Toxic Stress

Food insecurity is stressful and causes people to shrink and become disengaged. This weekend on Food First Michigan, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, president & CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, unpack the impact of food insecurity on families across the state, how they cope, and why the work of the food bank network is so vital.

How do families cope with food insecurity? Phil and Gerry explain the strategies used by people – both food secure and food insecure – to afford food. Dr. Alyssa Beavers with Wayne State University provided information on these strategies which include relying more on hunting and fishing, relying more on foraging, buying food on credit, borrowing money from friends or family, relying more on growing food, getting food from food pantries, accepting food from friends or family, stretching meals by eating less, buying foods that do not go bad quickly, and buying different or cheaper foods.

The toxic stress of food insecurity is lived out in different ways. It changes people and can cause stress to build up. This added stress can cause individuals to respond differently to daily problems than they would if the toxic stress of food insecurity was not there. Food insecurity can also be a trauma for some. Children who grow up in a food insecure household experience a trauma that can stay with them long-term.

Supply chain interruptions and forces in the economy are adding even more pressure to those fighting food insecurity. The food bank network in Michigan is working to provide access to food in a variety of ways to help create stability. Hunger isn’t bigger than we are, it isn’t better than we are, and it is not beyond us to solve! Join us in keeping #FOODFIRST!

Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio.

Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://apple.co/38UUpFk

iHeartRadio ➡️ https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN

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