Over 90 percent of American children aren’t getting the nutrition they need, and it’s not because parents don’t care. It’s because the system is built to fail them. From school lunches packed with ultra-processed foods to neighborhoods where a gas station is the only place to buy groceries, the odds are stacked against families trying to raise healthy kids.
On Episode 143 of the Plant-Based Eating for Health podcast, host Kathleen Gage sits down with Meryl Fury, RN, MS, public health nurse, nonprofit leader, and lifelong food justice advocate, to explore what’s really behind the childhood health crisis in America and what we can do about it.
From Public Health to Plant-Based Advocacy
Meryl Fury is the President and CEO of Plant-Based Nutrition Movement (PBNM), a nonprofit focused on helping people transition along the plant-based spectrum in a way that meets them where they are. Whether
it’s adding a single vegetable to dinner or going fully whole food, plant-based, her team supports progress over perfection.
“I’ve seen firsthand what happens when people are surrounded by unhealthy food options,” she shares. “It’s not just about choice. It’s about access, culture, and systems that profit from illness.”
When the Health Crisis Starts in Childhood
The data is sobering. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, once considered adult conditions, are now appearing in children at alarming rates. Meryl explains how she’s watched this pattern unfold generation by generation, especially in immigrant families. “The first generation often sticks to traditional diets, rich in beans, rice, and vegetables. But their children quickly adopt the standard American diet, and by the time they’re teens, they’re dealing with health problems.”
This shift, Meryl notes, began accelerating in the 1970s with the explosion of ultra-processed foods, think sugary cereals, convenience dinners, and artificial snacks. “It’s been a slow decline, but a predictable one,” she says.
Michelle Obama Tried. Why Was She Shut Down?
Kathleen and Meryl revisit a pivotal moment in the conversation about kids’ health: Michelle Obama’s push for healthier school lunches. “She ran up against Big Ag and Big Food,” Meryl explains. “These industries are invested in keeping food cheap, addictive, and profitable, even if it means more sick kids.”
Despite the First Lady’s efforts, the political resistance was fierce. “Our children’s health became a political issue when it should have been a human issue,” Meryl says. “There was a moment where we could have made real progress, but industry and politics got in the way.”
The SNAP Dilemma and the Bigger Problem
While there’s a growing conversation around restricting what can be purchased with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, Meryl believes that’s only part of the solution. “We live in a toxic food culture. Asking people to resist a billion-dollar marketing machine while shopping in food deserts is unfair and unrealistic.”
Her solution? Reframe what we legally allow to be called “food.” She points to Europe, where food safety regulations ban many of the additives commonly found in U.S. processed products. “We could start there, ban the worst chemicals, limit artificial ingredients, and remove the most addictive, disease-promoting items from the shelves.”
Grassroots Action: What You Can Do Now
Despite the challenges, Meryl is optimistic. She offers these actionable steps:
- Model healthy eating by including more vegetables at meals and avoiding processed snacks.
- Teach kids to read labels and recognize harmful ingredients.
- Bring healthy snacks to school events and talk to teachers about alternatives to candy as rewards.
- Start or support a community garden and bring children along to help.
- Engage with your local school board or PTA to advocate for better food policies.
“You don’t need to do everything at once,” she says. “Start small, and let your ripple make waves.”
Redefining Real Food
Meryl emphasizes that healing the food system will take a multi-pronged approach: reforming SNAP, regulating food marketing, redefining food safety, and promoting health education. “Food is either medicine or poison,” she says. “We need to stop feeding our children chemicals their bodies don’t recognize and expect them to thrive.”
She also reminds listeners that change starts with awareness. “You can’t opt out of a system you don’t realize you’re in. Once people understand what’s really in their food and what it’s doing to their families, they start asking better questions.”
Be a Warrior
In her closing message, Meryl delivers a simple but powerful call to action: “Be a warrior for your children’s health. Every meal is a vote for their future, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Don’t underestimate your influence. Every small choice adds up.”
Kathleen adds, “As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says: ‘Every action is a vote for the type of person you want to become.’ That applies to the world we want to build too.”
To learn more about Meryl Fury’s work or connect with her organization, visit pbnm.org or email her at MerylFury@pbnm.org.
Listen to the full episode of the Plant-Based Eating for Health podcast at VeganVisibility.com/143-Meryl-Fury, where you’ll also find Kathleen Gage’s blog, additional podcast episodes, and insights into how to live, and thrive, on a compassionate, plant-based path.
About Meryl Fury
For decades, as a dedicated nurse focused on human health, Meryl Fury discovered the deep healing power of food as medicine, embracing a path of whole food plant-based (WFPB) eating and education.
Fueled by a personal journey that began at age 15, along with extensive education in nursing, plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center, and culinary training from Rouxbe and Forks Over Knives, Meryl is passionate about transforming our approach to child nutrition.
Now as Pres, CEO and visionary leader of Plant Based Nutrition Movement, an IL 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Meryl’s expertise and commitment drive PBNM’s More Plants on Plates initiative, aiming to empower the next generation with the knowledge and benefits of plant-based eating for a healthier future and making possible plant-based food options in schools nationwide.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.