Hunger Task Force Shares Heart Healthy Meal with WISN 12

Mar 28, 2024

WISN 12 is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a promise of more service to the community. We’re expanding our commitment to the Hunger Task Force with a focus on what the community needs most. This month, we’re showcasing healthy meals from items picked up at a food pantry.

The ingredients needed for a healthy, homemade dinner were picked up at the food pantry inside Vivent Health in Milwaukee. Inside the Hunger Task Force’s McCarty Education Kitchen is where the magic happens. “Some of us grew up in households that were cooking a lot. Some of us didn’t. And so cooking for a lot of people has become a bit of a lost art,” said Matt King, the associate director of Hunger Task Force.

Milwaukee Public School teachers use this space to teach students about nutrition. “We’re trying to work with local kids in particular to give them some of those skills early, get them exposed to different recipes, trying new foods, trying healthy foods,” King said.

When stocking its 44 food pantries, Hunger Task Force uses what’s called the MyPlate model, it’s similar to the food pyramid, as a guide for helping people make good choices. “To make sure that the foods that we’re providing are healthy,” King said. “We are committed to using the kitchen as a way to teach people how to use those ingredients.”

Nutrition educator Melanie Foland walked WISN 12 News’ Diana Gutierrez through the heart-healthy shrimp pasta dinner. Watch here.

The food pantry inside Vivent Health is on 6th Street and McKinley in Milwaukee. Clients of Vivent Health and people who are living with HIV/AIDS have access.

Here is a list of the other pantries supported by the Hunger Task Force Force. Find the location closest to you by using the interactive map.

Source: https://www.wisn.com/article/hunger-task-force-heart-healthy-meals/46936588

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.