Episode 228: Feeding Kids with Dignity: Michelle Moskowitz Brown on Childhood Hunger in Ohio
About the Podcast
In this episode of the Food Dignity Podcast, Clancy sits down with Michelle Moskowitz Brown, President and CEO of Children’s Hunger Alliance. Michelle shares her journey from growing up in a food-insecure household to leading statewide efforts that make sure kids across Ohio have access to healthy meals. She discusses why collaboration is important, the ongoing challenges of funding, and how food programs can impact not only nutrition but also education, equity, and community strength.
About Michelle M. Brown
Michelle Moskowitz Brown is the President and CEO of Children’s Hunger Alliance, serving 76 counties across Ohio to improve childhood food security and nutrition. From 2014 to 2023, she led Local Matters in Columbus, where she expanded access to healthy food, co-created the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Action Plan, and developed a community kitchen. She has also chaired the Ohio Food Policy Network, helping build statewide coalitions to create stronger and more just food systems.
Discussion Takeaways
- Food programs must meet kids where they are, whether in schools, after-school programs, childcare centers, or summer meal sites. Collaboration across government, nonprofits, and community partners is essential to reach families consistently, but sustainable solutions require both public funding and private investment to make an impact that lasts.
- Children’s Hunger Alliance is different from a food bank because they are solely focused on children and deliver meals to the location where the child is.
- In-home childcare providers are often undervalued, despite the crucial role they play in offering both early education and daily meals. Strengthening support for these providers is part of building a healthier, more resilient food system for kids.
- No single organization or government agency can solve hunger alone. It is important to have partnerships between state and local governments, schools, nonprofits, and community leaders. But collaboration is not enough if the system itself is not sustainable. Public funding is crucial for long-term stability.
- There is a need to create a narrative around how food access can help, and if you have improved access to food, it will improve the outcomes of nonprofits.
- Food dignity is having food wherever we are. People are eating together and sharing meals.
#1 tip to improve access to healthy food
Supporting your partners doesn’t have to be complicated—small actions, like providing food or resources, can help them grow their business and instill healthy habits from an early age.
Each week on the Food Dignity® Podcast, the Food Dignity® Movement's Clancy Harrison hosts a wide variety of hunger experts and other people making changes on the frontlines. Join us as we dive deep into conversations that will change the way you think about food insecurity.
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