Description

Did you know that nutrition programs are the majority of the farm bill? It's one of the many ways agriculture and nutrition go hand-in-hand.  That's why the Food Bullying podcast is celebrating National Nutrition Month and National Agriculture Month with a joint release with the Sound Bites podcast.

Melissa Joy Dobbins, a Registered Dietitian Nutrition (RDN), is the host of the Sound Bites podcast and she's known as the Guilt-free RD. She loves learning from farmers! She talks with Michele & Eliz about opportunities for agriculture and nutrition to work more closely together to address hunger.  Be sure to check out the  Sound Bites episode on food waste at https://soundbitesrd.com/bonus-food-waste for more conversation about farmers and dietitians working together.

Key points

• Melissa's background with food insecurity and food stamps.
• How nutrition programs such as SNAP are the majority of the "Farm Bill".
• Hungry children and how food insecurity impacts their development, education and social interactions.
• The disparities of food insecurity.
• Food desserts and how those in food insecurity eat less produce due to food bullying.
• Messaging about fresh produce, chemicals, the dirty dozen list, canned & frozen foods, and mom guilt.
• Technology used in farming today and how it helps provide more food for more people.
• How regulation and legislation is increasing the cost of food from farm to consumer level.
• Work dietitians do to help educate people and get nutritious food to those in food
• How dietitians work with Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to get nutrient dense food to young families in need and connect the dots.
• Learning to write a new story for yourself to overcome elitism, misinformation, and self-bullying around food selections.
• It's the job of dietitians and agriculture to overcome misinformation
• How dietitians and farmers can work together to help with food insecurity.
• The common interests and hot buttons of dietitians and agriculture: collaboration can help address more problems in food insecurity. 

Fabulous quotes

"My mom went without sometimes to be sure we had enough. She really stretched the food all week long."

"Everyone needs enough nutrition to be healthy."

"In today's society, we expect perfection in food. That's not always reality."

"Healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive."

"The nutrients of canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables provide the same nutrition as fresh produce."

"Dietitians are more like coaches than referees."

"Both farmers and dietitians are in the business to help people – that's a core value for both."

Links

• Instagram & Twitter: @melissajoyrd
• Sound Bites podcast on Food Waste
• How Coronavirus is a food security issue for low income senior citizens 
• Sound Bites on Apple podcasts
• Previous episodes on food insecurity:
  • Can the way you buy food reduce hunger?
  • How can you best help the hungry & food insecure?
  • How does food bullying cost hungry people?
• Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn
• Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene
• Food Bullying Podcast's Facebook page