Tag: Food Bank Council of Michigan

MHA, Industry Leaders Gather at Trinity Health to Discuss Food Insecurity

Member News
MHA CEO Brian Peters, Alfreda Rooks, Kristen Matlack, Lisa McDowell and Karlen Sandall.

As individuals and families across the state and country continue to face food insecurity, Michigan’s hospitals, health systems and community leaders are engaged in creating collaborative solutions. MHA CEO Brian Peters joined fellow food security champions March 24 at the Come to the Table: Ending Hunger in America by 2030 event, hosted by Trinity Health.

The event, which took place at St. Joseph Mercy in Ypsilanti, gathered representatives from healthcare, agriculture, education, veteran’s affairs, housing and various other sectors to discuss key topics related to food insecurity. Peters kicked off a series of panels moderating a discussion on nutrition insecurity in healthcare. Panelists included:

  • Alfreda Rooks, MPA, director of community health services for Michigan Medicine – UM Health.
  • Kristen Matlack, community health advocacy initiative manager at MetroHealth System’s Institute for HOPE.
  • Lisa McDowell, clinical nutrition and lifestyle medicine at Trinity Health.
  • Karlen Sandall, digital health worker manager at OSF Healthcare.

Additional panelists covered hunger across the age spectrum, bridging the gap between hunger and nutrition and ways to take a bipartisan approach to addressing food insecurity. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas in a town hall-style discussion that followed.

The event included virtual remarks from U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur; Secretary Vilsack, Department of Agriculture; Secretary Becerra, Department of Health and Human Services.

The gathering concluded with an exclusive tour of The Farm at Trinity Health Ann Arbor, one of Michigan’s oldest hospital-based farms in the country. The five-acre space, which includes a hub for growing and distributing food along with an outdoor classroom, is a regional program that connects thousands of people annually to nutritious, local food.

Additional onsite speakers included: Stephanie Cihon, director of grants and public policy at ProMedica; Alonzo Lewis, president at Trinity Health Ann Arbor; Gary Cates, chief philanthropy and chief government relations officer at ProMedica; Stacy Dean, deputy under secretary, food, nutrition and consumer services at the USDA; Barbara Petee, president of the Root Cause Coalition, and many others.

In 2022, the MHA and its member hospitals and health systems contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the Michigan Harvest Gathering in an effort to combat food insecurity throughout the state. The annual campaign is organized by the Food Bank Council of Michigan – those interested in getting involved or learning more can visit mha.org.

Media Recap: Food Insecurity & Rural Healthcare Solutions

MHA In The News
Brian Peters

Brian PetersThe MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 23 regarding the issue of food insecurity, rural healthcare solutions and hospital viability.

The MHA contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering during the campaign’s luncheon Jan. 25 to help address food insecurity in the state. The Michigan Business Network published the press release issued by the MHA while MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Food First, a weekly WJR radio show presented by the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Farm Bureau Insurance. Peters discussed the MHA’s title sponsorship of the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering with co-hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, as well as the role food insecurity plays as a social determinant of health.

Peters and several MHA members also appeared in a Becker’s Hospital Review story published Jan. 25 sharing ideas on how to save rural healthcare.

“I am a big believer in technology as a game-changer for the future of healthcare delivery,” said Peters. “In particular, it can serve as a force multiplier in the realm of healthcare staffing. When combined with the significant traction gained by telehealth since the start of the pandemic, this means that technology — if thoughtfully deployed — can help to stabilize the rural health infrastructure. One imperative: we need regulatory and reimbursement policies that incentivize and support this concept.

In addition, Peters joined the Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show Jan. 26 as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

MHA and Michigan Hospitals Contribute $45,000 Toward Food Insecurity

News Releases
MHA CEO Brian Peters and Food Bank Council of Michigan Executive Director Dr. Phil Knight.

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and its member hospitals and health systems contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering in an effort to combat food insecurity throughout the state. The annual campaign organized by the Food Bank Council of Michigan concluded Jan. 25 at the Michigan State Capitol with a luncheon and check presentation from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to be a part of these crucial efforts that help to equitably advance the health of individuals and communities throughout the state,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We’re also proud and grateful for our hospitals and health systems who remain committed to caring for their communities inside and outside of the traditional healthcare setting.”

Access to healthy food is a key social determinant of health. The MHA’s decades of participation in the Michigan Harvest Gathering supports the association’s commitment to eliminating health disparities and striving to achieve health equity. According to Feeding America, 53 million people nationwide used a food bank or community program to help put food on the table in 2021. Food insecurity is a reality for one in seven (nearly 300,000) Michigan children and 5.3% of Michigan seniors (over 127,000 individuals).

“This effort reflects the challenges that many communities face for the most basic of necessities, especially after the pandemic,” said T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer, University of Michigan Health System and Michigan Health & Hospital Association board chair. “It’s our responsibility as healthcare leaders to acknowledge and address the needs of our most vulnerable residents in order to give everyone the opportunity to thrive and to live healthy lives.”

Over the past 30 years, the Michigan Harvest Gathering has raised awareness and funds to support food access for people at all walks of life. Every dollar donated helps secure and distribute at least 12 pounds of food, or 10 average-sized meals, to people facing food insecurity.

“The Food Bank Council of Michigan is extremely grateful for the many years of support for the Michigan Harvest Gathering from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association,” said Food Bank Council of Michigan executive director Dr. Phil Knight. “Inflation is not only impacting the families we serve but also limiting the purchasing power of our food bank network. The support and monetary donations we receive from great organizations like MHA help ensure Michigan residents who are facing food insecurity each day get the nutrition they need.”

Donations can be made year-round through the Food Bank Council website, either with a monetary contribution or by selecting from a variety of food products to donate. More information about the MHA’s involvement with the Michigan Harvest Gathering can be found at mha.org.

Michigan Harvest Gathering Launches Oct. 10

Member News
Michigan harvest gathering

Michigan harvest gatheringFood insecurity and health outcomes go hand in hand, as those who struggle to put food on the table are at a higher risk of conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. In 2020, more than one million Michiganders faced food insecurity – including 300,000 children. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened this issue.

In an effort to combat food insecurity throughout the state, the MHA, alongside the Food Bank Council of Michigan, invite hospitals, health systems and the general public to participate in this year’s Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign, kicking off Oct. 10. Over the past 30 years, the program has raised awareness and funds to support food access for people at all walks of life. According to Feeding America, every dollar donated provides an average of 10 meals to those in need.

Donations can be made through the Food Bank Council website, either with a monetary contribution or by selecting from a variety of food products to donate. Healthcare professionals who wish to attribute their donation to an employer can select from a list of hospital and health systems under the donor information tab, which appears just before entering personal information and payment.

Questions about the Michigan Harvest Gathering should be directed to Erin Steward.