Food First

The condition in which people live, learn, work and play effect a wide-range of health risks and outcomes. Did you know that healthcare is 1/5 of the economy? DHHS spends over $1trillion/year on healthcare for seniors and low income people through Medicare and Medicaid. Let's put FOOD FIRST and try to spend better.

Hear from Michelle Marshall, VP of Social Determinants of Health at Solera Network. Michelle is a catalyst and a true thought leader with a strong passion behind the mission of providing healthy and nutritious food.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We have two strong links that are standing in the gap for others on this week's show - Governor Elect Gretchen Whitmer and Duane Berger, Director of Business and Innovation at Kinexus.

Gretchen's segment was recorded before the primary's and she was already determined get behind the mission of creating a food secure state. Recently she released her Health Plan stating that there would be strong food policy coordination as well as a Director of food security - this is great news! Read the full plan here - https://bit.ly/2DGWPti

Duane is using his one handful of life to help create a better life for others. Kinexus' We is compiled of agents who create solutions for business, workforce, and community challenges to promote economic vitality in the southwest Michigan region. Duane and his team partnered with Feeding America West Michigan for mobile distribution pantries to be sent to their member companies on a regular basis - by doing so, food barriers dropped down to a '5' in terms of stressors.

It takes courage to define reality and Dr. Fritz Erikson, president of Northern Michigan University, and Nicole Edmonds, Director of MSU Student Food Bank, do just that by changing the conversation around food insecurity across college campuses.

Harambee is a KiSwahili word that means to ‘pull together’. The Michigan Harvest Gathering is definitely a “Harambee” type of event. We find the need of people struggling to have enough food causes toxic stress in every community. MHG isn’t just about the need, it is also about the opportunity.

Phil and Gerry discuss the 28th annual Michigan Harvest Gathering and the impact the continued efforts made by partners, sponsors and SOM employees. We hear from Carolyn Bloodworth, Director of Corporate Giving of Consumers Energy; Terry Rhadigan, ED of Corporate Giving of GM Foundation; and Brian Peters, CEO of Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

Michigan is one of the most rapidly aging states in the nation. The percentage of residents age 65 and older—now at approximately 15%—is expected to jump to nearly 22% by 2050. This is great - people are living longer, but how do we address their needs?

Paula Cunningham, CEO and State Director of AARP Michigan discusses the “Disrupting Disparities: A Continuum of Care for Michiganders 50 and Older” with Phil and Gerry. Paula is a true leader by defining reality and will not leave things the way she found them.

Phil, Gerry, State Senator Jim Ananich and Clarence Garner, Superintendent of Grand Blanc Community Schools, discuss Lunch Shaming.

Senator Ananich recently introduced the Senate Bill 1078 - the Hunger-Free Student Bill of Rights. The students aren't the ones making the decisions, but they're the ones who are being punished and humiliated in front of their peers.

Hunger deprives our children of more than just food - it's a simple fact. Did you know that 1 in 6 children may not know where their next meal is coming from? Tune in to hear from Lawrence Burns, CEO of Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation discuss the foundation's pathways to healthy lives.

No one can solve hunger alone. Even with a good economy, there are children in EVERY school district that are food insecure. Tune in to hear about innovations and trends from Joe Wald, ED of Greater Lansing Food Bank and Markell Miller, Director of Community Food Programs at Food Gatherers.

Phil’s motto and basis of this week’s show – Being logically consistent. Phil, Gerry and guest, David Lee, ED of Feeding Wisconsin, discuss the logical inconsistencies of politics, policies and philosophies.

How close are we to solving food insecurity? Tune in to hear Phil and Gerry discuss our work with The Paul W. Smith Show​.