ALC - foodrescue

What began as a small initiative to streamline the redistribution of fresh food, and create a more just, accessible, and sustainable food system, has quickly become a transformative program—reaching far more people and communities than originally imagined—with thanks to the generosity of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. 

Meet the leader who sparked a growing food recovery movement in Iowa

By Mari Jackson, Food Rescue US – Fairfield County Volunteer

In an exciting partnership with the Miami-Dade public school system, Food Rescue US – South Florida is bringing a simple yet impactful initiative to four elementary schools. The Share Table initiative is our latest effort to tackle food waste and hunger, focusing on where it matters most: our schools. The main objective is to educate students about food waste, food insecurity, and the impact of food waste on the environment.

Each month, we cull through all of the “food as medicine” news to highlight the most recent and exciting developments in the field for Digestible Bites. Periodically, we highlight standout local organizations and/or people who promote food as medicine in our community.

When Melissa Spiesman first joined Food Rescue US, we operated just one location. Today, as Melissa retires from her decade-plus tenure as our Chief Operating Officer, Food Rescue US operates in 38 sites all across the US! Her vision, leadership, and passion helped Food Rescue US grow from a local nonprofit to a national leader in food rescue

The shorter version:

• “You are What You Eat” four episode series tracks four sets of twins on two strict diets (one vegan and one “healthy” omnivore) with outlined exercise regimes. The finale reveals the twins’ before and after biometrics! Spoiler: food is medicine! 
• The World Economic Forum believes, “Right now, food as medicine is having a moment. But for that moment to turn into a global movement, we need to do more to make sure everyone, everywhere, has access to nutritious food and the tools to support their health through nutrition.” They have four recommendations (below).
• MIT released a study showing only a very modest impact of food as medicine to treat diabetes. Drat. 

The longer version:

• Netflix is food as medicine crazy! In addition to Dan Buettner’s Blue Zone series we mentioned in our last newsletter, now there’s an equally intriguing “You are What You Eat” four episode series that tracks four sets of twins on two strict diet and exercise regimes and reveals their before and after biometrics! Spoiler: food is medicine! The series is based on this Stanford study if you want to learn more.
• The World Economic Forum believes, “Right now, food as medicine is having a moment. But for that moment to turn into a global movement, we need to do more to make sure everyone, everywhere, has access to nutritious food and the tools to support their health through nutrition. That’s how we’ll make food the medicine of the future – and help more people worldwide lead healthier lives.” They have four recommendations:
  • Data: To be truly accessible, food as medicine needs to be covered by public and private insurance or government programmes. And the only way that will happen is if we have conclusive evidence that these programmes both improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
  • Tools: While technology allows doctors to prescribe a diet – and patients to fill that prescription with nutritious food – we need to make the process even easier. And the private sector should lead the way.
  • Access: Too often, people and communities who would benefit significantly from nutritious food either don’t have access to it or can’t afford it.
  • Collaboration: We need even more cross-sector collaboration.
• MIT just released a study suggesting we need to keep examining how nutrition can combat a pervasive disease. “A new health care program attempting to treat diabetes by means of improved nutrition shows a very modest impact, according to the first fully randomized clinical trial on the subject.” 

Thanks,

The shorter version

• Check out the excellent Netflix docu-series, “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” where NatGeo reporter Dan Buettner, travels around the world to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives. Spoiler: FOOD IS MEDICINE!
• New presidential advisory puts food at the heart of U.S. health policy.
• Mexican consumers are beginning to see warning labels on packages of food and drink warning excessive in sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans-fats and/or calories in products.
• Local Bites: We talk to Danbury Farmers’ Market Community Collaborative’s Peggy Zamore. Peggy explains how she became the collaborative’s Director/Nutritionist, how they walk the walk not just talk the talk, gives advice on what to do when summer farmers’ markets close for the season, and more!  

The longer version

Secrets of Blue Zones

In the excellent Netflix docu-series, “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” host, author, and NatGeo reporter Dan Buettner, travels around the world to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives. Spoiler: FOOD IS MEDICINE!