It has been said that change is inevitable, and growth is optional. Leaders love change, expect things to change, and work to create positive change. All change is a critique of the past, has casualties, and needs a champion. This week’s episode of Food First Michigan focuses on how to use conversation as the gateway to change.

Nonprofits and charities across our state have extremely talented people working hard to help their neighbors in need but there are still too few of these individuals in the world. On today’s episode of Food First Michigan, you will hear from Taylor Moore, the innovative director of Food Rescue – Goodwill Northern Michigan, who is investing his life to ensure people in need have access to the fresh food they want and need.

We have a responsibility to the next generation to give them every opportunity to succeed — which in turn will strengthen our communities and our country. Feeding children facing hunger is a priority of the Food Bank Council of MI and our members. Today’s Food First MI guest understands that investing in children is the right thing to do. Collin McDonough, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, is helping organize the efforts around School Meals for All.

Hunger for children, food security for seniors is and should always remain a non-partisan challenge. Republican, Democrat, and everyone in between should do what is necessary to ensure the toxic stress of food security is a thing of the past. So put down your partisanship, your prejudices, your bias, your judgements, and join us in creating a food secure Michigan. This week’s episode of Food First unpacks two pieces of legislation that impact our work and the families we are striving to help.

Innovation it is said, is the enemy of efficiency. The Deputy Undersecretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Stacy Dean, is an innovator. She is investing her energy in making food more accessible to people with limited opportunities and on this week’s edition of Food First Michigan you will hear from her about how she is innovating processes and programs to help people get the food they both want and need.

On Food First Michigan we often say a job is the biggest tool in the anti-hunger toolbox, but upon further review lowering the unemployment rate isn’t the cure all to poverty. While the unemployment rate has dropped, the poverty rate has stubbornly stayed at around 10 percent and never dropped below 10 percent. On today’s episode of Food First Michigan Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk about the role of work in solving poverty and other social disparities that contribute to poverty in Michigan.

Dr. Katie S Martin, a PhD researcher from Tufts University and the School of Nutrition Science and Policy, is the author of Reinventing Food Banks and Pantries: New Tools to End Hunger. Martin has dedicated her career to researching food insecurity, talking with individuals who experience food insecurity, visiting food banks and food pantries, and creating programs that promote health, dignity, and financial wellbeing. Her goal is to create a paradigm shift in the way we address food insecurity to move from short-term transactions of food to long-term transformations of lives. Here more from her on these important topics on this week’s episode of Food First Michigan.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association was the Title Sponsor for the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering giving campaign. They have been a long-time supporter of the Michigan Harvest Gathering. Hear from Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association about why they are committed to helping solve food insecurity for Michigan residents.

Happy five-year anniversary to Food First Michigan! Take a look back at some Best of Food First episodes and celebrate with us!

With the holidays upon us, we are seeing an even greater need for food need families across the state of Michigan. The Farm Bureau family of companies is committed to serve the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s mission of creating a food secure state in this season of Thanksgiving and beyond. Check out this week’s episode of Food First Michigan where we are talking with Michigan Farm Bureau CEO Scott Piggott about the potential for partnership, policy change, and the procurement of food for those struggling under a food insecure lifestyle.