Understanding Intent and Opportunities

What this episode covers

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on our nation’s food systems and economy, forcing millions of Americans to turn to the emergency food network for aid. Food banks, food pantries, and other community organizations have stepped up to meet the increase in need. Tune in for Food First Michigan on WJR Radio this Sunday at 9:00 PM to hear from Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Carrie Calvert, vice president of government relations for Feeding America, for the conversation focusing on agriculture and nutrition. Carrie helps make sure Congress and the Administration understand what is happening among our food bank network and the support that we need. Dr. Phil, Gerry, and Carrie delve in to two impactful programs for our food bank network, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program [LFPA] and The Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP] Reach and Resiliency Initiative. Carrie helps us understand the intent of the programs, the opportunities, and what YOU can do to help us reach the next level of food security across Michigan. The United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] has been provided $1 billion to invest in the nation’s emergency food network. At this time, $50 million in TEFAP Reach and Resiliency grants are being made available to TEFAP state agencies on a competitive basis. The LFPA program is part of the “Build Back Better” initiative, authorized by the American Rescue Plan. The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The program will award up to $400 million through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to support local, regional, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through the purchase of domestic local foods. What does it mean to cancel a load of food for Michigan? It means that families and underserved communities do not receive much-needed food. This is unacceptable – we CAN do better! 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 #FOODFIRST #FoodFirstMI #FoodSecurity #MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople

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