Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow Us Senator State Of Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow is the Senior Senator from Michigan and Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Senator Stabenow is the leading voice in Congress to ensure children and families have access to the nutritious food they need to lead healthy lives. She has led this work as Chairwoman during the 2014 Farm Bill and Ranking Member for the most recent farm bill in 2018. Senator Stabenow also prioritized hunger and nutrition issues throughout the COVID pandemic, establishing important programs like Pandemic EBT, ensuring all children had access to school meals and increasing access to SNAP and WIC for families in need of assistance.
Senator Stabenow established the first nationwide nutrition incentive initiative in the 2014 Farm Bill, modeled after Michigans successful Double Up Bucks. The 2018 Farm Bill made the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program permanent, adding produce prescriptions and creating the Nutrition Incentive Hub. Senator Stabenow will continue this leadership role in nutrition matters as Congress considers a new Farm Bill in the coming year.
White House Conference Pillars
The five pillars described below define the scope of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. They are meant to help identify actions that can be taken by all parts of society including the federal government local, state, territory, and Tribal governments nonprofit and community groups and private companies.
Regional Resources To Reduce And Divert Wasted Food Across The United States
Check out a list of national partners that work on efforts across the country to reduce and divert wasted food.
Food loss and waste is a growing problem in our modern society. The amount of food Americans throw away each year is staggering.
EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 24 percent of the amount landfilled and 22 percent of the amount combusted with energy recovery. About 63 million tons of wasted food were generated in the commercial, institutional, and residential sectors. Only 32 percent of that food was diverted from waste streams to animal feed, bio-based materials/biochemical processing, codigestion/anaerobic digestion, composting, donation, land application, and sewer/wastewater treatment .
There are growing efforts to prevent wasted food from occurring in the first place and to divert if from landfills and incinerators.
Below are links to state and local environmental agencies and waste management programs, nonprofit and partner organizations that provide resources and information about food systems, food recovery, food rescue, food donation, composting, and anaerobic digestion.
Choose your state or EPA region from the map below or scroll down the page and find information about regional, state, and local wasted food prevention and diversion efforts.
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Secretary Tom Vilsack Us Secretary Of Agriculture
Thomas J. Vilsack was confirmed as the 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture on Feb. 23, 2021 by the U.S. Senate. He was nominated by President Joe Biden to return to a role where he served for eight years under President Barack Obama.
Under Secretary Vilsacks leadership, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is building back better by restoring the American economy, strengthening rural and historically underserved communities, responding to threats of climate change, creating good-paying jobs for American workers and the next generation of agricultural leaders, and investing in our kids and our families.
Secretary Vilsack is spearheading a transformation of the food system by creating more, better, and fairer markets and ensuring that the food system of today and the future is more resilient and more competitive globally. It will also offer consumers affordable, nutritious food grown closer to home.
From excessive drought to more extreme fires, our producers, farmers and ranchers are on the frontlines confronting the challenges associated with climate change. USDA is engaging the agriculture and forestry sectors in voluntary, incentive-based climate solutions to improve the resiliency of producers and to build wealth that stays in rural communities. Additionally, USDA is advancing investments in science and research to offer producers a toolbox to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Panel 2a: Food Is Medicine: Bringing Nutrition Out Of The Health Care Shadows
Rajiv J. Shah, MD, Moderator
Dr. Shah is president of the Rockefeller Foundation, a global institution committed to promoting the well-being of humanity around the world through data, science and innovation. Under his leadership, the foundation raised and deployed more than $1 billion to respond to the COVID pandemic at home and abroad, launched a Pandemic Prevention Institute to prevent future health crises, and created a $10 billion Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet to help secure a just and green recovery. Raj serves on President Bidens Defense Policy Board and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, Raj was the 16th Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development where he reshaped the $20 billion agencys global operations and secured bipartisan support for Americas leading development and humanitarian role in the world.
Kofi D. Essel, MD, MPH, FAAP
Sachin Jain, MD, MBA
Dr. Sachin Jain is President and CEO of SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan, one of the nations largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, serving more than 270,000 members across California, Nevada and Arizona. Previously, Dr. Jain was President and CEO of CareMore and Aspire Health. He has also worked in the Obama Administration as Senior Advisor at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Karen Pearl
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Panel 1a: Nourishing Brighter Futures: Ensuring Affordable Food For All Children And Families
Mike Curtin, Moderator
Mike is the CEO DC Central Kitchen , the countrys first community kitchen. Under his leadership, DCC has expanded services to include contracts to provide scratched-cooked meals to 19 schools across DC rapidly increased purchasing from local farms established the Healthy Corners initiative to provide fresh and frozen produce to corner stores in areas without full service grocery stores and opened two quick service social enterprise cafes that provide full-time job opportunities to graduates of the DCCKs Culinary Job Training program. The Kitchen employs over 170 people, 60 percent of whom are graduates of this job training Program, which has provided life-changing instruction to more than 2,000 graduates.
Shavana Howard
Donna Martin
Donna is director of the Burke County school nutrition program, which has 4,500 students in five schools, serving breakfast, lunch, after-school snacks, supper, and the summer feeding program. She is the former President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and was the first School Nutrition Director to be President of the Academy. In 2016, Donnas work in the Burke County Public Schools nutrition program gained national attention when Michelle Obama and Al Roker visited Burke Middle School to help plant a school garden. Donna was awarded the 2016 Golden Radish Award for the state of Georgia because of her efforts in the Farm to School Movement.
Shannon Razsadin
Unique Programs At The Indiana Location
While Midwest Food Bank has a distinct mission and a steady set of values as an organization, Gods guidance has taken each of our locations on its own path of discovery and growth. We are proud that our community has provided enough support and volunteerism to fuel our own unique programs. Exclusive to the Bloomington location, these programs started as ideas from our volunteers and grew into compassionate acts of care that reach worldwide.
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What Are People Saying About Midwest Food Bank
Here are some reviews from our users.
“Great volunteer experience, super organized!”
“Just because I research the place through Google Maps doesn’t mean I went there and visited the place, ya stooge!”
“This food bank is a God Blessing to so many church food pantries. All the volunteers are so very helpful.”
“This is amazing place dedicated to making sure everyone is fed. Businesses donate food to the warehouse and local non-profits come and select different foods and products to help the people they serve. They only have approximately 5 people working there, so they rely heavily on volunteers to help with loading and many other things. My 2 co-workers and I volunteered and it was amazing here. I highly encourage individuals to volunteer or donate $$$ to help this wonderful organization provide much needed support to people that consider food a luxury rather than a necessity. If you are a business, please consider donating food or $$$ to help Midwest Food Bank. However you help, I know you will be blessed and grateful for the experience.”
Mfb Indiana Hires New Executive Director
Midwest Food Bank is pleased to announce the hire of Marcie Luhigo as the Executive Director for the Indiana division. She will replace retiring Executive Director John Whitaker.
“Marcie is a values-driven leader who fully embraces the MFB missions, values, and vision,” says Eric Hodel, CEO of Midwest Food Bank. “Her nonprofit leadership experience equip her to lead MFB Indiana.”
As Executive Director, Marcie will ensure MFB programs are executed with efficient use of facilities, employees, and volunteers. She will also manage budgeting, fundraising, community engagement, and other requirements for not-for-profit operations. The transfer of responsibilities will take place between April and June.
“I have watched Midwest Food Bank grow over the years and serve so many Hoosiers,” says Marcie. “I’m ecstatic that God allowed me to join such a phenomenal team.”
John will continue his service at MFB through September. During that time, he will be transitioning duties to Marcie and planning the division’s fall fundraiser.
“I have been blessed to serve at Midwest Food Bank Indiana for fourteen years,” says John. “Throughout my tenure, I have seen God’s hand at work in many areas of this ministry.”
“I enjoy coffee, documentaries on PBS, chaperoning my teens’ friends groups, beach getaways, F1 Racing, and cheering for Stuart and Lily in their sports and activities,” says Marcie.
Please join in welcoming Marcie to the MFB family.
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Panel 3b: Making Healthy Choices Easy: Why Improving Food Environments Matters
Lazarus Lynch, Moderator
Lynch is an African-American chef, entrepreneur, musician, model, actor, and the author of the prominent text, Son of a Southern Chef: Cook with Soul . Lynch received his B.S. from Buffalo State College in Individualized Studies. He is a two-time Chopped champion and the host of Snapchat’s first-ever cooking show, Chopped U, and the Food Network digital series Comfort Nation. His website was a 2017 Saveur Blog Awards nominee. In 2014, Lazarus worked at the USDA under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, working with key stakeholders in health, food, and nutrition. He was the first Black queer chef to attend and cook for the Met Gala in 2021. His writings and culinary wisdom are featured in Vogue, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Today Show. Lazarus is a proud 4-H Luminary, World Food Prize alum, and an ongoing brand partner with Meta, Inc.
Kaster Dee Garrett-Adimora
Shane Grant
Susan Mayne, PhD
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Indianapolis Office Collects Food Donations for Second Helpings Food Bank
The Indianapolis division held a food donation drive for Second Helpings, a non-profit organization that addresses poverty and hunger in…
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Chairwoman Rosa Delauro Us Congresswoman Ct
Rosa DeLauro is the Congresswoman from Connecticuts Third Congressional District, which stretches from the Long Island Sound and New Haven to the Naugatuck Valley and Waterbury. Rosa serves as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, where she oversees our nations investments in education, health, and employment.
As a Member of Congress, she is fighting to make sure Americans can get ahead and stay ahead for generations to come by enacting policies that lower the cost of living, drive down energy costs, cut the cost of healthcare premiums and prescription drugs, help families keep food on the table, and cut taxes for working families while ensuring the largest corporations pay taxes.
Rosa has made fighting for Connecticuts working families her central mission. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, people were struggling to keep up with skyrocketing costs for healthcare, housing, food, gas, and education. Families continue to live paycheck to paycheck because of inflationary pressure and stagnant wages while big corporations and billionaires use their money to rig the game. Rosa believes this amounts to a daily assault on every day working people.
Panel 4b: The Power Of Play: Supporting Physical Activity For Kids
Lysa Ratliff, Moderator
Lysa Ratliff is the CEO of KABOOM!, the national nonprofit that works to end playspace inequity for good.Lysa leads KABOOM! at a pivotal moment in this country where the needs of children have never been more urgent, and is working to address the inequities that impact their physical and mental well-being through equitable access to playspaces. She is passionate about centering racial equity and working across sectors in innovative and bold new ways to find solutions with communities to ensure healthy childhoods are possible for generations of kids.
Throughout her career with 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and development, Ratliff has always served as a champion for kids, leading efforts to connect diverse partners and make change for communities and kids across the country, and around the world. She was the Vice President of Partnership Development at KABOOM! prior to being named CEO in 2021, has held senior leadership roles at Habitat for Humanity International and Save the Children, and spent more than a decade in international marketing communications at several large corporations. Lysa has also led both public and private fundraising teams, cause marketing, and communications campaigns with large global corporations.
Catherine Grano
Jermaine Harris
Ann Marie Krautheim, M.A., R.D., L.D.
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Healthy Communities Grant Program
The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England’s main competitive grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health and improve the quality of life. Below are the organizations that have received grant awards in the past three years to further wasted food reduction and diversion projects:
2022 Awardees
- MEANS Database, Rhode Island & Bristol County Food Recovery Extension, $30,000
- Loving Spoonfuls, Inc., Food Rescue and Hunger Relief in Massachusetts, $40,000
- Product Stewardship Institute, Building Back Better with Less Packaging and Plastic Waste, $39,992
- City of Middletown CT, Fostering Circular Solutions for Takeout Containers, $40,000
- Growing Places Project, Inc., Local Food Works – Closing the Loop. $39,997
- Environmental Council of RI, Rhode Island Schools Recycling Club Get Food Smart RI: K-12 Schools, $40,000
- Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Inc., Composting for Community Initiative, $40,000
- Center for Eco Technology, Wasted Food Solutions New Haven County, $40,000
- Center for Eco Technology, Wasted Food Solutions Providence County, $40,000
2020 Awardees
Iowa Requires Warning Labels About The Possible Presence Of Lead In Shot
By: Samantha Horton and Jared Strong– June 6, 2022 3:00 am
Chris Ackman goes through donated bread items at the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program Inc. in Hiawatha, Iowa .
HIAWATHA, Iowa A walk-in freezer about two stories high sits in one corner of a warehouse owned by a food bank called Hawkeye Area Community Action Program Inc.
Chris Ackman, the food banks communication manager, points to the shelving racks where any donated venison the organization receives is typically stored.
Known as the Help Us Stop Hunger, or HUSH, program, the venison is donated by hunters from around the state, and Ackman says the two-pound tubes of ground meat go pretty quickly, lasting only a few months.
Its a pretty critical program, I think, because there are a lot of hunters in Iowa, he said. And, its well enjoyed by a lot of families as well.
Similar programs around the country have been applauded as a way for hunters to do something they enjoy while also helping feed those in need. Iowa hunters donate around 3,500 deer a year through the program.
From the hunters, the deer goes to a meat locker, where its ground, packaged and shipped off to food pantries around the state.
But before it hits the shelves, Iowa officials require a warning label on the venison package.The label reads:
Lead fragments may be found in processed venison. Children under 6 years and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from lead.
Increased need at food pantries
Health risks consuming lead
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Panel 5b: Advancing Equitable Research: Developing Innovative And Inclusive Policy Solutions
Chavonda Jacobs-Young, PhD, Moderator
Chavonda serves as the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and as USDAs Chief Scientist. REE, which has more than 8,500 employees and a $4 billion budget, advances agricultural research, innovation, data, and Extension across a full range of agricultural issues, including climate-smart agriculture, nutrition security, equity, and strengthening food supply chains. Previously, Dr. Jacobs-Young was the ARS Administrator for 8 years. She also served in several other key leadership positions at USDA over the past 20 years. She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Wood and Paper Science and a B.S. degree in Pulp and Paper Science and Technology from North Carolina State University.
Dr. Maribel Campos Rivera
Jimmieka Mills
Mia Ives-Rublee
Mia is the director of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan nonprofit think tank. She received her master’s in social work at UNC Chapel Hill and has been working to advocate for the disability community her entire career. Mia was awarded the UNC School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni Award and was one of Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year in 2017. She was also recognized by She the People as one of 20 Women of Color in Politics to Watch in 2020.
Donald Warne, MD, MPH