Fed the Dumpster with More Produce than I Fed People. Food Dignity. Clancy Harrison.

Ep 102. Part One. On this episode we are grateful to have Clancy Harrison.  Clancy is the founder of Food Dignity®, an organization that empowers farmers, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies to lead the change in transforming food systems. With nearly 30 years of hands-on service alongside the people who have directly experienced food injustices, Clancy brings an unmatched depth of empathy and understanding to her mission. Clancy is the catalyst for companies across North America who want to join the deeper conversation around food—and build a more equitable and sustainable future.

#eatbetterfoodtoday #localingredients #longevity #health #foodasmedicine #hope #farmers #volunteer #dignity

Please visit our website https://eatbetterfoodtoday.com  for this week's recipe, interviews, books, research, videos.

Look for information on Clancy https://www.linkedin.com/in/clancycashharrison   http://www.fooddignitymovement.org/   

The Recipe Site Mentioned https://www.newenglanddairy.com/recipes/

Please Invest in the The Sante Foundation https://www.thesantefoundation.org

What’s In Season https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/

Cleveland Kitchen: https://www.clevelandkitchen.com/

Segment Notes:

Part One

Breakfast: Tea, and either Egg with Arugula and Tomato or Thick Yogurt with Berries

The Journey to Food Dignity  2:15

• Food Service Director with Aramark across many states
• Worked in a Food Pantry for 13 yrs: Fed a Dumpster with the Produce more than People
• A Registered Dietician
• People who are food insecure are at High Risk of Foodborne Illness
• The Food Dignity nonprofit secured ARPA Funds in 2020 with the “Farmer at the Center”
• We connect local, fresh, nourishing food to people who are at high risk of food insecurity
• We work with nonprofits at a time of service. Places they already Trust.
• Think domestic violence centers, think drug and alcohol recovery centers
• Now that food will heal their kidneys, their livers, their skin for drug and alcohol recovery
• For single moms that are women running from domestic violence.
• These nonprofits have increased their participation rates which means increased funding, increased outcomes
• We’re lowering A1C, blood pressure, they’re losing weight, they’re eating more fruits and vegetables
• Farmers are becoming more sustainable. They are paid fair market value for their product

Sustained Funding  8:02

• At a Shelter, they know that women are not returning to an abuser because she has peace of mind that she can feed her child
• That in turn leads to them adding Food to their Grant requests
• Farmers: now staying open year round because of community demand – funders see economic development

Connecting Nonprofits with Farmers  10:36

• Had to Build Farmer TRUST. They were used to being asked to cut prices or Donate. That is not sustainable.
• Help farmers identify crops at risk when they're in the ground that do not have a market and identify markets
• Worked with 5 farmers on the Federal Resilient Food Infrastructure Grant: rcvd $720K
• Now they can afford to buy cold storage which helps them supply food year-round

Creating The Market  15:11

• Pay 2 students at a Local trade School to create a Food Hub for 43 Farmers
• The nonprofits then come and pick up Food every Monday
• Another Market: Take What You Need, Pay What You Can Produce Stands
• Everyone Gets an Envelope and Puts what they can Afford in the Envelope
• Pay for these stands with Corporate Sponsors
• Create Stands at Schools, Work Sites, VFW parking lots, PA CareerLink

Distribution & Rescued Food  18:18

• To the nonprofit “what do you need from Food Dignity to Make this Work?”
• Famers Deliver to the Food Hub (CTC)
• Nonprofits pick up at the CTC or directly form the farmer
• Students working at the Food Hub had input, they now own the Idea and the System
• The School Wanted to Create this Food Hub and Did working with Clancy and Team

The Sante Foundation, to raise money, bring awareness, and build Centers to bring healthy food and services into underserved urban neighborhoods. In the world we live in today, we all need to do more to support one another and bring Hope into other people’s lives.

Join me every week as we redefine wellness one plate at a time. Let’s make healthy eating accessible for everyone while supporting local sustainable farmers, chefs, businesses, and organizations. 

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This Podcast is a production of Sante Strategies, LLC.   Sante translated is - Health Means Everything. 

This is the company my wife and I have started to begin this health and longevity journey, focused on food.

Disclaimer: We are sharing our experiences on this Podcast. Please be sure to consult a medical professional.