Food First

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 Ame...

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...

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 f...

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...

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, an...

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 Scot...

Change has come to Michigan that hasn’t come in a generation. Specifically, political change. The executive office and both houses of the MI legislature will all align under the leadership of Governor Whitmer, Senator Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and our guest this week, the newly elected Speaker of the House, Representative Joe Tate. Rep Tate is a true leader, who believes in us, our work at the...

The value of work is still important today and as is a heart of giving. It is the unique combination that can propel a family struggling with monthly bills to find financial peace. While work is important, necessary and the biggest tool in the anti-hunger toolbox – in many cases it is not enough. Our work at the food banks across MI needs good policy that supports work for people and families. We...

Join us for this week's show to learn more about the three hottest topics in the world of food insecurity -- Michigan Harvest Gathering; the upcoming election and why it matters; and the current state of food insecurity in our state.

This week Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, CEO of the Ohio Association of Food Banks joins Food First to talk about the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in over 50 years. Dr. Phil Knight and Lisa Hamler-Fugitt were amongst a handful of hunger leaders from across the nation to attend this important event. Listen in to hear how the White House plan will address taking food insecurity...

The latest episode of Food First Michigan is focused on the effects of food insecurity on children from health to educational outcomes. Food insecurity amongst children is a “we” problem to solve because if a child is not well fed, they are not well read. Today’s children are tomorrow’s workforce, so we need to work together to address food insecurity amongst Michigan’s children. Today’s guest is...

Data Driven Decisions by Phil Knight

September 25, 2022 - Food for Thought

September 25, 2022 - Monologue

“Change has Changed” is a book by my friend Samuel Chand. Sam is not wrong, this world looks vastly different than it did 3.5 years ago. Change isn’t the only thing thats changed, so have we as both individuals and organizations. Sometimes change is painful, it hurts but is necessary as we evolve and grow into the leaders and organizations that are equal to the task we’ve been entrusted to accompl...

September 11, 2022 - Food for Thought

September 11, 2022 - Monologue

“Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man.” - George Washington Recently, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator John Boozman, opened the Farm Bill 2023 with a Field Hearing at Michigan State University. The Farm Bill is the single most important piece of legislation that effects food in our entire syste...

September 4, 2022 - Food for Thought

September 4, 2022 - Monologue

Election season is in full swing across Michigan and I know many of you are already tired of the brand of politics that includes name calling, endless mailings and lots of bickering. But our unique America political process offers us the opportunity to influence policy, priorities and the people who want to govern even before they are elected. Anna Alamaza, director of policy for the Food Bank Cou...

August 28, 2022 - Food for Thought

August 28, 2022 - Monologue