Don’t underestimate the role power plays in the issue of hunger and people’s access to food. Food brings up powerful emotions in people – it is a very primal need. And powerful people, wealthy or not, do not go hungry. Powerful institutions control the growing, manufacturing and distribution of most of the food in this country. When some people don’t have enough food, there are programs run by powerful institutions (governments and NGOs) that can often decide who gets fed, what they get fed, when they get fed, and how much. This power can be used for good, and in most cases it is. There are also many peoples and organizations without power who struggle to provide assistance to those in need. Amazing feats are accomplished every day, yet people still go hungry in Vermont and across the world.
We can all do more good, and feed more people, when we strive to understand the power dynamics at work and proactively foster understanding, cooperation and empathy towards those with little or no power.
Hungry people can often feel powerless, which leads to feelings of frustration, hopelessness and anger. I know that feeling powerless makes me angry. Imagine the weight of these feelings, day-after-day, month-after-month, year-after-year. “Why can’t the powerful see what is happening, and fix the problem?” Advocates for the hungry can also come to feel powerless, frustrated and angry. At the same time, the corporate or government executives believe they are doing their best under the circumstances and wonder why the advocates are so frustrated and angry, and why the advocates can’t understand how “the system” needs to work?
The truth is the reasons hunger exists are pretty well know, and many effective solutions to hunger are at our fingertips. Starvation and severe malnutrition used to be a real problem in this country, and have largely been alleviated by successful government programs. It seems that there is no political will to take the next steps and end hunger and food insecurity. The necessary decisions are resisted because they will cause someone, somewhere to lose some of their power.
Do people really stand in the way of feeding others?
Maybe not directly, but many times I have heard the concern expressed that we must guard against people who are “unqualified” or “undeserving” getting food or benefits, or that people are “abusing” the benefits they do get. I have heard this from Presidents of the United State and U.S. Senators to social service case workers, food shelf volunteers and even other recipients of help; why is there so much concern about others getting “too much?” Could it be that if someone else receives a benefit that offends our sense of fairness or right and wrong, that we feel powerless, and therefore threatened?
It is difficult and against our nature to just let go of that threatened feeling. It is especially difficult to let go of that feeling again, and again, and again, each time our slim hold on power is threatened. I struggle; we all do. We just need to summon our reserves of grace, and each time remember that people must be fed, people must eat, and all of us have a responsibility to let go of some of our own power, and insist that others do so also. So let go, you’ll be glad you did.
The Vermont Foodbank is the largest hunger-relief charity in Vermont and for the last 23 years has been serving food insecure Vermonters through a network of food shelves, meal sites, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. These are our experiences.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Feeding [all of the] People Well: Why Food Banks and the Sustainable, Local Agriculture Movement Need Each Other (Part 2)
The local, sustainable agricultural community, and the movement to bring it mainstream, can really benefit from a clear connection to the food assistance network of food banks, food shelves and meal sites that make up the charitable food system. It is my experience that people committed to local food are committed to community-building and ensuring a tightly-woven social fabric. They will embrace the connection, especially if it can take their movement forward. Also, to truly be sustainable, a food system cannot just rely on a committed core of people: most of society needs to participate or the farms, and the system, cannot survive.
One hundred years ago all we had were sustainable local agricultural systems. Food simply could not be stored and transported long distances, which meant it went from farm to market for the most part. Those were the days of independent butchers, bakers, produce stands, and dairies. By the 1940’s, large, self-service supermarkets were appearing, radically changing our foods systems. The industry has been growing larger and more consolidated ever since. And the trend continues.
How can food banks help?
In a change process there are generally three groups of people: the early adopters, who will quickly embrace change (10-15%); the large middle, who are waiting to see which way the change is going before making a move (70-80%); and those that will actively resist change (10-15%). Here in Vermont we are already seeing the early adopters moving. The trick is to show the large middle that a tipping point has been reached and it is safe to adopt a new way of shopping and eating. Having the Vermont Foodbank, our 280 partners and the tens of thousands of Vermonters who access this food demonstrating how “farm-to-plate” can work – in a practical way – can go a long way to relieving the anxiety of the 80%.
The Foodbank, our partners and clients are a great laboratory and incubator for making the “farm-to-plate” model work in a situation where the conventional wisdom says it can’t work – with limited income people who don’t necessarily come from a culture of preparing fresh foods. In other words, if we can make it work, it’s ready for prime time.
The relationships between the Vermont Foodbank and the local, sustainable agricultural community are both longstanding and just starting. It is time to expand and deepen the relationships, and build the momentum necessary to sustain a movement.
So food banks need sustainable, local agriculture, and sustainable, local agriculture needs food banks. Let’s get to work.
One hundred years ago all we had were sustainable local agricultural systems. Food simply could not be stored and transported long distances, which meant it went from farm to market for the most part. Those were the days of independent butchers, bakers, produce stands, and dairies. By the 1940’s, large, self-service supermarkets were appearing, radically changing our foods systems. The industry has been growing larger and more consolidated ever since. And the trend continues.
How can food banks help?
In a change process there are generally three groups of people: the early adopters, who will quickly embrace change (10-15%); the large middle, who are waiting to see which way the change is going before making a move (70-80%); and those that will actively resist change (10-15%). Here in Vermont we are already seeing the early adopters moving. The trick is to show the large middle that a tipping point has been reached and it is safe to adopt a new way of shopping and eating. Having the Vermont Foodbank, our 280 partners and the tens of thousands of Vermonters who access this food demonstrating how “farm-to-plate” can work – in a practical way – can go a long way to relieving the anxiety of the 80%.
The Foodbank, our partners and clients are a great laboratory and incubator for making the “farm-to-plate” model work in a situation where the conventional wisdom says it can’t work – with limited income people who don’t necessarily come from a culture of preparing fresh foods. In other words, if we can make it work, it’s ready for prime time.
The relationships between the Vermont Foodbank and the local, sustainable agricultural community are both longstanding and just starting. It is time to expand and deepen the relationships, and build the momentum necessary to sustain a movement.
So food banks need sustainable, local agriculture, and sustainable, local agriculture needs food banks. Let’s get to work.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Feeding [all of the] People Well: Why Food Banks and the Sustainable, Local Agriculture Movement Need Each Other (Part 1)
There is an “insider” debate that pops up sometimes in the charitable food world: is it appropriate for food banks to distribute everything that gets donated to our network partners – food shelves, meal sites, shelters, after school programs and senior centers? Even food that isn’t nutritious, like soda, snack foods and candy? Good nutrition is important for everyone, so shouldn’t foodbanks and our partners make sure that free food is nutritious food? My point isn’t here is to engage in this debate, although I certainly have a point of view (and as CEO of the Vermont Foodbank, that distributes over 7.5 million pounds of food, I don’t think anything should be wasted), but to talk about the natural link between food banks and sustainable, local agriculture.
Food banks originated to take food that would have otherwise been wasted and deliver it to people who don’t have enough food to eat. Over the decades, food banks have become conduits for food distribution by the U.S. Government, recipients of donations from food manufacturers and distributors, and have been aggressively sourcing food. As food banks move from donated food to more aggressive sourcing, we can and should find more sources of nutritious and delicious food to distribute. National produce donations are available, and the Vermont Foodbank gets its share. But there are issues of transportation costs and regular availability.
The place to find nutritious local food is to make connections with Vermont’s agricultural community and with those interested in creating a local, sustainable food system. It is essential that local and sustainable includes everyone, even those who are now served by the charitable food system. People committed to local food are usually committed to community-building, and ensuring a tightly-woven social fabric.
The Vermont Foodbank is beginning to build those connections through our gleaning program and by reaching out to the local, sustainable agricultural community. And they are reaching back. These partnership are both longstanding and just starting, but I see a real force building to delivering fresh, local vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy to our neighbors in need.
So foodbanks need sustainable, local agriculture, but why does it need us? That’s part 2.
Food banks originated to take food that would have otherwise been wasted and deliver it to people who don’t have enough food to eat. Over the decades, food banks have become conduits for food distribution by the U.S. Government, recipients of donations from food manufacturers and distributors, and have been aggressively sourcing food. As food banks move from donated food to more aggressive sourcing, we can and should find more sources of nutritious and delicious food to distribute. National produce donations are available, and the Vermont Foodbank gets its share. But there are issues of transportation costs and regular availability.
The place to find nutritious local food is to make connections with Vermont’s agricultural community and with those interested in creating a local, sustainable food system. It is essential that local and sustainable includes everyone, even those who are now served by the charitable food system. People committed to local food are usually committed to community-building, and ensuring a tightly-woven social fabric.
The Vermont Foodbank is beginning to build those connections through our gleaning program and by reaching out to the local, sustainable agricultural community. And they are reaching back. These partnership are both longstanding and just starting, but I see a real force building to delivering fresh, local vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy to our neighbors in need.
So foodbanks need sustainable, local agriculture, but why does it need us? That’s part 2.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the Flynn THIS FRIDAY!
As a non-profit, the Vermont Foodbank is always looking for new and creative ways to raise funds. Special events are a unique way we do this, as they also allow us an opportunity to reach out to the public and share our work and our mission. This past year, the Vermont Foodbank decided that a benefit concert would be a terrific way to raise both funds and awareness for the Foodbank and the work that we do around the state. We approached National Life Group with the idea and they soon agreed to be the presenting sponsor.
Founded in Montpelier in 1848, National Life Group is a family of financial service companies based in Montpelier, Vermont. National Life and its foundation- the National Life Charitable Foundation- have been strong supporters of their community and the work of the Vermont Foodbank. And by sponsoring the concert, National Life affirms their invaluable role in a hunger-free Vermont.
For nearly half a century, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) has brought the sounds and soul of New Orleans to audiences worldwide. On October 9th, PHJB will grace the stage of the Flynn Center in Burlington.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. I remember stopping in when I was in New Orleans (oh, those many years ago at Jazz Fest) and heard some great Dixie Land jazz. The band has traveled worldwide spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, their music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit.
We are so grateful to National Life Group for their commitment of support for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band benefit concert. Now more than ever, the Foodbank and our partners throughout the state are looking to businesses to not only draw attention to the issue of hunger in Vermont, but also to support the fight against hunger in a very significant way. National Life Group has again stepped up to the plate to support an effort that will raise vital funds to provide food for Vermonters in need of food help.
Show up, and tell your friends! For tickets to the show on October 9th at 8PM call 802-86-FLYNN or visit www.flynntix.com
Founded in Montpelier in 1848, National Life Group is a family of financial service companies based in Montpelier, Vermont. National Life and its foundation- the National Life Charitable Foundation- have been strong supporters of their community and the work of the Vermont Foodbank. And by sponsoring the concert, National Life affirms their invaluable role in a hunger-free Vermont.
For nearly half a century, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) has brought the sounds and soul of New Orleans to audiences worldwide. On October 9th, PHJB will grace the stage of the Flynn Center in Burlington.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. I remember stopping in when I was in New Orleans (oh, those many years ago at Jazz Fest) and heard some great Dixie Land jazz. The band has traveled worldwide spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, their music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit.
We are so grateful to National Life Group for their commitment of support for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band benefit concert. Now more than ever, the Foodbank and our partners throughout the state are looking to businesses to not only draw attention to the issue of hunger in Vermont, but also to support the fight against hunger in a very significant way. National Life Group has again stepped up to the plate to support an effort that will raise vital funds to provide food for Vermonters in need of food help.
Show up, and tell your friends! For tickets to the show on October 9th at 8PM call 802-86-FLYNN or visit www.flynntix.com
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Fall Harvest
The Vermont Foodbank’s gleaning program has attracted a lot of attention this summer, and for good reason. Gleaning is an ancient tradition that pre-dates biblical times and yet is just as relevant today. You can even say the most of what food banks do is modern-day gleaning. We glean from food manufacturers, grocery stores, restaurants and caterers, but still from farm fields.
Focusing on just 3 of Vermont’s 14 counties, the Vermont Foodbank will glean well over 200,000 lbs. of fresh produce from our farms and orchards and deliver the food directly to some of our 280 statewide partners who directly feed Vermont’s hungry.
Volunteers love to glean, and it does feel good to cut that fresh spinach, or dig those potatoes out of the ground with your bare hands, knowing that it will soon be enjoyed by a neighbor. With a increasing focus on bringing fresh, local food into the charitable food system, gleaning just makes good sense.
A local webcaster has published a short video of the Vermont Foodbank’s gleaning efforts. Give it a look. http://vermonttv.net/
Focusing on just 3 of Vermont’s 14 counties, the Vermont Foodbank will glean well over 200,000 lbs. of fresh produce from our farms and orchards and deliver the food directly to some of our 280 statewide partners who directly feed Vermont’s hungry.
Volunteers love to glean, and it does feel good to cut that fresh spinach, or dig those potatoes out of the ground with your bare hands, knowing that it will soon be enjoyed by a neighbor. With a increasing focus on bringing fresh, local food into the charitable food system, gleaning just makes good sense.
A local webcaster has published a short video of the Vermont Foodbank’s gleaning efforts. Give it a look. http://vermonttv.net/
Monday, August 24, 2009
September is Hunger Action Month
Talk about taking action, more than 400 people just rode thousands of bike-miles to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. (I rode 25 miles and had a blast.) The fundraising window is still open, but close to $75,000 has been raised already. There isn’t a bike-ride fundraiser every day, nor is bike riding for everyone, so what action will you take to help end hunger?
September is national “Hunger Action Month.” Food banks and their supporters all across the country will be challenging themselves and others to take action to end hunger. If you listen to Cash Man, the hunger fighting superhero (www.CashFeedsMore.org) one of the most productive ways to fight hunger is donate cash to your local food shelf, feeding site or food bank. In the words of Cash Man:
There is no such thing as a bad donation, but cash is so much more effective than cans that it just makes sense to donate cash. Watch the Cash Man Rap video for a humorous, musical explanation!
But cash, while put to excellent use and very much appreciated, is not the only way to take action. The Vermont Foodbank’s Fall Newsletter (http://www.vtfoodbank.org/press_room/newsletter/ ) has a calendar list “30 ways in 30 days” to take action to end hunger. Hold a food drive (despite what “Cash Man” says), write your local paper or legislator about hunger in your community, volunteer.
Consider this: if you take action this month, next month, and the month after that, we are one step closer to ending hunger in Vermont and the nation.
Help transform a life. Take action against hunger.
September is national “Hunger Action Month.” Food banks and their supporters all across the country will be challenging themselves and others to take action to end hunger. If you listen to Cash Man, the hunger fighting superhero (www.CashFeedsMore.org) one of the most productive ways to fight hunger is donate cash to your local food shelf, feeding site or food bank. In the words of Cash Man:
There is no such thing as a bad donation, but cash is so much more effective than cans that it just makes sense to donate cash. Watch the Cash Man Rap video for a humorous, musical explanation!
But cash, while put to excellent use and very much appreciated, is not the only way to take action. The Vermont Foodbank’s Fall Newsletter (http://www.vtfoodbank.org/press_room/newsletter/ ) has a calendar list “30 ways in 30 days” to take action to end hunger. Hold a food drive (despite what “Cash Man” says), write your local paper or legislator about hunger in your community, volunteer.
Consider this: if you take action this month, next month, and the month after that, we are one step closer to ending hunger in Vermont and the nation.
Help transform a life. Take action against hunger.
Monday, July 20, 2009
In with the new
Some opportunities that are arising at the Vermont Foodbank have got me thinking about food banking’s changing business model. The historic model is morphing. Donations of food from many sources are decreasing as businesses (food manufacturers and retailers) get more efficient and effective in running their operations, resulting in less “waste.” The slowing economy also means less rescued food from restaurants and catering.
Meanwhile, food banks find themselves competing with the secondary food markets (discount outlets, dollar stores, etc.) for the food that used to come in as donations. Donations are also less diverse – lots of beverage, not enough protein. Thankfully government commodities are increasing, but for how long? In Vermont we find ourselves purchasing more food for distribution, filling in the gaps to ensure a balanced and nutritious food mix for the agencies we supply. And the need keeps increasing.
So how do we think about the goal of “ending hunger in Vermont?” What other business models are out there? The need is constant and keeps growing. Some of the people who patronize food shelves and meal sites are seeking supplemental sources of food, not just temporary emergency food assistance. The federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides a monthly box of staples for the pantries of income-eligible seniors. In very rural areas distribution is expensive and difficult, but we need to find ways to supplement the diets of everyone who needs help, not just seniors. How can we do this in a way that gives people food choice, while dealing with the reality that we don’t know what food in coming in from one month to the next? Solutions will have to involve creative partnerships and throwing away old assumptions about how things “should” be done.
After all, what better way to build a stronger society than to make sure each person has the opportunity to transform his or her life?
Meanwhile, food banks find themselves competing with the secondary food markets (discount outlets, dollar stores, etc.) for the food that used to come in as donations. Donations are also less diverse – lots of beverage, not enough protein. Thankfully government commodities are increasing, but for how long? In Vermont we find ourselves purchasing more food for distribution, filling in the gaps to ensure a balanced and nutritious food mix for the agencies we supply. And the need keeps increasing.
So how do we think about the goal of “ending hunger in Vermont?” What other business models are out there? The need is constant and keeps growing. Some of the people who patronize food shelves and meal sites are seeking supplemental sources of food, not just temporary emergency food assistance. The federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides a monthly box of staples for the pantries of income-eligible seniors. In very rural areas distribution is expensive and difficult, but we need to find ways to supplement the diets of everyone who needs help, not just seniors. How can we do this in a way that gives people food choice, while dealing with the reality that we don’t know what food in coming in from one month to the next? Solutions will have to involve creative partnerships and throwing away old assumptions about how things “should” be done.
After all, what better way to build a stronger society than to make sure each person has the opportunity to transform his or her life?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The New Philanthropist
“Philanthropy - desire to benefit humanity: a desire to improve the material, social, and spiritual welfare of humanity.”
Philanthropy usually brings to mind very rich people – from the Vanderbilt’s and Rockefellers, to Bill Gates and the “dot.com” millionaires – but we all have the capacity to be philanthropists. Anybody reading this blog is most likely a “charitable giver” already, giving $5, $25, and $100 gifts to different organizations, all of which are worthy. But I see philanthropy as perhaps more focused and thoughtful. What troubles you most about our society? What problem would you most like to see solved? Focus your attention there. Read about the problem and its solutions. Write letters to your local elected representatives. And invest in organizations you find that agree with your ideas about how the problem should be addressed. It can be $20 a month in an automatic withdrawal from your checking account and volunteering 4 times a year, or something more, or something less. The point is to make a commitment and become an advocate for your philanthropic cause.
The Vermont Foodbank might be an excellent focus for you, the new philanthropist. Hunger is a basic need that touches us all. Distributing food so that everyone has access to enough delicious and nutritious food is a humbling yet fulfilling endeavor. The Foobank and our network of more than 270 partners across, along with donors and volunteers served more than 66,000 Vermonters last year--that's more than 10% of Vermont's population.
But hunger is not the only problem that needs a solution. Whether it’s reducing violence in society, providing shelter for people, supporting animal shelters, or preserving wildlife habitat, do something.
There is a change that happens when people feel part of something bigger than themselves. It gives us a connection to the community and the larger world. And the next time someone asks you what you do to help others, you can say, “I’ve become a philanthropist.”
Philanthropy usually brings to mind very rich people – from the Vanderbilt’s and Rockefellers, to Bill Gates and the “dot.com” millionaires – but we all have the capacity to be philanthropists. Anybody reading this blog is most likely a “charitable giver” already, giving $5, $25, and $100 gifts to different organizations, all of which are worthy. But I see philanthropy as perhaps more focused and thoughtful. What troubles you most about our society? What problem would you most like to see solved? Focus your attention there. Read about the problem and its solutions. Write letters to your local elected representatives. And invest in organizations you find that agree with your ideas about how the problem should be addressed. It can be $20 a month in an automatic withdrawal from your checking account and volunteering 4 times a year, or something more, or something less. The point is to make a commitment and become an advocate for your philanthropic cause.
The Vermont Foodbank might be an excellent focus for you, the new philanthropist. Hunger is a basic need that touches us all. Distributing food so that everyone has access to enough delicious and nutritious food is a humbling yet fulfilling endeavor. The Foobank and our network of more than 270 partners across, along with donors and volunteers served more than 66,000 Vermonters last year--that's more than 10% of Vermont's population.
But hunger is not the only problem that needs a solution. Whether it’s reducing violence in society, providing shelter for people, supporting animal shelters, or preserving wildlife habitat, do something.
There is a change that happens when people feel part of something bigger than themselves. It gives us a connection to the community and the larger world. And the next time someone asks you what you do to help others, you can say, “I’ve become a philanthropist.”
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Why am I here?
Why am I here? Not in the existential sense, but how did I end up at the Vermont Foodbank and why does it feel so right to be here? Mom and Dad both grew up on farms in Minnesota, and my Dad’s parents lost their farm in the Great Depression, experiencing what we now call “food insecurity.” Both my parents had long left the farm (I was raised in suburban Maryland, outside of Washington, D.C. and we never even had a garden) when I was born. Ours was a family with 5 kids, and there was always food to eat. But I remember Mom stretching - mixing fresh milk with powdered, avoiding expensive prepared food, buying in bulk and freezing, sometimes making preserves and even baking her own bread every week.
I was raised in a house where whole foods were turned into meals and not much was wasted. It was also a house that practiced respect and compassion for others. I learned from experience that all people had something positive to offer in our society. Our house was full of all kinds of people, not just people like us, and we were frequently doing things to help others. That was just the way it was, and here at the Vermont Foodbank it’s just the way it is, and I am surrounded by people who clearly have the same vision and heart. We do things that help other people because that is the way we live our lives, whether at work, home or in our communities.
That’s why I’m here.
I was raised in a house where whole foods were turned into meals and not much was wasted. It was also a house that practiced respect and compassion for others. I learned from experience that all people had something positive to offer in our society. Our house was full of all kinds of people, not just people like us, and we were frequently doing things to help others. That was just the way it was, and here at the Vermont Foodbank it’s just the way it is, and I am surrounded by people who clearly have the same vision and heart. We do things that help other people because that is the way we live our lives, whether at work, home or in our communities.
That’s why I’m here.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Big Dunk
DISCLAIMER: Please bear with me as I find my voice in the world of blogging and slither out of my lawyer and government manager skins. Using the technical advocate voice just isn’t as effective in reaching people’s hearts as it was testifying at the legislature, or appearing on a panel talking about utility regulation.
My new life at the Foodbank led me to the dunk tank on Saturday, taking the splash a couple dozen times at the Barre Town School for Family Fun Day. People keep commenting on what a “good sport” I am, but who could complain about having some wonderful kids dunk me in a heated tank for a good cause? The school principal followed me, and they gave him a squirt gun for protection. I guess I didn’t know enough to be scared.
I am so impressed by the work of the Barre Town students who organized Family Fun Day. I will be speaking with them tonight, and I can’t wait to thank them. They are an incredible example of what can happen when a group of thoughtful, concerned, hardworking people put their minds and hearts to something. I look forward to seeing where their paths take them in the future—our community is lucky to have such a special group of kids!
I followed the dunk tank up with an unveiling of the sign at the Foodbank’s Kingsbury Farm. It looks like we might have to evict a few groundhogs, but I think that spreading awareness of hunger, and its solutions, in Vermont and growing fresh, nutritious food will make all the effort worthwhile. Maybe we can sponsor a contest for the best impersonation of Bill Murray in “Caddyshack,” although I’m not sure our groundhogs are quite so clever.
My new life at the Foodbank led me to the dunk tank on Saturday, taking the splash a couple dozen times at the Barre Town School for Family Fun Day. People keep commenting on what a “good sport” I am, but who could complain about having some wonderful kids dunk me in a heated tank for a good cause? The school principal followed me, and they gave him a squirt gun for protection. I guess I didn’t know enough to be scared.
I am so impressed by the work of the Barre Town students who organized Family Fun Day. I will be speaking with them tonight, and I can’t wait to thank them. They are an incredible example of what can happen when a group of thoughtful, concerned, hardworking people put their minds and hearts to something. I look forward to seeing where their paths take them in the future—our community is lucky to have such a special group of kids!
I followed the dunk tank up with an unveiling of the sign at the Foodbank’s Kingsbury Farm. It looks like we might have to evict a few groundhogs, but I think that spreading awareness of hunger, and its solutions, in Vermont and growing fresh, nutritious food will make all the effort worthwhile. Maybe we can sponsor a contest for the best impersonation of Bill Murray in “Caddyshack,” although I’m not sure our groundhogs are quite so clever.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Growing, Graduating and Planning for the Future
I just had the opportunity to appear on the WCAX morning news to talk about their “Grow an Extra Row” initiative (a partnership between the Agency of Agriculture, City Market, and High Mowing Organic Seeds), which encourages local gardeners to grow an extra row of produce and donate it to their local food pantry. It is a great way to get involved by doing something you love. You can get in contact with your nearest food pantry by going to the Vermont Foodbank website at www.vtfoodbank.org and clicking on “find a food shelf.” Fresh produce from your garden is a nutritious and great-tasting addition to your local pantry’s shelves, and it is a wonderful way to get involved. You can learn more abou this initiative at http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=10278787
This being graduation season, it is also great timing for the first graduation of the Community Kitchen program at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. The program is a partnership between the food shelf, the Vermont Foodbank, and the state of Vermont that provided 14 weeks of culinary training to seven women who were unemployed or underemployed. Two are moving directly to full-time jobs and five will be taking advanced culinary training at the New England Culinary Institute. Congratulation to the graduates! The next class is starting soon, and the Vermont Foodbank hopes to expand the program to other locations as we can.
I am also participating in a statewide conference today on the “Future of Vermont” sponsored by the Vermont Center for Rural Development. Participants from across the state will be discussing what priorities and policies make sense for Vermont in the next generation. I will be in a small group discussing an economic development plan. As our COO, Ed Fox, once told me, “The most important thing we can do for hungry Vermonters is make sure good jobs are available throughout the state so that everyone can put food on their tables, a roof over their heads and heat in their homes.” Let’s hope we make some progress! To read the full “Future of Vermont” report visit www.futureofvermont.org
This being graduation season, it is also great timing for the first graduation of the Community Kitchen program at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. The program is a partnership between the food shelf, the Vermont Foodbank, and the state of Vermont that provided 14 weeks of culinary training to seven women who were unemployed or underemployed. Two are moving directly to full-time jobs and five will be taking advanced culinary training at the New England Culinary Institute. Congratulation to the graduates! The next class is starting soon, and the Vermont Foodbank hopes to expand the program to other locations as we can.
I am also participating in a statewide conference today on the “Future of Vermont” sponsored by the Vermont Center for Rural Development. Participants from across the state will be discussing what priorities and policies make sense for Vermont in the next generation. I will be in a small group discussing an economic development plan. As our COO, Ed Fox, once told me, “The most important thing we can do for hungry Vermonters is make sure good jobs are available throughout the state so that everyone can put food on their tables, a roof over their heads and heat in their homes.” Let’s hope we make some progress! To read the full “Future of Vermont” report visit www.futureofvermont.org
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The First Bite
Thirty days ago I began a new life as the Vermont Foodbank’s CEO. I walked into a high-functioning organization with a talented and motivated staff that is driven to achieve our mission - gathering and sharing quality food and nurturing partnerships that will end hunger - but always questioning and seeking to push boundaries. As I “blog for food” from time-to-time here I’ll be sharing my perspective on hunger, foodbanking, public policy and leadership. I hope you find it thought provoking.
Communities around the world are working on new ways to end hunger. At the Vermont Foodbank’s Hunger Conference last week our lunch speaker was Robert Egger of the D.C. Central Kitchen (www.dccentralkitchen.org), an innovator in culinary training programs for people in need. It is a model that has been widely emulated, including by the Vermont Foodbank/Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf partnership Community Kitchen in Burlington. Robert spoke about looking past the way we do things now (including the model he helped develop) and envisioning a paradigm that combines the millions of hands, feet, and minds of our retiring baby boomers, combined with the strength and energy of the millions of young people now in high school and college who grew up with public service as a scheduled part of their lives.
The current business model for the food banking industry is to collect food that would otherwise be wasted and distribute it to people who are hungry and don’t have the means or ability to get food on their own. Over the years, as manufacturers, distributors and retails donate their “waste” they are also waking up to the fact that this “waste” is affecting their bottom lines. The result is a decrease in the amount of waste, and a decrease in donated food. Foodbanks now need to buy more food to meet the increasing need, and therefore need to raise more money to buy food.
This is not a sustainable trend.
So how do we harness the minds and bodies of the millions out there to meet our mission while responding to change in the fundamentals of our business? The Vermont Foodbank is ramping up our gleaning program, called “Salvation Farms” and has bought the Kingsbury Farm where we will begin growing food for Foodbank distribution one season from now. Volunteers glean and process produce for Salvation Farms, and will have a big role in the operation of the Kingsbury Farm. These are two ideas—new ways, at least to food banking, of sourcing food—both just getting started.
I am interested in learning your thoughts.
Communities around the world are working on new ways to end hunger. At the Vermont Foodbank’s Hunger Conference last week our lunch speaker was Robert Egger of the D.C. Central Kitchen (www.dccentralkitchen.org), an innovator in culinary training programs for people in need. It is a model that has been widely emulated, including by the Vermont Foodbank/Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf partnership Community Kitchen in Burlington. Robert spoke about looking past the way we do things now (including the model he helped develop) and envisioning a paradigm that combines the millions of hands, feet, and minds of our retiring baby boomers, combined with the strength and energy of the millions of young people now in high school and college who grew up with public service as a scheduled part of their lives.
The current business model for the food banking industry is to collect food that would otherwise be wasted and distribute it to people who are hungry and don’t have the means or ability to get food on their own. Over the years, as manufacturers, distributors and retails donate their “waste” they are also waking up to the fact that this “waste” is affecting their bottom lines. The result is a decrease in the amount of waste, and a decrease in donated food. Foodbanks now need to buy more food to meet the increasing need, and therefore need to raise more money to buy food.
This is not a sustainable trend.
So how do we harness the minds and bodies of the millions out there to meet our mission while responding to change in the fundamentals of our business? The Vermont Foodbank is ramping up our gleaning program, called “Salvation Farms” and has bought the Kingsbury Farm where we will begin growing food for Foodbank distribution one season from now. Volunteers glean and process produce for Salvation Farms, and will have a big role in the operation of the Kingsbury Farm. These are two ideas—new ways, at least to food banking, of sourcing food—both just getting started.
I am interested in learning your thoughts.
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