Episode 60: Hunger Solutions for Maryland and Beyond
About the Podcast
Michael J. Wilson acts as the Maryland Hunger Solutions Director. As such, he has led Maryland’s premier hunger advocacy, education, and outreach organization as it works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income families across his state. You won’t want to miss his words of wisdom or his food puns!
About Michael J. Wilson
For more than three decades, Michael has been a leading advocate for economic justice. He leads Maryland Hunger Solutions, the statewide non-partisan, non-profit that works to end hunger and promote nutrition. Under Michael’s leadership, the organization has worked to pass nearly a dozen bills addressing food insecurity for seniors, school students, formerly incarcerated and other Marylanders experiencing poverty. The organization also provides SNAP application assistance, helping eligible participants in every part of the state. In his career, Michael has worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative and press assistant, as a political appointee at the U.S. Department of Labor as Chief of Staff in the Employment Standards Administration, and as International Vice President and Director of the Legislative and Political Department of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Michael also served as a Board Member of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) for more than a decade before he was appointed Director of Maryland Hunger Solutions in 2013. A noted anti-hunger leader in the state of Maryland, he Chairs the Board of the Montgomery County Food Council, belongs to the Food and Agriculture Regional Member (FARM) Ad Hoc Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and has served with food councils in Prince George’s County, Howard County and Baltimore City. He also serves on the management team of the national Food Research and Action Center. Michael has a B.A. in Communications from Michigan State University and resides and votes in Baltimore.
Discussion Takeaways
- Maryland Hunger Solutions works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, well-being and the economic circumstance of individuals, children and families in Maryland. They work to overcome the barriers and create self-sustaining connections between Maryland residents and nutritious foods. Maryland Hunger Solutions works with state and community partners to provide education about the stark reality of hunger’s existence in Maryland and the proven solutions to reduce food insecurity; improve public policies to end food insecurity and poverty; and ensure that all eligible residents are connected to federal and state nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known as the Food Supplement Program in Maryland) and school meals programs.
- Filling out Federal Nutrition Assistance applications are similar to taxes. The process can be a headache for some. That’s why Maryland Hunger Solutions provide help at no cost.
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Maryland Hunger Solutions works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, well-being and the economic circumstance of individuals, children and families in Maryland. They work to overcome the barriers and create self-sustaining connections between Maryland residents and nutritious foods. Maryland Hunger Solutions works with state and community partners to provide education about the stark reality of hunger’s existence in Maryland and the proven solutions to reduce food insecurity; improve public policies to end food insecurity and poverty; and ensure that all eligible residents are connected to federal and state nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known as the Food Supplement Program in Maryland) and school meals programs.
- Filling out Federal Nutrition Assistance applications are similar to taxes. The process can be a headache for some. That’s why Maryland Hunger Solutions provide help at no cost.
- When signing up for food assistance, the biggest barrier most applicants face is that they expect people to judge them for applying for assistance. It’s so hard for so many to admit they need help.
- Healthcare providers are in the position to understand their patients’ economic situation and nutrition. They know if someone is on Medicaid, is low-income, or on other supplemental assistance. Health professionals often just don’t know how to get people the help they need. That’s why Maryland Hunger Solutions provides:
- Hospital staff training, so nurses, social workers, or those working in administration can help with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications.
- Their contact information, so doctors and their staff can refer patients to SNAP application assistance.
- Advocacy connections, so hospital systems can help strengthen federal nutrition programs.
- Hearing from your medical professional that you need nutrition support is one of the impactful places to receive this recommendation.
- The Metropolitan Council of Governments’ Food and Agriculture Regional Member AD-HOC Committee (FARM) works with Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia to create federal anti-hunger policies that strengthen all Americans. They also share best practices happening in each jurisdiction.
- Everyone can share their stories and speak truth to power, so that people have access to food in a real way.
- We need to figure out how to resolve hunger, not just within the charitable vein but also ask what our towns, our cities, corporations, etc. can do.
#1 tip to improve access to healthy food
If you want to make an impact on hunger, talk to your elected officials. Keep the Goldilocks Principle in mind, stick to the moderate tone and discussion. Speak honestly, and let them know what’s important to you. Never lie. Never beg. Never threaten. Tell your story.
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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