Topic: Stability

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This Week's Episode

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with Triada Stampas, President and CEO of Fulfill Food Bank in New Jersey, for a conversation that challenges how we think about solving hunger in America.

Triada brings a unique perspective shaped by her journey through public policy, government oversight, and food banking leadership. What began as an investigation into SNAP access in New York City became a defining moment—revealing how systems, not effort, often stand between families and the food they need. That insight continues to shape her approach today.

At Fulfill, Triada is leading with a mindset that goes beyond food distribution to focus on outcomes, equity, and long-term food security. She shares how her organization is balancing scale with proximity—being large enough to influence systems, yet close enough to understand community-level impact. From zip code-level strategies to a deeper focus on the “edges” where people are often missed, her work highlights the tension between efficiency and effectiveness in the charitable food system.

This episode explores the difference between addressing hunger and creating food security, the role of policy in shaping outcomes, and the kind of leadership required to question systems that may be producing exactly the results they were designed to deliver.

It’s a conversation about perspective, courage, and the willingness to ask a harder question: not just how we do more—but whether we should be doing something different.

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On This Episode

Triada’s story begins far from traditional food banking. Drawn first to medicine, then public policy, then politics, she found her way into the work through a New York City investigation into SNAP access. What she discovered changed the trajectory of her career: families were struggling to afford food while billions in federal nutrition benefits were being left unused because systems had been designed with barriers instead of access. That realization hooked her.

Her leadership reflects a rare combination of policy intelligence, human curiosity, and systems thinking. Raised in Queens in a deeply multicultural community and trained in both social anthropology and public policy, Triada brings a wide worldview to food banking — one that balances data with dignity and numbers with the real lives behind them.

At Fulfill, that perspective is shaping a food bank that is big enough to operate at a systems level, but small enough to see what is happening community by community. Triada described Fulfill’s work at the zip-code level, asking not simply how to move more food, but whether food and resources are reaching the places that are easiest to miss. Her insight was clear: efficiency matters, but if the work only aims for the middle, the most vulnerable people may remain on the edges.

The conversation sharpened a core truth for Food Secure Nation: food insecurity will not be solved by effort alone. Food banks are working hard, but leadership must be willing to question whether the systems we have built are producing the outcomes we say we want. Triada Stampas represents the kind of leader this moment requires — thoughtful, courageous, policy-smart, and unwilling to accept that “more of the same” is enough.

Creating a food secure nation requires leaders who can see the whole system and still notice the edges. That is where the next level of the work begins.

Big enough to shape systems.
Small enough to see people.

Triada Stampas

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This Week's Guest

Triada Stampas

Triada Stampas is the President and CEO of Fulfill Food Bank, where she is helping redefine what it means to create food security at the community level. With a background spanning public policy, government oversight, and hunger advocacy, Triada brings a systems-focused approach to food banking that blends strategy, dignity, and what she calls “policy smarts.”

Before leading Fulfill, Triada held leadership roles at the Food Bank For New York City and Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Her journey into the work began through public service in New York City government, where investigations into SNAP access and systemic barriers to food assistance ignited her passion for fighting hunger at scale. A graduate of Columbia University, Triada combines analytical rigor with a deeply human understanding of the communities food banks serve. She also serves nationally with Feeding America through the Public Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC).

Triada Stampas

President and CEO of Fulfill Food Bank

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Triada Stampas

President and CEO of Fulfill Food Bank

Triada Stampas is the President and CEO of Fulfill Food Bank, where she is helping redefine what it means to create food security at the community level. With a background spanning public policy, government oversight, and hunger advocacy, Triada brings a systems-focused approach to food banking that blends strategy, dignity, and what she calls “policy smarts.”

Before leading Fulfill, Triada held leadership roles at the Food Bank For New York City and Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Her journey into the work began through public service in New York City government, where investigations into SNAP access and systemic barriers to food assistance ignited her passion for fighting hunger at scale. A graduate of Columbia University, Triada combines analytical rigor with a deeply human understanding of the communities food banks serve. She also serves nationally with Feeding America through the Public Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC).

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This Week's Episode

If we’re serious about outcomes, partnership isn’t optional. It’s essential.

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with Brian McGrain, Executive Director of Michigan Community Action, for a conversation that models the kind of collaboration required to move to the next frontier of food security. Together, they explore how Community Action Agencies and food banks—alongside schools, health systems, and workforce partners—must move beyond parallel efforts and into coordinated, community-driven solutions.

At the center of the conversation is a defining truth: families do not experience our systems separately—they experience whether life works. When systems are disconnected, people are left to navigate the gaps. But when leaders align their strengths, they can blend those systems into coordinated solutions that meet real-life needs.

This episode is an example of what it looks like to lead beyond organizational boundaries—activating the six dimensions of food security in practice, not theory—and a challenge to leaders everywhere: if the goal is real outcomes, then partnership isn’t a strategy. It’s a requirement.

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On This Episode

Food security takes shape when communities align around the people they serve. In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson welcome Brian McGrain, Executive Director of Michigan Community Action, for a conversation that models the kind of partnership required to move to the next frontier of this work.

McGrain represents 27 Community Action Agencies across Michigan, part of a national network of nearly 1,000 agencies working to address the conditions that keep families in crisis. Serving all 83 counties, these agencies operate across housing, food access, utility assistance, early childhood programs, financial empowerment, and more—bringing a comprehensive, community-based approach to stability and self-sufficiency.

At the center of the conversation is a defining truth: families do not experience our systems separately—they experience whether life works.

A parent trying to put food on the table may also be facing housing instability, rising utility costs, transportation challenges, and wages that are not keeping up with the cost of living. When systems are disconnected, people are left to navigate the gaps. When leaders align their strengths, they can blend those systems into coordinated solutions that meet real-life needs.

That is where real progress happens.

Food banks, Community Action Agencies, health systems, schools, workforce programs, and local leaders each bring something essential. When those strengths are intentionally connected, communities begin to activate the six dimensions of food security—availability, access, utilization, stability, sustainability, and agency. No single organization carries all six, but together, they can.

McGrain highlights that Community Action Agencies are locally governed, deeply connected to the communities they serve, and grounded in lived experience. That perspective ensures that solutions are shaped with people, not simply delivered to them.

The conversation also acknowledges the real-world tension leaders face—local governance, funding structures, contracts, and service boundaries. These realities matter, but they cannot become barriers. The work ahead requires leaders who are willing to navigate the gaps and blend systems into something better for the people depending on them.

The closing challenge is clear: if we’re serious about outcomes, partnership isn’t optional. It’s a requirement.

People don’t experience our programs—they experience whether life works. If we’re making it harder to be poor, it won’t matter who delivers the service—only whether the need gets met.

Brian McGrain

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This Week's Guests

Brian McGrain

Brian McGrain is the Executive Director of Michigan Community Action, representing 27 Community Action Agencies serving all 83 counties across the state. Part of a national network, these agencies work across housing, food access, and financial stability to help individuals and families move from crisis toward self-sufficiency.

With more than 20 years of experience in community development and public policy, Brian brings a practical, people-centered approach to his leadership—focused on connecting systems and strengthening communities through collaboration.

Brian McGrain

Executive Director of Michigan Community Action

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Brian McGrain

Executive Director of Michigan Community Action

Brian McGrain is the Executive Director of Michigan Community Action, representing 27 Community Action Agencies serving all 83 counties across the state. Part of a national network, these agencies work across housing, food access, and financial stability to help individuals and families move from crisis toward self-sufficiency.

With more than 20 years of experience in community development and public policy, Brian brings a practical, people-centered approach to his leadership—focused on connecting systems and strengthening communities through collaboration.

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This Week's Episode

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson welcome Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, for a conversation about leadership, trust, and the power of doing hard things well.

Jason shares the story behind merging two legacy food banks into one unified statewide organization—an effort that strengthened efficiency, amplified impact, and created a single voice for fighting food insecurity across Connecticut. More than a story about structure, this episode highlights what happens when courage, competence, and mission come together to better serve families and communities.

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On This Episode

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, for a compelling conversation about leadership, trust, and what it truly takes to drive meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector.

At a time when nonprofits are being tested not just on their intentions—but on their competence—Jason’s story stands out. He shares the journey behind one of the most significant structural decisions in recent food banking history: the merger of two long-standing food banks into a single, unified organization serving the entire state of Connecticut.

What makes this story powerful isn’t just the outcome—it’s how it was done. Grounded in a clear and disciplined commitment to “what’s best for the people of Connecticut,” the merger required leaders to set aside history, ego, and institutional identity in favor of mission. The result is a stronger, more efficient organization—saving $1.8 million annually, reinvesting those dollars directly into service, and creating a unified voice that strengthens partnerships with donors, government, and the communities they serve.

But the real impact goes beyond efficiency. Connecticut Foodshare now distributes approximately 47 million meals annually, reaching every corner of the state with greater consistency and coordination. The merger has enabled faster response to crises, stronger donor confidence, and a more effective system designed around people—not geography or legacy structures.

Jason also reflects on the deeper lessons of leadership—how culture is built over time, why people matter more than process, and how trust is earned through action, especially when decisions are difficult. His perspective reinforces a central theme of the show: trust and competence are not separate ideas—they are inseparable, and together, they determine whether progress is possible.

This episode is more than a conversation about organizational change. It is a case study in what happens when leaders align around mission, commit to doing the hard work, and follow through with discipline. It’s a reminder that the path to a food secure nation will require not just good intentions, but bold decisions, shared purpose, and leadership willing to put the community first.

We made a commitment early—no winners, no losers. Just what’s best for the people of Connecticut.

Jason Jakubowski

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This Week's Guests

Jason Jakubowski

Jason Jakubowski is the President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, where he leads a unified, statewide effort to address food insecurity across all 169 communities in Connecticut. Under his leadership, two legacy food banks were successfully merged into a single organization—an ambitious move that strengthened efficiency, expanded impact, and created a more coordinated response for families in need.

In addition to his leadership at Connecticut Foodshare, Jason has spent more than two decades teaching political science at both the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University. His work in the classroom keeps him connected to emerging leaders and evolving perspectives, reinforcing a leadership style rooted in continuous growth.

Jason Jakubowski

President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare

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Jason Jakubowski

President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare

Jason Jakubowski is the President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, where he leads a unified, statewide effort to address food insecurity across all 169 communities in Connecticut. Under his leadership, two legacy food banks were successfully merged into a single organization—an ambitious move that strengthened efficiency, expanded impact, and created a more coordinated response for families in need.

Jason’s path into food banking reflects a lifelong commitment to service. Raised in a family grounded in education and social work, he was instilled early with the responsibility to give back to the community. His career spans public service, higher education, and healthcare, including roles in government relations and serving on city council—experiences that shaped his ability to navigate complex systems and build meaningful partnerships.

In addition to his leadership at Connecticut Foodshare, Jason has spent more than two decades teaching political science at both the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University. His work in the classroom keeps him connected to emerging leaders and evolving perspectives, reinforcing a leadership style rooted in continuous growth.

Known for his emphasis on people and culture, Jason believes that strong organizations are built through trust, shared purpose, and relationships that endure through challenge. His leadership reflects a commitment to collaboration, bipartisan engagement, and ensuring that the work remains centered on those experiencing food insecurity.

Jason’s approach demonstrates that when mission, discipline, and trust come together, organizations can evolve, communities can be better served, and meaningful progress becomes possible.

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This Week's Episode

Leadership isn’t just about getting it right—it’s about how you show up when it matters most.

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dan Flowers—CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and one of the most respected voices in the Feeding America network—joins Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson for a candid, deeply human conversation about what it really takes to lead. With nearly three decades in the work, Dan unpacks the tension between conviction and collaboration, the power of relationships, and the courage required to navigate an increasingly divided world. If you care about leadership that lasts—and work that brings people together—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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On This Episode

Dan Flowers brings more than experience to this conversation—he brings heart, conviction, and nearly 30 years of hard-earned wisdom from inside the work of food banking. In this powerful episode of Food Secure Nation, Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank CEO and recent John Van Hengel Award recipient to explore leadership as both science and art—the systems and discipline that matter, and the human instincts, humility, and courage that make it last. From his early days in Flint to becoming one of the most respected voices in the Feeding America network, Dan reflects on the journey that helped him discover not just a career, but a calling.

This episode goes far beyond résumé and recognition. Dan opens up about the real tensions of leadership—when to fight for your perspective, when to yield to the group, how to recover from mistakes, and why relationships, trust, and second chances are the true markers of lasting influence. His reflections are candid, grounded, and deeply human, revealing a leadership style rooted not in control, but in stewardship, accountability, and how you show up for others.

The conversation also looks forward, tackling what has not changed—and what must—if the hunger-relief field is to remain strong. Dan challenges the growing divisions shaping our culture and makes a compelling case for protecting food security as work that can still unite people across differences. Thoughtful, honest, and deeply inspiring, this episode is a masterclass in leadership—and a reminder that while the science gets us started, it’s the art of leading with courage, humility, and love that truly moves people and changes lives.

When I saw my own extended family in the people being served, that’s when I knew—this is what I want to do with my life.

Dan Flowers

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This Week's Guests

Dan Flowers

Dan Flowers is the President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and a nationally respected leader within the Feeding America network. With nearly 30 years of experience in food banking, Dan has built a career grounded in both operational excellence and a deep commitment to the people this work serves. His leadership journey began in Flint, Michigan, where he discovered his calling while working directly with frontline hunger-relief partners—an experience that continues to shape his perspective today.

In 2025, Dan was honored with the John Van Hengel Award, the highest recognition in the Feeding America network, celebrating a lifetime of impact, leadership, and service. Known for his thoughtful, candid approach, Dan is widely regarded as a leader who brings both conviction and humility to complex challenges—willing to advocate fiercely for his perspective while remaining deeply committed to collaboration and shared outcomes.

Dan’s leadership is defined not just by results, but by relationships. He believes lasting impact is built on trust, accountability, and second chances, and that the true measure of leadership is how you show up—for your team, your community, and the people you serve. His work continues to influence conversations nationally on the future of food banking, the role of surplus food, and the importance of keeping people at the center of every decision.

Dan Flowers

President & CEO

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Dan Flowers

President & CEO

Dan Flowers is the President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and a nationally respected leader within the Feeding America network. With nearly 30 years of experience in food banking, Dan has built a career grounded in both operational excellence and a deep commitment to the people this work serves. His leadership journey began in Flint, Michigan, where he discovered his calling while working directly with frontline hunger-relief partners—an experience that continues to shape his perspective today.

In 2025, Dan was honored with the John Van Hengel Award, the highest recognition in the Feeding America network, celebrating a lifetime of impact, leadership, and service. Known for his thoughtful, candid approach, Dan is widely regarded as a leader who brings both conviction and humility to complex challenges—willing to advocate fiercely for his perspective while remaining deeply committed to collaboration and shared outcomes.

Dan’s leadership is defined not just by results, but by relationships. He believes lasting impact is built on trust, accountability, and second chances, and that the true measure of leadership is how you show up—for your team, your community, and the people you serve. His work continues to influence conversations nationally on the future of food banking, the role of surplus food, and the importance of keeping people at the center of every decision.

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This Week's Episode

This episode goes beyond inspiration and gets to the real challenge at the heart of food security: not a lack of caring, not a lack of ideas, but a lack of connection.

Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson reflect on decades of experience to unpack why so much good work struggles to scale, and why better frameworks, shared learning, and the Six Dimensions of Food Security may be the key to moving from isolated effort to real national progress. If you want to understand what connects the voices, vision, and momentum behind Food Secure Nation, this is the episode that brings it all together.

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On This Episode

This episode of Food Secure Nation pulls back the curtain on a hard truth: food insecurity has never been a problem of caring, or even a lack of good ideas. It has been a problem of connection.

After decades of experience across communities, systems, and even continents, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson confront a reality many in the field feel but rarely name. Progress is happening, but the system still feels stuck. Why? Because some of the best thinking is still happening in isolation. Great ideas emerge, inspire, and then disappear before they can be shared, tested, and scaled.

This conversation marks a turning point, because it does more than name the problem. It begins to name the path forward.

Through the lens of Know Better, Do Better, we introduce a more powerful way ahead, rooted in shared learning, practical application, and a unifying framework: the Six Dimensions of Food Security. From something as simple as winter squash to complex healthcare partnerships, they show how better thinking can sharpen decisions, strengthen systems, and unlock better outcomes, often without adding cost.

This is where the conversation moves beyond commentary. It becomes an invitation.
With a vision to connect leaders, ideas, and real-world pilots across the country, this episode lays the groundwork for a new kind of progress, one that turns insight into action and isolated effort into collective impact.

Because the future of food security will not be built by working harder in silos.

It will be built when we learn together, act together, and scale what works.

And as the guys remind us:
“The challenge was never knowledge… it was connection.”

Hope is a dangerous thing… if it never turns into strategy.

Gerry Brisson

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Everyone sees the front lines of hunger relief—but who’s aligning the system behind it?

In this episode, Joree Novotny and Mandy Pullaro share how state associations quietly connect policy, partnerships, and people to move entire networks forward. If food insecurity is a systems problem, this conversation reveals where real alignment—and real progress—actually begins.

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On This Episode

Most people think they understand how hunger gets addressed in America. They picture the pantry. The food bank. The volunteers packing boxes.

But this episode of Food Secure Nation reveals something bigger.

Featuring Joree Novotny and Mandy Pullaro, this conversation shines a light on the leaders working behind the scenes—the ones connecting entire systems so thousands of organizations can move as one.

And once you see it… you can’t unsee it.

Joree and Mandy don’t just talk about programs—they talk about people, purpose, and the moments that made this work personal. From childhood experiences to life-altering challenges, their stories remind us that food security isn’t theoretical—it’s deeply human.

But here’s where the conversation takes off:

They unpack the role of state associations—the connective tissue of the food security ecosystem:

  • The ones who bring partners to the table
  • The ones who turn conversation into coordinated action
  • The ones who can see the gaps no one else can see
  • And the ones who step in—fast—when it matters most

You’ll hear how:

  • A state can mobilize resources overnight during a crisis
  • Innovation at the local level can reshape national policy
  • And how leadership at scale isn’t about control—it’s about alignment

This episode makes one thing unmistakably clear:

Food security doesn’t happen because one organization works harder. It happens when an entire system works better—together.

If you’ve ever wondered why progress can feel slow…
or what it really takes to move the needle…

This conversation will change how you see the work.

And once you hear it, you’ll understand:

The future of food security isn’t just about feeding people—
it’s about connecting the system that makes it possible.

Good work is happening everywhere—but without alignment, it stays fragmented. The role of a state association is to help that work move together.

Joree Novotny

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This Week's Guests

Joree Novotny

Executive Director, Ohio Association of Food Banks

Joree Novotny leads the Ohio Association of Food Banks, where she works at the intersection of policy, partnership, and large-scale food distribution to strengthen food security across the state. A respected voice in the national hunger relief network, Joree is known for aligning diverse stakeholders—from food banks to government leaders—around practical solutions that improve access and outcomes for families. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to systems change, ensuring that resources move not just efficiently, but with purpose and impact.

Mandy Pullaro

Chief Executive Officer, Feeding Colorado

Mandy Pullaro serves as CEO of Feeding Colorado, where she brings together a statewide network of food banks to advance coordinated solutions to hunger. With a strong focus on collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, Mandy helps bridge the gap between local service and statewide strategy. She is recognized for elevating the role of state associations as critical connectors—turning shared insight into unified action that strengthens the entire food security system.

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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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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.
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Our Tech Approach

How KBDB Produces Trustworthy Insight

Know Better Do Better (KBDB) is a learning-and-doing community focused on ending food insecurity in the United States. We help changemakers make better decisions by researching, analyzing and presenting widely available information in appropriately curated and tailored formats.

Food insecurity is complex. Evidence can be messy, incomplete, or contested. People deserve work that is careful with facts and careful with human dignity. This page explains how KBDB approaches research and synthesis, how we use AI responsibly, and the standards we apply before we share anything publicly.

 

What we do (and what we do not)

What KBDB does

  1. Produces evidence-first, dignity-first materials that support learning, planning, and better conversations
  2. Helps partners and members orient quickly to what the evidence shows, where it is uncertain, and what trade-offs exist
  3. Builds shared understanding across sectors working on food insecurity
  4. Leverage technology to share information, innovation, and better practices across communities
  5. Makes relevant information widely available to the AI universe to keep it accurate, updated, and appropriate for the field

 

What KBDB does not do

  1. Is not a technology company and does not build proprietary models or platforms
  2. Does not replace human judgment with automation
  3. Does not publish or present AI-generated content without human review
  4. Does not exist to persuade people into a single ideology; exists to support better decisions

 

Our lens on food insecurity

Across every Critical Topic, KBDB uses a consistent set of dimensions to avoid narrow explanations and to surface real-world trade-offs:

  1. Availability: Is there enough food?
  2. Access: Can people obtain it (cost, distance, time, transportation)?
  3. Utilization: Can food be safely used and converted into health (nutrition, preparation, health conditions)?
  4. Stability: Are conditions consistent over time, or disrupted by shocks?
  5. Agency: Do people have choice and control in how they meet their needs?
  6. Sustainability: Can progress last without creating new harm?

This lens does not “pick winners.” It helps us ask better questions and present clearer, more complete insight.

 

What “evidence-first” means at KBDB

Evidence-first means we do more than collect sources. We apply a consistent discipline to how claims are handled and how uncertainty is communicated.

In practice, that means:

  1. We start with baseline facts from credible, method-transparent sources whenever possible
  2. We separate what is known from what is inferred and what is debated
  3. We name uncertainty, limitations, and missing data instead of smoothing them over
  4. We avoid single-source conclusions when evidence is mixed or populations are undercounted
  5. We use language that respects the dignity of people experiencing food insecurity

 

From question to insight

KBDB’s work follows a repeatable, human-led approach designed to reduce blind spots and increase usefulness.

  1. Start with a real decision or question. We clarify who needs the insight, what it will be used for, and what would make it genuinely helpful.
  2. Define terms and apply our lens. We establish definitions, relevant dimensions, and the equity risks that matter for interpretation.
  3. Anchor in baseline facts. We begin with trusted reference sources that publish primary data, peer-reviewed research, audited oversight, or method-transparent analysis.
  4. Triangulate across different types of evidence. We draw from multiple types of evidence (data, research, program experience, lived experience research, and operational realities) to reduce blind spots and avoid false certainty.
  5. Use technology to assist synthesis. AI can help organize large volumes of material, summarize, draft structured outlines, and flag gaps or inconsistencies for review. These outputs are drafts, not decisions.
  6. Apply human judgment and review. Human leads interpret the evidence, assess limitations, choose framing, and decide what is appropriate to publish. Accountability stays with people.
  7. Publish with quality checks and date-stamped updates. We date-stamp and update materials as evidence changes. When topics evolve quickly, we revisit sources and revise accordingly.
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How we use AI responsibly

KBDB uses AI as a behind-the-scenes support layer to improve consistency and efficiency. AI helps us move faster while reinforcing expectations for clarity, documentation, and discipline.

AI can help with:

  1. Organizing and clustering sources
  2. Summarizing and structuring drafts
  3. Highlighting gaps, contradictions, or missing context for humans to review

AI does not:

  1. Decide what KBDB believes, endorses, or publishes
  2. Replace subject matter expertise, community voices, or partner accountability
  3. Make judgments about people or communities
  4. Publish directly to members or the public

All outputs require human review before release.

 

Fairness, balance, and dignity safeguards

KBDB is politically agnostic and nonpartisan. Fairness does not mean every viewpoint is equally evidence-based. It means we apply a consistent evidence standard and clearly label what is fact, what is interpretation, and what is context.

Safeguards we use include:

  1. Single credibility bar across narratives and viewpoints
  2. Checking who is missing from the data so we do not overgeneralize from incomplete or biased datasets
  3. Lived experience inclusion when stigma, access barriers, or undercounting are likely
  4. Conflict awareness so vendor claims or advocacy claims are validated before being treated as fact
  5. Clear labeling of uncertainty, debate, and limitations
  6. Dignity-first framing to avoid stigmatizing language and deficit narratives
  7. Extra review when content is ethically sensitive or high-risk

 

How we choose and maintain sources

KBDB relies on a curated mix of:

  1. Publicly available data
  2. Peer-reviewed research
  3. Program and policy documentation
  4. Lived experience research and other method-transparent qualitative work

We prioritize sources that are widely trusted, transparent about methods, and clear about limitations. We review sources regularly and update our materials when underlying evidence changes.

 

What people receive from KBDB

KBDB produces materials designed to be used, not admired. Examples include:

  1. Critical Topic Overviews: Plain-language summaries of what the evidence says, what is uncertain, and where trade-offs exist.
  2. Curated Source Packs: Short annotated bibliographies that help people orient quickly and read further.
  3. Role-specific briefs: Implications for program leaders, funders, healthcare, policy, and community delivery.
  4. Conversation prompts: Questions and framing that support respectful, productive dialogue across roles and viewpoints.
  5. Optional viewpoint context companions: Clearly labeled narrative context to support understanding of the environment, not persuasion.

 

A note on transparency

This page is meant to explain how KBDB works in a way that is useful to the public. It is not an inventory of internal tools, prompts, or partner materials. Some operational details are shared directly with partners when relevant, but we do not publish confidential workflows or partner-provided information.

 

Why this approach matters

Ending food insecurity requires better decisions, not louder arguments. KBDB exists to help people see the system more clearly, engage evidence with humility, and act with care for the people most affected.

If you want to partner with KBDB or learn more about our Critical Topics, you can explore our work and connect with our team:

  1. Explore Critical Topics: Food Security Forum
  2. Partner with KBDB: admin@kbdbhub.com or Contact Us
  3. Join the KBDB community: Contact Us

 

Last updated: January 1, 2026.

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Additional Resources