Food First

The Self-Sufficiency Standard

You can't solve food security with a "one size fits all" solution!

This week Phil and Gerry delve into The Self-Sufficiency Standard (SSS) for Michigan. The SSS provides the most comprehensive and up to date overview of what it takes for a family to be self-sufficient without the use of public or private assistance. Gerry also shares some of the most heartfelt words about his life experiences and why he does what he does for our mission.

The Self-Sufficiency Standard Report release date is September 8th - keep your eyes and ears peeled.

Liana Bennett and Joe Wald’s response to the Mid-MI Flooding crisis

Food banks are often the first one to arrive and the last one to leave in a crisis. WHY? Because we are already serving in the community before the crisis arrives.

Tune in to hear about crisis management from Liana Bennett, Consultant for the Household Distribution Program with Michigan Department of Education. Liana discusses the response / role of MDE during flood crisis in Mid-Michigan. As well as Joe Wald, Executive Director, Greater Lansing Food Bank talking about what REALLY happens during a crisis?!

Dr. Robert Bouvier

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ― Hippocrates

Tune in to hear from Dr. Robert Bouvier. Dr. Bouvier specializes in Internal Medicine and practices in the Grand Blanc area. Dr. Bouvier elaborates on how FOOD IS MEDICINE and many illnesses and ailments can be reversed by diet and exercise.

Dr. Stephen Borders, Associate Professor, School of Public and Nonprofit Administration at Grand Valley State University discussing MI Mapped.

MI Mapped is created through the Geographic Informational System (GIS) - a GIS lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends.

Food FIRST, not second and certainly not third! This week's show features Paul W, host of The Paul W. Smith Show; Ken Estelle, President and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan; and Dr. Diane Golzynski, State Childhood Nutrition Director of Michigan Department of Education.

Diane hits the nail on the head, "The last thing on earth that these children should worry about is if they are going to EAT!"

This week's line up is jam packed with influential leaders: Ric DeVore, Regional President of Detroit and Southeast MI, PNC Financial Services Group; Rick Hampson, President, Citizens Bank; Rachel Hurst, Public Affairs Manager, Kroger Co. of Michigan; and Paul Hillegonds, CEO, Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

This week's conversation is with Dr. Diane Golzynski, State Childhood Nutrition Director, Michigan Department of Education.

"If it involves food going to the hungry children in Michigan, then it goes through MDE and my office."

Our Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan moment features Scott Thomas. Scott is from from Sanilac County and is the Young Farmer Agriculture Employee Award winner. The Agriculture Employee Award is designed to recognize successful young agriculturalists, employed by a farm or agribusiness, for outstanding leadership in farming and contributions to the long-term profitability of the operation on which he/she works. Scott works for a large grain operation in Sanilac County.

This week's line up is remarkable! Bill Kerr, President, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan discusses how the food bank and the community of Flint banded together during the Flint Water Crisis. State Senator Jim Ananich shares his passion on taking care of his constituents in Genesee County. “The Food Bank Council is amazing at finding a little bit of resources and stretching them to a place where it helps so many people.”

Our Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan moment features Natalie Pennington. Natalie and her husband operate Hardy Harvest Farm in Mecosta County - donating surplus to the food bank in Remus. In addition, Natalie is the 2017 winner of the Young Agriculture Leader Award. The Young Agriculture Leader Award recognizes young farmers for outstanding leadership roles in Farm Bureau, agriculture and the local community.

This week you get to hear from Todd Gustafson, CEO, Kinexus. Todd has been driving their re-positioning into a nationally recognized community development organization since 2005! He discusses economic development, workforce development, community development and the Employee Resource Network.

Our Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan moment features Kathy Siler. Kathy has done an incredible job promoting agriculture in Washtenaw County through the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau social media!

This week features Vic Verchereau, VP of Marketing, Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan. Vic has his finger on the pulse of the future!

Our Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan moment features Kevin Messing. Kevin and his wife Sarah have are winners of the Excellence in Agriculture Award. This award recognizes a successful young individual or couple, who does not derive the majority of their income from normal production risk, for involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. Kevin and Sarah are very active in Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry.