Episode 64: The Importance of Normalizing Food Assistance
About the Podcast
In this “Candid Clancy” episode, we learn how to normalize food access, so people feel comfortable getting help during stressful times.
About Clancy Harrison
As a registered dietitian, TEDx speaker, international speaker, and author, Clancy Harrison challenges the way food insecurity is approached in the US. Her mission to demolish the stigma around healthy food access places her on the cutting edge of advocacy.
Clancy is the founder of the Food Dignity® Project, a strategic program for leaders who want to shift how they approach nutrition outreach by making healthy food access a priority. She transforms the lives of thousands of people through her work with corporations, non-profit organizations, and universities.
Currently, Clancy is an advisory board member for the Pennsylvania American Academy of Pediatrics Food Insecurity EPIC program, Ambassador of the National Dairy Council, and the President of the Al Beech West Side Food Pantry. Since the onset of COVID-19 Clancy has distributed nearly 1 million meals in her community to improve access to healthy food through effective collaborations.
Discussion Takeaways
- Clancy has a trick to make people feel comfortable in a time of need. She does it to make them feel comfortable at the food pantry. Basically, she encourages everyone to take food home, regardless of their income.
- Anyone experiencing stress around not having enough food or that they might run out of food by the end of the month, that’s food insecurity. Not being able to afford nutrient-rich food is another form of that.
- By encouraging everyone to take food, Clancy is working to reduce food waste, share locally-grown items with her community, make sure the milk doesn’t go bad, and reduce the stigma the behind getting help! The food pantry should be a safe place for anyone to come to.
- This message came full-circle when Clancy’s student took it upon himself to share the message to his peers. Clancy might have shed some tears when that happened.
#1 tip to improve access to healthy food
Clancy really strives to make people feel comfortable in their time of need.
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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