Food First

As we frequently say on Food First, solving hunger starts in the field!

Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson catch up with Senator Roger Victory​ who took a break from his work on Victory Farms to speak on the show. Senator Victory represents Michigan’s 30th District located in Ottawa County. In this episode of Food First Phil, Gerry, and Senator Victory discuss the tough weather conditions Michigan farmers faced this spring, how infrastructure impacts both agriculture and food banking, and how using data is critically important when addressing the challenge of food insecurity.

A true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out. Senator Roger Victory has been that kind of friend to the Food Bank Council and to the agricultural community. Be sure to get caught up on the innovative and inspiring conversation at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/.

Defining the reality of living in poverty by Phil Knight

We are overwhelmed with opportunities and the only thing that goes faster than time is an opportunity!

Listen in to Food First tonight as Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson discuss the three principles of great partnerships - shared priorities, shared pain, and shared payment. These principles are key in every partnership from individual relationships to multifaceted collaborations.

Phil and Gerry explore the shared priorities, pain, and payment in the food bank network’s collaborations with the healthcare system. When hunger is taken off the table in a household everyone is healthier. The priority of creating food security in Michigan through greater access to healthy and nutritious food aligns with the triple aim of healthcare which is better health, better care, and lower cost. Listen in to find out how the priorities align and what opportunities for additional collaboration with the education system are ahead!

Catch Food First Michigan on Sunday at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio or Newstalk 760 AM. Be sure to get caught up on the innovative and inspiring conversation at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/.

Hear the LAST Food for Thought episode! Don't worry - you still get to hear Phil and Gerry's thought-provoking conversations on a weekly basis, just under a new name: Food First.

Not only are Phil and Gerry changing the conversation about food insecurity, but they are embodying a movement that will help us accomplish both the personal and political will to bring about social change.

1 in 6 children go to bed hungry and wake up hungry and that is absolutely unacceptable. FOOD FIRST, not second and certainly not third! Continue to be a part of the conversation and join us in the movement in this necessary social change - we are the future!

Be sure to get caught up on all of the innovating and inspiring conversations - www.foodsecuremichigan.org

Sourcing food is a key paramount practice that we must be GREAT at. We must source food like lives depend on it because they do. From farmers to our hungry neighbors who are struggling with more month than money - we cannot accept anything less than greatness.Although Michigan's growing season is short, we are the 2nd most agriculturally diverse state in the nation. Hear from Jeannie Igle a 4th generation farmer on Hawkins Homestead and Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - MDARD Director Gary McDowell.Both Jeannie and Director McDowell discuss the increasing stress that farmers are facing due to the detrimental weather as well as the extreme ripple effect on the economy, trade and food. Farming relies heavily on the weather and this is one of the wettest seasons we have seen in years and there is nothing we can do about it. We may all be sick of the rain, but it goes beyond that for the farmers, this is their livelihood.

Be sure to get caught up on all of the innovating and inspiring conversation - https://www.foodfirstmi.org/

Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with the Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Farm Bureau, Scott Piggott.

The Michigan Farm Bureau is an organization that stands in the gap for farmers all across the state. Scott is a wealth of information on Michigan’s agricultural community. In this episode of Food First, we discuss Michigan Farm Bureau’s innovative way of educating children through their mobile FARM Science Labs, how trade mitigation impacts Michigan farmers, and how the abnormal weather affects the already abbreviated growing season.

We are all here to take hunger off the table! Be sure to get caught up on the innovative and inspiring conversation at https://www.foodfirstmi.org/.

Every one of us at every level should starve our distraction and feed our focus when it comes to food insecurity. If we focus on Food First in all of our endeavors and ask the question of the priority of food in all of our efforts - a major cultural shift will take place in our state.

Hear from influencers that are making Food First a reality. In this episode we have Carl Bednarski, president of Michigan Farm Bureau; State Senator Peter MacGregor and State Representative Angela Witwer; and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist.

A little tease of the powerful conversations that were had:

Carl discusses how food security starts in the field with the farmers, not the grocery stores. Senator MacGregor and Representative Witwer do a joint interview to share their passion for hunger being the one issue that unites us all. Lastly, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist discusses governance being a full-contact sport and helping people where they're at - not where you want them to be.

We are thankful for the role that food security plays in all of our guests thought process - they are helping create the movement of FOOD FIRST!

Be sure to get caught up on all of the innovating and inspiring conversation -https://www.foodfirstmi.org/

The first of our newly re-branded show, Food First Michigan!

Phil and Gerry caught up with Rachel Hurst, Corporate Affairs Manager of Michigan Kroger and the new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Gordon at the Mackinac Policy Conference.

Although Director Gordon is new to MDHHS, he demonstrates the attributes of being a true leader who wants to make a difference. He wants to support the people on the front lines and see things from everyone's perspective - there is no doubt that he will make a difference in our state.

Rachel discusses Kroger's great efforts to helping solve food security with their Zero Hunger Zero Waste initiative - the past date does NOT mean past good! To learn more - https://www.kroger.com/f/zero-hunger-zero-waste

Be sure to get caught up on all of the innovating and inspiring conversations - https://foodsecuremichigan.org/

Can we talk? We are the solution and no one else is coming behind us - it's up to us to solve food security in this state.

'The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.' - William James

Tune to in tonight at 9 p.m. on WJR Radio or 760 AM to hear about how Joe Wald, executive director of the Greater Lansing Food Bank has lead a life legacy of helping the community. Phil said it best, 'the tide that raises one boat, raises all boats', which is a perfect reflection on Joe's character. The Food Bank Council of Michigan network will truly miss Joe's passion, kindness, and determination in solving food security.

Be sure to get caught up on all of the innovating and inspiring conversations - https://foodsecuremichigan.org/

'A good plan violently executed today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.'

Hear from Susan Hawkins, Senior VP of Population Health at Henry Ford Health System. No leader has emerged quite like Susan as she is helping create a sustainable difference in the lives of people and that is powerful!

Gleaners Community Food Bank and Henry Ford Health System recognized an opportunity to improve the health of patients who are already high-risk clinically (multiple chronic conditions) and are screened positive for food insecurity and in turn developed a pilot, Henry's Groceries. Case managers in three high-risk clinics screen patients for food insecurity and eligibility, and patients who accept enrollment in the program are offered a package of food (including fresh produce and frozen meats) every two weeks for six months.

The pilot will enroll 300 patients total, with expansion based on success. Measures include ED visits, admission and re-admissions experienced by the enrolled population. Susan is a true champion of the pilot and is standing in the gap for those who need it most.

Be sure to get caught up on all of the innovating and inspiring conversations at www.foodsecuremichigan.org.