Topic: Access

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This Week's Episode

Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with Tory Martin, leader at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy.

Our guest, Tory Martin, is a leader at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, where she helps study and interpret national trends shaping the nonprofit and philanthropic world. Her work looks beyond headlines to examine how trust, technology, and data are reshaping how nonprofits operate and how the public experiences their work.

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On This Episode

The Six Dimensions Revealed

Although the Six Dimensions of Food Security were not explicitly named during the conversation, each one surfaced naturally through the lived experience, operational insight, and policy leadership shared by Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, and Melissa Cherney.

Availability emerged through the practical realities of moving food across vast geography—from serving more than 70,000 square miles in North Dakota to leveraging federal commodity programs like TEFAP. The discussion made clear that food security begins with ensuring food is physically present in communities, whether through local purchasing, national procurement, or coordinated federal investment.

Access revealed itself through deeply personal stories. Both Melissa and Dr. Knight shared experiences navigating SNAP during seasons of vulnerability, highlighting the administrative burdens, eligibility thresholds, and bureaucratic friction that often stand between families and the assistance designed to help them. The conversation underscored that access is not simply about eligibility—it is about reliability, dignity, and trust in the systems that deliver support.

Utilization surfaced in the evolution of food banking itself. The shift from distributing whatever food could be recovered to ensuring the right food, at the right time, in the right quantities reflects a growing understanding that nourishment—not just calories—matters. Every household has unique needs, and effective food security must consider health, culture, and usability.

Stability ran throughout the episode in discussions of federal shutdowns, SNAP policy shifts, and the fragility of benefit continuity. When programs pause or change abruptly, families experience instability that erodes trust and planning capacity. Advocacy, even when imperfect, plays a critical role in protecting that stability and lessening harm.

Sustainability appeared most powerfully in the conversation about aligning food banking with local agriculture. By investing millions of dollars annually into local growers, food banks can strengthen regional economies while preventing hunger upstream. Food security and agricultural viability are not separate systems—they are interdependent.

Finally, Agency was woven through the personal narratives shared. Hunger was described not as an identity but as a circumstance. Applying for SNAP required courage; leaving it behind restored independence. At the national level, Melissa’s leadership of Feeding America’s Public Engagement Advisory Committee reflects collective agency—ensuring that those closest to hunger solutions have a voice in shaping policy.

Taken together, this episode demonstrates that the Six Dimensions are not abstract theory. They are already embedded in how thoughtful leaders approach hunger—intuitively, holistically, and systemically. When the dimensions align, communities move closer to the next threshold of food security.

Perhaps most encouraging, this episode demonstrates that the Six Dimensions are no longer theoretical constructs — they are becoming instinctive lenses through which experienced leaders evaluate policy, operations, and human impact.

Policy Impact

This Is What Leadership Looks Like

As Chair of the Public Engagement Advisory Committee for Feeding America, Melissa Cherney helps shape federal policies that impact families in every county in the United States.

From this conversation, three national imperatives rise:

Align Agriculture & Hunger Policy for Prosperity for All
Invest in farmers. Strengthen local economies. Prevent hunger upstream.

Safeguard and Evaluate SNAP but First Do No Harm
Stability builds trust. Trust builds resilience.

Create Program Alignment to Achieve Desired Outcomes
No one should lose food assistance because of bureaucratic misfires.

We are not here simply to move food. We are here to strengthen the system that determines who gets it, how much they receive, and for how long. That is how a nation becomes food secure.

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This Week's Guest

Melissa brings a rare combination to the national stage:

  • Nearly two decades of food bank leadership—from the rural expanse of North Dakota to the densely populated communities of Rhode Island.
  • Firsthand experience with food insecurity as a college student navigating SNAP benefits.
  • A deep understanding that hunger does not define a person—it reflects a circumstance.

Her story reinforces a critical truth: hunger hides in plain sight. The face of food insecurity looks like any one of us.

Melissa brings a rare and powerful combination to the national stage. With nearly two decades of food bank leadership spanning the rural expanse of North Dakota to the densely populated communities of Rhode Island, she understands both the geographic and systemic realities of hunger in America. Her leadership is informed not only by executive experience, but by personal history. As a college student navigating a season of food insecurity and receiving SNAP benefits for a short time, she learned firsthand that hunger does not define a person—it reflects a circumstance. That lived experience did not limit her; it shaped her.

Her story reinforces a critical truth that echoes throughout the conversation: hunger hides in plain sight. The face of food insecurity looks like any one of us. It can be a farm kid from North Dakota, a struggling student trying to make tuition and rent work, or a working family navigating an unexpected disruption. This episode reminds listeners that the work of building a food secure nation begins with understanding the dignity, resilience, and agency of the people at the center of the issue.

Melissa Cherney

CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

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Melissa Cherney

CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Melissa Cherney became the CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in August 2024, bringing over two decades of leadership from her home state of North Dakota, where she previously served as CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank. A veteran advocate in the “food banking” world, Cherney also serves as the chair of Feeding America’s Policy Engagement and Advocacy Committee. Her approach is rooted in the belief that hunger is a solvable equation, focusing on providing “culturally appropriate” and medically tailored foods rather than just standard food boxes. She is driven by a long-term goal to “work herself out of a job” by addressing the root causes of poverty, such as housing and healthcare costs.

Cherney’s passion for the mission is deeply personal, informed by her own experience using SNAP benefits during a difficult year in college. This lived experience fuels her commitment to changing the narrative around hunger and ensuring that the social safety net provides a “hand up” to those in need. Now a resident of the Edgewood neighborhood in Cranston, she has quickly embraced the Rhode Island community—and its local pizza—alongside her two rescue golden retrievers, Cece and Nilla.

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This Week's Episode

Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with Melissa Cherney, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Chair of the Public Engagement Advisory Committee for Feeding America.

Together, they explore what real influence looks like in the fight against hunger—not headline-making power, but steady, principled leadership grounded in lived experience, operational excellence, and a national policy perspective

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On This Episode

The Six Dimensions Revealed

Although the Six Dimensions of Food Security were not explicitly named during the conversation, each one surfaced naturally through the lived experience, operational insight, and policy leadership shared by Dr. Phil Knight, Gerry Brisson, and Melissa Cherney.

Availability emerged through the practical realities of moving food across vast geography—from serving more than 70,000 square miles in North Dakota to leveraging federal commodity programs like TEFAP. The discussion made clear that food security begins with ensuring food is physically present in communities, whether through local purchasing, national procurement, or coordinated federal investment.

Access revealed itself through deeply personal stories. Both Melissa and Dr. Knight shared experiences navigating SNAP during seasons of vulnerability, highlighting the administrative burdens, eligibility thresholds, and bureaucratic friction that often stand between families and the assistance designed to help them. The conversation underscored that access is not simply about eligibility—it is about reliability, dignity, and trust in the systems that deliver support.

Utilization surfaced in the evolution of food banking itself. The shift from distributing whatever food could be recovered to ensuring the right food, at the right time, in the right quantities reflects a growing understanding that nourishment—not just calories—matters. Every household has unique needs, and effective food security must consider health, culture, and usability.

Stability ran throughout the episode in discussions of federal shutdowns, SNAP policy shifts, and the fragility of benefit continuity. When programs pause or change abruptly, families experience instability that erodes trust and planning capacity. Advocacy, even when imperfect, plays a critical role in protecting that stability and lessening harm.

Sustainability appeared most powerfully in the conversation about aligning food banking with local agriculture. By investing millions of dollars annually into local growers, food banks can strengthen regional economies while preventing hunger upstream. Food security and agricultural viability are not separate systems—they are interdependent.

Finally, Agency was woven through the personal narratives shared. Hunger was described not as an identity but as a circumstance. Applying for SNAP required courage; leaving it behind restored independence. At the national level, Melissa’s leadership of Feeding America’s Public Engagement Advisory Committee reflects collective agency—ensuring that those closest to hunger solutions have a voice in shaping policy.

Taken together, this episode demonstrates that the Six Dimensions are not abstract theory. They are already embedded in how thoughtful leaders approach hunger—intuitively, holistically, and systemically. When the dimensions align, communities move closer to the next threshold of food security.

Perhaps most encouraging, this episode demonstrates that the Six Dimensions are no longer theoretical constructs — they are becoming instinctive lenses through which experienced leaders evaluate policy, operations, and human impact.

Policy Impact

This Is What Leadership Looks Like

As Chair of the Public Engagement Advisory Committee for Feeding America, Melissa Cherney helps shape federal policies that impact families in every county in the United States.

From this conversation, three national imperatives rise:

Align Agriculture & Hunger Policy for Prosperity for All
Invest in farmers. Strengthen local economies. Prevent hunger upstream.

Safeguard and Evaluate SNAP but First Do No Harm
Stability builds trust. Trust builds resilience.

Create Program Alignment to Achieve Desired Outcomes
No one should lose food assistance because of bureaucratic misfires.

We are not here simply to move food. We are here to strengthen the system that determines who gets it, how much they receive, and for how long. That is how a nation becomes food secure.

KBDB fish icon in blue
red arrow pointing right

This Week's Guest

Melissa brings a rare combination to the national stage:

  • Nearly two decades of food bank leadership—from the rural expanse of North Dakota to the densely populated communities of Rhode Island.
  • Firsthand experience with food insecurity as a college student navigating SNAP benefits.
  • A deep understanding that hunger does not define a person—it reflects a circumstance.

Her story reinforces a critical truth: hunger hides in plain sight. The face of food insecurity looks like any one of us.

Melissa brings a rare and powerful combination to the national stage. With nearly two decades of food bank leadership spanning the rural expanse of North Dakota to the densely populated communities of Rhode Island, she understands both the geographic and systemic realities of hunger in America. Her leadership is informed not only by executive experience, but by personal history. As a college student navigating a season of food insecurity and receiving SNAP benefits for a short time, she learned firsthand that hunger does not define a person—it reflects a circumstance. That lived experience did not limit her; it shaped her.

Her story reinforces a critical truth that echoes throughout the conversation: hunger hides in plain sight. The face of food insecurity looks like any one of us. It can be a farm kid from North Dakota, a struggling student trying to make tuition and rent work, or a working family navigating an unexpected disruption. This episode reminds listeners that the work of building a food secure nation begins with understanding the dignity, resilience, and agency of the people at the center of the issue.

Melissa Cherney

CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

×

Melissa Cherney

CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

Melissa Cherney became the CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in August 2024, bringing over two decades of leadership from her home state of North Dakota, where she previously served as CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank. A veteran advocate in the “food banking” world, Cherney also serves as the chair of Feeding America’s Policy Engagement and Advocacy Committee. Her approach is rooted in the belief that hunger is a solvable equation, focusing on providing “culturally appropriate” and medically tailored foods rather than just standard food boxes. She is driven by a long-term goal to “work herself out of a job” by addressing the root causes of poverty, such as housing and healthcare costs.

Cherney’s passion for the mission is deeply personal, informed by her own experience using SNAP benefits during a difficult year in college. This lived experience fuels her commitment to changing the narrative around hunger and ensuring that the social safety net provides a “hand up” to those in need. Now a resident of the Edgewood neighborhood in Cranston, she has quickly embraced the Rhode Island community—and its local pizza—alongside her two rescue golden retrievers, Cece and Nilla.

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This Week's Episode

Bridging Policy and Human Experience

Food Secure Nation welcomes Dr. Sheril Krishenbaum, a renown writer and scientist who cares deeply about this stubborn challenge of food security. A positive solution oriented scholar who brings her unique insight to both policy and practices of addressing hunger and creating food security.

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On This Episode

Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson are joined by Dr. Sheril Kirshenbaum, a nationally recognized expert in science, policy, and governance, for a timely and deeply substantive conversation on food security in America.

At the heart of the discussion is a shared conviction: food insecurity is not a mystery—it is a systems problem. And systems problems require more than compassion or slogans; they demand understanding, alignment, and accountability.

Using the Six Dimensions of Food Security—availability, access, utilization, stability, sustainability, and agency—the conversation explores how food insecurity is shaped not by a single failure, but by the interaction of policies across nutrition, health care, workforce participation, agriculture, and state–federal partnerships. Decisions made far from kitchen tables often ripple through families’ lives in profound and unintended ways.

Dr. Kirshenbaum brings a rare dual perspective: rigorous academic research paired with firsthand experience inside federal policymaking. She highlights how well-intentioned policies—particularly around SNAP, work requirements, and benefit eligibility—can misalign with real human behavior, creating financial cliffs and administrative burdens that discourage progress rather than support it. These misalignments are not theoretical; they shape daily decisions for families trying to stay afloat.

A central theme of the episode is trust. When governments and institutions fail to deliver on promised support, the damage extends beyond immediate funding gaps. It erodes trust among families, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations—forcing systems designed for long-term stability into perpetual crisis mode. Rebuilding that trust, the conversation argues, is as critical as restoring resources.

The episode also challenges simplistic narratives about hunger. Food security, done well, is not about dependency. It is about stability, dignity, and agency—designing systems that allow people to participate fully in their families, their work, and their communities. Storytelling matters, but only when paired with measurable outcomes and policy coherence that actually improves lives.

Ultimately, this conversation reframes food security as a shared responsibility—not a choice between government or charity, but a coordinated effort where each does what it is uniquely equipped to do, and does it well.

A food secure nation is built not by good intentions alone, but by aligned systems, earned trust, and policies centered on real human outcomes.

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This Week's Guest

Dr Sheril Kirshenbaum shares her insights on Food Security.

Dr. Sheril Kirshenbaum joins the show to share her unique insights on the intersection of science, policy, and the American dinner table. As an Emmy Award-winning scientist at Michigan State University and host of the PBS series Serving Up Science, Sheril bridges the gap between rigorous academic research and the real-world decisions made in the halls of government.

In this episode, she joins Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson to dissect why food insecurity is a “systems problem” rather than a mystery. From the impact of federal SNAP policies to the critical role of institutional trust, Sheril reveals how the Six Dimensions of Food Security shape the lives of every American family. Her perspective challenges us to move beyond simple narratives and toward a food-secure nation built on dignity, agency, and measurable outcomes.

Dr. Sheril Kirshenbaum

American Science Writer and Scientist

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Dr. Sheril Kirshenbaum

American Science Writer and Scientist

Dr. Sheril Kirshenbaum is an Emmy Award-winning scientist and author in the Office of Research and Innovation at Michigan State University. She is also an assistant professor in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and her research explores how senior policymakers in the U.S. government make decisions about science and policy. She hosts and writes the PBS series, Serving Up Science.

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This Week's Episode

The Six Dimensions of Food Security

Policies, programs and being people centric helps create a stable food supply chain. Scott Piggott, a farmer discusses with Gerry and Phil the realities of how programs designed to support agriculture need to be stable so our access to food is as well.

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On This Episode

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson lay down the framework that will guide the entire series: the Six Dimensions of Food Security.

They start by naming what most people in this work already feel in their bones: food insecurity persists not because people don’t care, not because we lack food, and not because we lack committed organizations, donors, volunteers, and public servants. Food insecurity persists because it doesn’t live in just one place. It shows up differently depending on where you stand—access, affordability, nutrition, dignity, reliability—and when we focus on only one piece, we might make progress, but we rarely make it last.

That’s the point of the six dimensions: not to tell people what to think, but to help all of us think better—to step back, see the whole system, and understand where misalignment creates gaps families can fall through.

Gerry walks through the six dimensions in plain language:

  • Availability – Is there food at all?
  • Access – If it exists, can you reach it and afford it?
  • Utilization – Is it the right food for your life, culture, and health—and can you actually use it?
  • Agency – Do you have the capacity, choice, and control to turn what’s available into food security for your household?
  • Stability – Will it be there when I need it?
  • Sustainability – Will it be there as long as it’s needed?

A key insight lands hard: we need solutions in each dimension, and we must design any solution with all six dimensions in mind. Build a grocery store? Great—unless it’s unaffordable, unreachable, culturally mismatched, too complex to use, unstable, or dependent on fragile funding.

Phil and Gerry make it memorable with two analogies: a marching band (you can’t build a band out of only tubas) and a football team (a great quarterback without a line gets crushed). Translation: your lane matters—but your lane isn’t the whole road.

The episode closes with the heart of the show’s mission: communities become food secure when strong efforts stop operating in isolation and partners understand how their work fits together. The next episodes bring experts to each dimension—starting with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot on Agency, then voices like Stacy Dean and Dr. Dawn Opel to deepen the conversation.

Food for Thought: You don’t have to do everything to create a food secure community, but everything does have to get done. The question is: Which dimension am I strongest in, and who do I need beside me for the rest?

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This Week's Guest

Scott Piggott shares his insights on Food Security.

As the Executive Director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association and a veteran leader in agricultural policy, Scott brings over 20 years of expertise to our discussion on the Stability of our food systems.

He joins the show to talk about how policies designed to support farmers are the bedrock of a reliable food supply chain for every American household. From his work with the Michigan Farm Bureau to his role on the Food Bank Council of Michigan, Scott reveals why a stable agricultural framework is essential to moving from awareness to bold action.

Scott Piggott

Executive Director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association

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Scott Piggott

Executive Director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association

Scott Piggott has served as Executive Director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan since March of 2025.

Prior to his current responsibilities, Scott built a 24-year career with Michigan Farm Bureau. Scott began his career with Michigan Farm Bureau in 2000 as the Natural Resources and Right to Farm Specialist and became manager of the newly created Agricultural Ecology Department in 2002 where his responsibilities included all environmental issues that impact agriculture.  Beginning in 2012, Scott served as Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Farm Bureau.  As CEO, Scott was responsible for planning, managing, and supervising all ongoing services and programs provided by Farm Bureau for members.

During his career, Scott has served on over 20 boards and committees including co-chairmanship of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program and the Michigan Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council.  Scott represented Great Lakes Basin agriculture in the development of the Great Lakes Compact that was eventually codified in state and federal law. Scott has been an invited fellow at Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and the University of Toronto.  He currently serves as a director for several non-profits and financial institutions including the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Farm Bureau Family Credit Union.

Scott earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biosystems Engineering from Michigan State University.  He received the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from the MSU Agricultural Engineering Department and the Distinguished Alumni Award in the College of Engineering in 2019.  Scott received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2023.

Scott farms with his family near Fowler, Michigan with his wife Donna.  They have 4 grown children, Danielle, Kaitie, Tony, and Andrew.

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Featured Issue

  • The Six Dimensions of Food Security
    No.
    1
    Food Safety Infrastructure | Utilization

    The Six Dimensions of Food Security

    If our goal is a food secure America, changemakers need to consider all six pillars of food security when we think about our work.

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This Week's Episode

Why Food Insecurity Still Exists in America

The United States has more than enough food in aggregate and one of the world’s most sophisticated food systems. Yet food insecurity persists year after year. The reason is not a single failure. It is a set of reinforcing pressures that keep many households one missed paycheck, one medical bill, or one rent increase away from running out of food.

This inaugural episode invites listeners to step back and look honestly at how our food system evolved. From the agricultural breakthroughs that made the United States a global breadbasket, to the birth of food banking as a way to distribute surplus, the system did what it was designed to do. But the world changed—and the conversation didn’t keep up.

Food Secure Nation exists to change that conversation.

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About the Episode

This show begins with a simple but uncomfortable truth: food insecurity is something we created—and therefore something we can solve. Not with slogans. Not with blame. But with better thinking, better alignment, and better courage.

In America, 42 million people live with food insecurity. Not because we lack food—we waste nearly 40% of what we produce—but because access, systems, and priorities don’t line up. Hunger is visible. Food insecurity is quieter, more complex, and far more consequential.

Food insecurity touches everything:

  • A child’s ability to learn
  • A parent’s health and mental well-being
  • A worker’s productivity
  • A community’s stability

And yet, we often talk about it as if it’s someone else’s problem—or worse, a personal failure. It’s neither.

This is not a show about charity. It’s about responsibility. Not about guilt, but possibility.

Not about having all the answers but about asking better questions—together.

We believe dignity matters. Nutrition matters. Consistency matters. And solutions only work when they meet people where they are, without judgment. Solving food insecurity isn’t about doing more of the same; it’s about doing the right things, at the right level, with the right partners.

Our commitment is simple: to bring forward the evidence, the voices, the wisdom, and the urgency needed to prove that food insecurity in America can be solved—and to invite anyone who cares about their community, their workforce, their children, or their future to be part of that work.

Because hunger may be loud—but food insecurity is quieter, deeper, and more dangerous.

And when we know better, we can do better. That’s how we build a Food Secure Nation.

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Know Better

What the numbers say (recent years)

  • Roughly 12 to 14% of U.S. households (over 15 million households, about 40 million people) have experienced food insecurity in recent years.
  • The rate rose sharply after pandemic-era supports tapered and inflation surged: 10.2% (2021) to 12.8% (2022) to 13.5% (2023).
  • More than half of food-insecure households include a full-time worker, showing this is also a working-family issue.

SNAP participation reduces the likelihood of being food insecure by about 30%, but many eligible households are not enrolled, and benefits can fall short by month-end.

 

What it would mean to solve this

“Solved” means that every person can reliably obtain enough nutritious food in every season and region, including when shocks hit. In practice, that would look like:

  • Food insecurity becomes rare, not cyclical. Rates do not spike with recessions, disasters, or policy rollbacks.
  • Disparities narrow and then disappear. Households with children, single-parent families, and Black, Hispanic, and Native American households are no longer systematically more at risk.
  • Support systems catch people quickly. Short-term hardship does not become long-term instability.

 

Why it persists: a system that reinforces itself

Food insecurity is best understood as a set of linked loops. Low resources reduce food purchasing power. Food insecurity then increases stress and worsens health, which can reduce work capacity and raise expenses, deepening the original problem. Safety net programs counteract this loop, but gaps in access, adequacy, and coordination limit their ability to offset the pressures fully.

The evidence points to a consistent set of persistent barriers:

  • Low income and low wages: Households cut food first when money is tight.
  • High essential expenses: Housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare costs force trade-offs.
  • Safety net gaps and shortfalls: Under-enrollment, eligibility limits, and benefit adequacy issues persist.
  • Administrative burden and stigma: Complex processes deter enrollment and consistent use.
  • Unequal burden across communities: Rates remain higher among Black, Hispanic, and Native American households.
  • Physical access barriers: Distance and transportation can make affordable, nutritious food harder to reach.
  • Fragmented governance: Programs seem to create gaps and diffuse accountability.

 

What’s changing now and the questions worth watching

Recent years have shown how quickly food insecurity can move when policy and prices change. Several changes are reshaping the landscape:

  • Policy whiplash as a driver: What happens when temporary supports expire, and which supports become durable over time?
  • The post-2021 SNAP benefit baseline is higher due to the Thrifty Food Plan update, but does it keep pace with local costs and end-of-month gaps?
  • Summer nutrition: With Summer EBT beginning in 2024 and more states adopting universal free school meals, will child food hardship stabilize outside the school year?
  • Access is evolving: SNAP online purchasing is now nationwide, but will delivery reach rural areas and households with limited digital access?
  • National ambition meets local execution: The federal goal to end hunger by 2030 is a strong signal, but which actors are accountable for measurable progress and equity in outcomes?

 

Why this matters for the conversation

If food insecurity were only about food supply, it would already be solved. The hard part is the system: income, costs, access, program design, and resilience through shocks. Bring your view of what is most underestimated, what is working, and where the real trade-offs show up in practice.

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Additional Resources

Toxic stress: We say food insecurity creates toxic stress in the household. Why do we say that and what do we mean by it? Do we understand the household consequences of food insecurity?

There is substantial evidence that food insecurity contributes to toxic stress at the household level, particularly affecting mental and emotional well-being.  Reducing toxic stress in households is crucial because chronic exposure to stress can have long-term, harmful effects on physical, emotional, and cognitive health—especially for children.

 

Spending time on this issue will help:

  • Program staff – increase empathy and understanding of the people they serve.
  • Public relations staff – provide language to tell the whole story of the people we serve.
  • Fund raising staff – deliver compelling case points.
  • Executive leadership – support organizational values beyond providing pounds of food and develop metrics that are outcomes, not just outputs; provide transparency and live by example.
  • Board of Directors – deliver clarity about values and outcomes
  • Grant reviewers – uphold values common to many grant makers
  • Funders of food security efforts – deliver set of ideas and specific ways to make a difference

 

Values: Curiosity, Integrity
4-part food security scorecard: Access, Utilization, Stability

There is substantial evidence that food insecurity contributes to toxic stress at the household level, particularly affecting mental and emotional well-being.

Here are key findings from recent research:

1. Food Insecurity as a Source of Toxic Stress

A 2024 JAMA Pediatrics viewpoint article explicitly identifies food insecurity as a source of toxic stress, especially for children. It highlights how food insecurity contributes to psychological, cognitive, and behavioral health consequences, which can lead to lifelong socioeconomic and health inequities. The authors advocate for addressing food insecurity as a root cause of toxic stress in clinical and policy settings.

 

2. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A 2024 systematic review published in BMC Nutrition analyzed data from over 2 million participants. It found that food insecurity increased the odds of psychological distress by 329%. Associated outcomes included:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Sleep problems
  • Lower life satisfaction
  • Obesity
  • Increased smoking rates

These findings underscore food insecurity as a chronic stressor with both mental and physical health consequences.

 

3. Causal Link to Mental Health Symptoms

A longitudinal study published in AJMC tracked nearly 500 adults and found a direct causal relationship between food insecurity and increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Notably, symptoms appeared within just one month of becoming food insecure and were reversible when food security was restored. This highlights the acute psychological impact of food insecurity.

 

4. Family Stress and Violence Risk

A 2023 research review for the Army Family Advocacy Program emphasized that food insecurity is a significant stressor for families, especially when combined with financial hardship, frequent transitions, or family conflict. It can exacerbate family stress and increase the risk of domestic violence and emotional strain.

 

5. Global and Cultural Dimensions

Studies from countries like Ghana and Indonesia show that food insecurity is linked to risky behaviors, suicidal ideation, and mental health disorders, especially among youth. These findings suggest that food insecurity’s psychological impact is universal, though shaped by cultural and social contexts.

Why should household toxic stress be reduced?

Reducing toxic stress in households is crucial because chronic exposure to stress can have long-term, harmful effects on physical, emotional, and cognitive health—especially for children. Here’s why it matters:

 

1. Brain Development in Children

Toxic stress disrupts the architecture of a child’s developing brain. This can lead to:

  • Impaired learning and memory
  • Difficulty regulating emotions
  • Increased risk of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression

Children exposed to toxic stress early in life are more likely to struggle academically and socially.

 

2. Physical Health Consequences

Toxic stress is linked to:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Weakened immune function

These effects can persist into adulthood, increasing healthcare costs and reducing quality of life.

 

3. Family Functioning and Relationships

Stress can strain relationships within the household, leading to:

  • Increased conflict
  • Reduced emotional availability from caregivers
  • Higher risk of domestic violence or neglect

Reducing toxic stress helps families build resilience, trust, and emotional stability.

 

4. Economic and Social Impact

Households experiencing toxic stress often face:

  • Reduced productivity
  • Difficulty maintaining employment
  • Higher reliance on social services

Addressing toxic stress can improve economic stability and community well-being.

 

5. Prevention Is More Effective Than Treatment

Intervening early to reduce toxic stress—through food security, stable housing, mental health support, and nurturing relationships—is more cost-effective than treating the long-term consequences later.

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Do Better

Leadership & Culture: Work on Clear Vision and Values re: stress

  • Ensure leaders consistently communicate the organization’s mission and values regarding stress and stress reduction.
  • Align leadership behavior with company culture desired.

 

Dignity: Train Staff in Trauma-Informed Care

  • Equip frontline staff with skills to handle sensitive situations with empathy.
  • Focus on respect, dignity, and non-judgmental communication.

 

Program: Improve compassion/empathy

  • Tell the stories of people served.
  • Explain things that may not look right, like why someone has a nice car.
  • Have staff members tell their stories.

 

Operations: Strategic Enhancements

  • Focus on customer experience: Streamlined operations often lead to faster service and higher satisfaction.
  • Improve cross-functional collaboration: Break down silos between departments to boost agility.
  • Train and empower staff: Well-trained employees make fewer mistakes and adapt faster to changes.

 

Advocacy: Communication Tactics

  • Tell Stories: Personal narratives are more persuasive than statistics alone. Share real-life examples that highlight the impact of your cause.
  • Know Your Audience: Adapt your tone and content to match their values. Policymakers respond to data; communities respond to personal impact.
  • Practice & Prepare: Rehearse your message, anticipate objections, and refine your delivery.

Dignity: Why it is important and what we mean when we say we want to improve dignity for the people served by our work.

Dignity refers to the inherent worth and value of every individual. It’s one of the core ethical principles outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), emphasizing that:

  • Every person deserves respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or choices.
  • Cultural and ethnic diversity must be honored, recognizing that dignity looks different across communities.
  • Self-determination is key—clients should be empowered to make their own choices and take control of their lives.
  • Balancing individual and societal needs is part of the role; social workers must navigate tensions between personal rights and broader social responsibilities in a respectful, ethical way.

Ultimately, dignity means treating people not just as clients or cases, but as whole human beings with stories, strengths, and the right to be heard and valued.

Spending time on this issue will help:

  • Program staff – support their ideas/tendencies toward greater dignity even if it costs more.
  • Public relations staff – provide language to tell the whole story of the people we serve.
  • Fund raising staff – deliver compelling case points.
  • Executive leadership – Provide compelling rationale for board members, donors, and team members for investing in activities that provide greater dignity; support organizational values; provide transparency and live by example.
  • Board of Directors – deliver clarity about values
  • Grant reviewers – uphold values common to many grant makers
  • Funders of food security efforts – deliver set of ideas and specific ways to make a difference

 

Values: Curiosity, Integrity
4-part food security scorecard: Access, Utilization, Stability

Why Dignity Works

Builds Trust: People are more likely to engage with services and follow through when they feel respected.

Reduces Trauma: Dignity-centered environments minimize psychological harm, which supports long-term recovery and reintegration.

Encourages Responsibility: Empowering individuals fosters accountability and personal growth.

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Do Better

Improving dignity in food distribution isn’t just about what’s given—it’s about how it’s given.

Here are some powerful, research-backed recommendations to help your team elevate the experience for those you serve:

Build Trust Through Relationships

  • Engage personally: Go beyond transactions. Regularly check in with community partners and recipients to understand their evolving needs.
  • Ask, don’t assume: Involve the community in shaping the distribution model. What do they want? What feels respectful to them?

 

Offer Choice and Cultural Relevance

  • Provide options: Let people choose from available foods rather than handing out pre-packed bags. This fosters autonomy and respect.
  • Honor cultural preferences: Include foods that reflect the cultural backgrounds of your recipients. This affirms identity and dignity.

 

Shift from Quantity to Quality

  • Focus on emotional and practical value: Dignity includes how food makes people feel—safe, respected, and cared for—not just how much they receive.
  • Include fresh and familiar items: Fresh produce, recognizable brands, and even occasional comfort foods can make a big difference.

 

Create Welcoming Environments

  • Design with dignity in mind: Set up distribution spaces that feel inviting, not clinical. Avoid long lines or public exposure that may feel stigmatizing.
  • Train volunteers in empathy: A warm greeting and respectful tone go a long way in preserving dignity.

 

Use Data to Serve Better

  • Combine feedback with mapping tools: Use GIS or similar data to identify underserved areas and tailor your outreach accordingly.
  • Track preferences and outcomes: Monitor what foods are most appreciated and adjust your sourcing accordingly.