Food First

Of what use is a dream if not a BLUEPRINT for courageous action." Our food bank network and board of directors have courage, a vision and a passion for our mission. Tune in to hear about the Blueprint to SOLVE hunger in Michigan!

Heroes are made not born. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician, professor, and public health advocate whose research exposed the Flint water crisis. Dr. Mona turned anger into action by tackling huge problems, not just talking about them - she is force to be reckoned with and her voice will continue to be heard.

Tune in to hear discussion of her book, "What the eyes don't see", how she's turning sick care into healthcare, social determinants of health, how food truly is brain medicine and so much more!

Waste not. Want not.

Dr. Lisa Johnson is a Senior Research Scholar in the Department of Horticultural Science and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at North Carolina State University. Lisa has helped to develop and fund Whole Crop Harvest, a dynamic, interdisciplinary research program studying on-farm food loss with a focus on fresh market vegetable production in North Carolina. Waste has not been properly measured since the 60's.

Tune in to hear the importance of measuring waste in the field, development of solutions and the ROI.

Let's think better and bigger - simple, right? Tune in to hear the plethora of ways that Phil and Gerry are changing the conversation that surrounds food insecurity. They also discuss the changes of the SNAP benefits and who it effects the most - children and seniors. Did you know that 1 in 5 children are food insecure? Heartbreaking and unacceptable. Did you also know that more times than not, seniors will not receive assistance because they feel like they're taking it away from someone who needs it more than them. Again, heartbreaking.

Ken Nobis - not only is he President of Michigan Milk Producers Association, he is the First Vice Chair of the National Milk Producers Federation. With milk being one of the most requested items from our clients, Ken and his team at MMPA have been our champion by donating fresh milk to our food bank network resulting in a total milk donation of 164,250 gallons!

Every agricultural channel is much more complicated than at face value. While the dairy exports have increased dramatically, the dairy industry have worked tirelessly to build their own market with little help from the government. Ken also discusses the impact of the tariffs and trade have on milk. Tune in for so much more!

Tune in to get an accurate update about the Farm Bill from Carrie Calvert, Managing Director, Government Relations of Feeding America and learn how the Farm Bill effects everything regarding food - from farm to fork.

Phil and Gerry also delve into the measuring of food insecurity. Did you know that there are 15 federal food programs throughout the U.S.? Even with all of these resources, we've only met HALF the need of solving food security.

Tune in to hear from a leadership architect, consultant, author and change strategist, Sam Chand. Sam excels at helping organizations develop leadership and structure around issues that are often difficult to solve.

I leave you with this: "Your size and your speed are controlled by your systems and structures."

Interested in learning more about Sam - head on over to his website and be prepared to be blown away: http://www.samchand.com/

To those who do not understand history, they are condemned to repeat it. - Santayana

A lot of times, the term lobbyist is not met with a positive light until you work with someone like Stephanie Johnson, FBCM's lobbyist. Stephanie is a managing partner at Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore - the strength of her character, passion and integrity make her a pleasure to work with.

Phil, Gerry and Steph discuss the role of advocacy in our work, the history and process of MASS (MI Agricultural Surplus System) and the value and impact of the resources that the legislature provides. Did you know that MASS was created in MI and was the first of its kind in the country? Tune in!

Iron Sharpens Iron by Phil Knight

Trend-buster: Kara Ross, the new CEO for Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Did you know that 75% of the people who work in the non-profit world are women, but only 45% of the top CEO positions are held by women.

Kara has worked in the food bank world for over 20 years and is a logistical wizard. Tune in to hear Phil, Gerry and Kara discuss crisis and communication, innovations, opportunities and impact.