Today is "Hear the Crunch" Day in Maryland , also known as Maryland Day. The event is organized by Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS)- Marylanders are asked to take a photo of themselves taking a bite into an apple to raise awareness about hunger in Maryland, especially School Breakfast Programs for children.I participated in the event in 2014, but I wanted more information about the organization's leadership and the event goals. Maryland Hunger Solutions' Executive Director, Michael J. Wilson, graciously granted me an interview.
Q: How did you get involved with Maryland Hunger Solutions? I spent nearly a decade on the Board of the national organization, the Food Research Action Center (FRAC) back when I was at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). When there was an opening to lead Maryland Hunger Solutions, I spoke to the President of FRAC, and one thing led to another. Eventually I resigned from the Board and accepted the position as Director.
Q:What's the goal of Hear the Crunch?
Our view is that everyone in the state of Maryland should start the day with a nutritious breakfast. This is especially true of school aged students, but not exclusively. This is also tied to our policy agenda of expanding school breakfast programs, enacting state legislation to expand the use of federal dollars for school meals, and to focus attention on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization which the Congress will consider this year. We will be successful not just by the more than 800,000 folks who will participate on March 25th – but by how many folks are having breakfast on March 31st when there is no spotlight.
Q: What's the state of hunger in Maryland? Any data by county, gender, or age group that you can share?
One of the things that we are most proud of is our capacity to be the state’s leading resources for hunger data. On our website is data for every county in the state, and shows the county and state participation rates for the Food Supplement Program (FSP ) which is how the food stamp program is known in the state of Maryland. It also has data on school lunch programs, school breakfast programs, summer meal programs, after –school meals and the Women’s Infants and Children program (WIC).
It is not broken down by gender or age, but we have some demographic data. We know that according to the most recently published information, that there are 72,519 FSP recipients in Montgomery County and 788,913 in the state of Maryland. We also know that one in eight households faces a struggle with hunger, that 21 percent of households with children struggle to obtain enough food to provide regular healthy meals for their family, and that nearly 10 percent of Marylanders live below the poverty line.Q: Does Maryland Hunger Solutions partner with other organizations?
Our mission is to eliminate hunger in the state of Maryland, but we know that we can’t do that alone. We partner with dozens of government agencies, non-profit groups, and private entities to address hunger in the state. That includes dozens of groups like Manna Food Center in Montgomery County, AARP, the Maryland Alliance for the Poor, Catholic Charities of Baltimore, and the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council.Q: What should the public know about Maryland Hunger Solutions?
That our work to end hunger in our state begins with utilizing the existing federal nutrition programs. Making sure that everyone who is eligible for FSP is getting benefits will not only help battle hunger, it will help the health and economy of our state.
Q: How can people get more involved with Maryland Hunger Solutions?
We utilize volunteers and interns to help maximize our work and can always utilize more. In addition, as a non-profit, we are always fundraising to help on our mission.
Many thanks to Michael for the interview.
This year, L'Academie de Cuisine Professional School's Chef Brian Patterson, Sous Chef Angie Rosado and the Winter 2015 Culinary Techniques 101 class joined in on the "Hear the Crunch" effort with Technicolor dining. Can you hear you hear our crunch?
Why do I participate? Why do I care? I care because I have been unemployed, looking for work and have gone to bed hungry. Access to food is a human right. No child should be hungry.If you live in Maryland I hope you will consider participating in the "Hear the Crunch" event. If you live outside of Maryland, consider taking a bite of your favorite variety of apple anyway.
Be well,
Technicolor girl
