to accessing food. There is A LOT for us to learn as we continue to grow in our work, but it would not be possible without the data and knowledge behind it.

Knowledge is power and it IS powerful. The more we know the more we can discern, discover, and develop ideas that create positive solutions. Data, analytics, research, pilot projects are all part of our scientific approach to creating a food secure Michigan.

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

September 12, 2021 - Monologue

September 12, 2021 - Food for Thought

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana

“Only look back to see how far you have come.”

This week’s guest applies both of these concepts in her book, “Reinventing Food Banks and Pantries: New Tools to End Hunger.” Tune in for Food First Michigan this Sunday at 9 PM to hear Dr. Phil, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Dr. Katie Martin, executive director of Foodshare Institute Hunger Research and Solutions discuss her book and how she is helping shape the food bank network so we have the ability to better position ourselves to solve hunger by creating food security. Not only is Katie an author, she is a fellow food banker, and a Ph.D. researcher – a true thought leader!

Katie is calling for change and providing a knowledgeable guide on how to do so – building on what we have and learning to do and be better. It simply takes more than food to solve hunger. Some of the non-negotiables that Katie shares toward the end of her book as well as discussed on the show are of the following:

Emergency to empowerment;

Sympathy to empathy;

Pounds of food to nutritional quality of food;

Embarrassment to engagement;

Communication to collaboration.

Michigan shares ALL of these values listed above. The #1 goal across the Michigan food bank network, is to ensure that every Michigander in need has adequate access to healthy and nutritious food in dignified means. Scott Piggott, CEO of Michigan Farm Bureau [a repeat guest and fellow thought leader] shared with Phil that people don’t fear change, they fear loss. Perhaps this is what holds organizations back from believing they’re capable of more. ALL of us can do A LOT by keeping #FOODFIRST!

To purchase / learn more about “Reinventing Food Banks and Pantries: New Tools to End Hunger.”  https://amzn.to/3h69sPS

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

June 27, 2021 - Food for Thought