True Nourishment: Innovative Solutions to Solve Hunger and Serve Entire Communities
July 13, 2013
Hosted by Marianna Cacciatore
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Guest Information
Episode Description
50 million Americans go hungry every day, and yet there is enough food for everyone in this abundant nation. You may think this is too large a problem for one person to handle. Not so say Nick Papadopoulos of CropMobster and Suzi Grady of Petaluma Bounty Hunters. One part of the solution lies in redistribution of our food wealth and they are finding ways for everyday people to creatively solve the problem. CropMobster has created an online platform and hub in which local farms, ranches or other food sellers can announce offers of discounted, donated or free food at risk of going to waste. Within hours, individuals, small businesses and hunger-relief organizations can “crowd source” to take advantage of the offers and enjoy healthy food all the while supporting local farms and food sellers. They began in Sonoma County, CA in March 2013 and have spread very quickly to 7 Bay Area Counties. Petaluma Bounty Hunters also harvests, collects and redistributes over 70,000 pounds of produce and food each year that would otherwise go to waste. The Bounty Farm also provides hands-on training in sustainable agriculture practices to over 500 students, volunteers, interns, and at-risk youth each year. The food grown goes to support P.L.A.Y. (Petaluma Loves Active Youth), a health intervention collaboration with Petaluma Health Center to prevent obesity and diet related diseases. Petaluma Bounty has also supported the construction of 9 community gardens in Petaluma, CA. Petaluma Bounty Hunters is the recipient of a grant from Bread for the Journey of Sonoma County.
Bread for the Journey Radio
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Today’s news is filled with stories that break our hearts. On Bread for the Journey Radio, you’ll hear stories that help mend it back together. Join Marianna Cacciatore as she interviews ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things, often small and always meaningful, to make our world a better place. Some, like Marianna, have suffered a tragedy, and, as a result, have created something beautiful to bring others healing. Others are helping women in crisis, making life better for children living in poverty, greening their neighborhood, or any number of creative things that make their community more beautiful, healthy, and connected. These women, men and young people inspire us to think about our own lives, and what we can do to make a difference in the world. Their stories become Bread for our Journey, inspiration and nourishment for a life well lived.
Marianna Cacciatore
Most would agree Marianna Cacciatore’s life has been one well-lived. Through her work over 25 years with people who are working to bring about a better world, she has a unique vantage point from which to tell the stories we don’t generally hear in the media today. Marianna possesses the rare gift of presence, a deep listening which evokes in people the desire to tell their story.
Having suffered a childhood tragedy that spiraled downward into her teens and young adult years, she eventually turned things around and created a grief center that has brought healing to thousands of people. She recounts the full story in her book, Being There for Someone in Grief. Today, she serves as a Lifetime Emeritus Board Member of Tu Nidito in Tucson, Arizona, the parent agency for the organization she founded in 1988 called Children to Children, a Center for Children and Families in Grief.
Everyday Marianna meets ordinary people doing extraordinary things through her work as Executive Director of Bread for the Journey, a philanthropic organization with 20 locations nationally. Each volunteer-run chapter practices neighborhood philanthropy in their respective communities, helping everyday people bring their community-minded ideas to life. The Bread for the Journey vision is to nurture the seed of generosity in every human heart and Marianna’s life is a living expression of just that. Join her as she ignites the heart of generosity in you.
