Food First

Do you believe that food security is solvable?

Food security is not just a Michigan challenge, it is a global one. Global estimates state that by 2050, there will be 9.7 billion people in the world, and we will require approximately 70% more food than what we consume now. The SOLUTION to meet these needs requires a cross-sector approach with an emphasis on food loss and waste; including analyzing consumption of food purchased and distributed, and agriculture productivity with metrics of the impact on global climate and the environment.

There is NO other way; the challenge both locally and globally is too big to overcome without cross-sector collaboration.

This week we are accompanied by the famous author, NPR podcast host of “Serving up Science” and instiller of positive change, Sheril Kirshenbaum. Sheril’s work focuses on addressing food security challenges while looking at how climate change impacts food availability. To hear more about the work, be sure to watch “Power Trip: The Story of Energy” on PBS {https://amzn.to/3qJIbG8}.

Be mindful of our future.

We are not doing enough in terms of how we produce and use food. However, there is hope. There are signs that technologies and attitudes are evolving to address these challenges, which warrants optimism for where food is headed.

The challenges we face, though daunting, should not prevent us from optimism for the future!

The Michigan food bank network’s challenge is to CREATE positive change in the world of the families who deal with the toxic stress of food insecurity. More people are rallying around the cause, and we are gaining momentum to overcome this challenge. Join us by keeping #FOODFIRST!

The pandemic is [finally] subsiding, vaccinations are rising, and the saying “back to normal” is heard with prevalence. Applying what we have learned about ourselves and food security across our communities begins with understanding that prior to the pandemic, that there were 1.3 million food insecure Michiganders. The number skyrocketed to close to 2 million people amid the pandemic, but has been decreasing over the past few months. For those 1.3 million Michiganders who were struggling with food insecurity prior to the pandemic, “back to normal” really does not have much appeal. Their return to normal is tradeoffs every month between utilities, rent, food, medicine, transportation, and other life necessities. Who wants that? No one!

Tune in for Food First Michigan with Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, on WJR Radio at 9 PM to hear their ideal of a “new normal and BEYOND!” Let’s go back to normal and beyond – taking what we have learned, applying it, and building the future.

We often discuss the safety net designed to help “catch” those who need it. However, we find that there are policies within the safety net that are counterproductive to helping people find success and become self-sufficient. Work supports are designed to help people live independently. Examples include food assistance, housing assistance, and childcare. However, by the time one earns approximately $13 / hour, they become ineligible for many of these supports. We drop people off of a financial cliff and de-incentivize work. This MUST change!

Albert Einstein wisely said, “We can’t solve problems with the same kind of thinking that we used to create them.” While we did not create the pandemic, food security is a manmade problem. We need to think DIFFERENT, BETTER, & TOGETHER!

Let’s glean from our shared experiences, pool our resources, partner with purpose, and provide solutions by thinking differently than when we created the problem. Let’s start 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

#FoodFirstMI

#FoodSecurity

#MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

June 6, 2021 - Food for Thought

June 6, 2021 - Monologue

“A big business starts small.” - Richard Branson

Tune in for Food First Michigan with Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Rob Fowler, CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), tonight at 11 PM or tomorrow at 9 PM on WJR Radio. Rob is no stranger to excellence and growth as he has led SBAM to major growth over the past 21 years. SBAM started with approximately 5,000 members and has since grown to 30,000 members! Rob recently announced his retirement and shared his excitement for Brian Calley, president of SBAM, to become the new CEO as well.

Rob has dedicated a large portion of his life to standing in the gap for the families who own small businesses, specifically aiming to be the voice of small businesses amid the pandemic. With Michigan being the 5th most expensive state for childcare, parents were put in an even harder place than they already were to begin with. Phil, Gerry, and Rob delve into the benefits cliff, the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Michigan [https://bit.ly/3hYyt1K], and policy changes. The benefits cliff has been around for far too long. It did not arise due to the pandemic and the pandemic has heightened its impact on Michiganders.

Wouldn’t it be tremendous if work supports, food, childcare, and housing actually supported work? Instead, we de-incentivize work with policies currently in place. When people are finally able to earn $13 / hour, they become ineligible for work supports, but are still $6 - $8 away from being self-sufficient. SBAM has stood strong and firmly on work supports and helping the families that are impacted. The first step out of poverty is food security; you cannot focus on solving any other toxic stressors if you are not well fed.

George Washington Carver’s quote, “No one has the right to come into this world and go out of it without leaving behind him or her a distinct and legitimate reason for having passed through it,” embodies Rob. Although Rob is retiring, we have no doubt that he will continue to go into the world and do good!

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

May 30, 2021 - Food for Thought

May 30, 2021 - Monologue

“Peace if possible, but truth at all costs.” –Martin Luther

Tune in for Food First Michigan on WJR Radio tonight at 9:00 PM to hear from Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Kim Trent, Deputy Director for Prosperity with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Kim also serves on the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities as well as the Michigan Food Security Council with our very own, Dr. Phil.

Kim is using her one handful of life and the extraordinary opportunity to shape, mold, and produce her impact on the world. She is a product of her time and chooses to act on the TRUTH! The COVID-19 pandemic has peeled back layers of disparities and put injustices on full display. While tragedy birthed the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, it enabled our state to acknowledge racial disparities and develop strategies to address them. The Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities is seizing the moment to ensure the lessons that we have learned amid the pandemic can lift people up outside the pandemic. To read the full report from the task force, click here  https://bit.ly/3f2EJSG

Phil, Gerry, and Kim also delve into a candid conversation about the benefits cliff. 47% of people who seek food assistance have at least household member working one job, if not two or three. Many receiving benefits are AFRAID to say yes to economic mobility because it would make them ineligible to receive much needed assistance, NOT because they do not want to work hard and excel. If benefits recipients make too much their assistance is cut which can mean losing the ability to move onto their next success or to solve a crisis. We MUST address the benefits cliff in a meaningful way and lift people up.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put disparities on center state. Our job is to UNITE and create the personal will that will give us the political will to strip disparity of its power over us and remove its ability that blinds us. We must replace disparity with the light of EQUITY that promotes, provides, and empowers; thus creating access to the fundamental elements of life and guaranteeing they are available to EVERYONE, no matter their zip code.

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

May 23, 2021 - Food for Thought

May 23, 2021 - Monologue