Description

How can you support people who are food insecure with dignity?  Our guest, Community Network Dietitian Nicole Weeks, share how her organization uses the MyPlate model in choice food pantries. Nicole shares ways to help by, "Shopping with your wallet and having a voice, as well."

Nicole is a registered dietitian focused on community nutrition. Her background includes the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) supplemental food program, school nutrition with a focus on the administration of the free and reduced meal program, and now Hunger Task Force - Milwaukee's Free and Local Food Bank. She is the Community Network Dietitian, helping to support the network of over 50 food pantries and 20 meal sites and shelters. Hunger Task Force is the first food bank in the nation to utilize the USDA MyPlate model in a food bank setting, and Nicole's role supports this throughout the network.

Key Points:

• The My Plate model replaced the Food Pyramid model.  It emphasizes filling your plate with:
  • 1/2 of the plate produce
  • 1/2 of grains whole grains
  • Lean protein
  • Low fat dairy
• Hunger Task Force's Choice Pantries are filled with items that fit within the My Plate model.  People shop the panty and choose their food. 
• Nicole provides education about how to use the items, including cooking tips
• Best things to donate are low sugar canned fruits, and low sodium canned vegetables. 
• Ramen noodles are terrible donations.  They are non-nutritive and can't be used.  They end up in the Hunger Task Force compost bin.
• Hunger Task Force runs a farm that produces a half million pounds of vegetables and fruit each year.
• Hunger Task Force has a mobile market serving the community with fresh produce, meat, and dairy.  It serves 1000 people each month.

Ways to help your local food bank:

1. Donate food
2. Donate cash
3. Understand food assistance programs exist for a reason. They are available to anyone — and one day you might need one.
4. Volunteer. Organizations need help assembling food boxes, sorting food, stocking, and many other opportunities.
5. Advocate for nutrition programs.  When changes are suggested in programs, look into what is suggested.  Speak up to support those who deal with food insecurity.

Links:

Nicole's email: nicole.weeks@hungertaskforce.org

Hunger Task Force Website: https://www.hungertaskforce.org/

Nicole on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rdsnick

Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn: https://foodbullying.com

Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene: http://www.embraceyourheart.com/

Food Bullying Podcast's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/foodbullyingpodcast/