Mission
Convene diverse stakeholders to advocate for an equitable, sustainable and resilient food system in greater Kansas City and promote policies for the nutritional, economic, social and environmental health of the community.
Vision
All people in greater Kansas City will have access to healthy food that is fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and produced and sold locally, with care for the environment, food system workers and the community.
Core Values
Goals
The steering committee establishes strategic goals for the coalition. These currently include:
View the Policy Agenda
Coalition Leadership
The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition is a community-based initiative which functions as a program within KC Healthy Kids. The coalition is an alliance of individuals, government representatives, businesses, and organizations representing all critical components of our local food system, including healthcare, agriculture, education, social services, food distribution, government, private business, nonprofit agencies, and others.
The coalition is staffed by KC Healthy Kids:
The steering committee is an advisory team composed of leaders and stakeholders in a broad range of issues relating to the food system, including those whose expertise is rooted in lived-experience. The steering committee shares their expertise, skills and time to further advance the goals of the coalition. Their contributions are invaluable in the coalition’s success.
Ami Freeberg
Assistant Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Cultivate KC
Amy Droegemeier, Treasurer
Director of Nutrition Services, USD 231 Gardner Edgerton
Cary Rivard
Associate Professor of Horticulture & Natural Sciences, K-State University – Olathe
Director & Extension Specialist, K-State Research & Extension Center – Olathe
Claudia Martin-Ayoade
Operations Manager, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Danielle Robins-Gregory, Ex Officio
President, KC Healthy Kids
Eleni Pliakoni
Associate Professor of Urban Food Production & Postharvest Handling, K-State University – Olathe
Elizabeth Reynoso
Director of Community Education & Outreach, El Centro, Inc.
Je T’aime Taylor, Vice Chairperson
Executive Director, Front Porch Alliance
Karen Siebert
Advocacy & Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters-The Community Food Network
Kate Giessel, Former Chairperson
Attorney
Board Member, Kansas Rural Center
Leigh Wagner
Integrative and Functional Medicine Dietitian
Board Member, Food Equality Initiative
Matthew Chrisman
Assistant Professor of Health Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Mike Rollen, Chairperson
Owner, Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm
Mira Felzien
Planner, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Natalia Unruh
Water Quality Planner II, Mid-America Regional Council
Natasha Bailey, Secretary
Head Chef, Thelma's Kitchen
Priest Hughes
Volunteer Garden Coordinator, Kansas City Community Gardens
Shanita McAfee Bryant
Executive Director, The Prospect KC
Stu Shafer
Farmer, Sandheron Farm
Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Johnson County Community College
Taylor Cunningham
Transportation Planner III, Mid-America Regional Council
Tom Ruggieri
Co-Owner & Farmer, Fair Share Farm
Tovah Tanner
Co-Founder, Royale Cohesive Network
Manager, Ivanhoe Farmers Market
Veronica Vidal
AmeriCorps VISTA, Kansas City Healthy Lifestyles Collaborative
Convene diverse stakeholders to advocate for an equitable, sustainable and resilient food system in greater Kansas City and promote policies for the nutritional, economic, social and environmental health of the community.
Vision
All people in greater Kansas City will have access to healthy food that is fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and produced and sold locally, with care for the environment, food system workers and the community.
Core Values
- Cooperation: Fostering cooperation and unity among all the diverse stakeholders is beneficial to the food system.
- Food Security: All people have the right and should have the ability to easily obtain healthy, safe and affordable food.
- Sustainability: The local and regional food system must be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
- Health: Our food system should promote optimal health for all.
- Education: Knowledge is essential for individuals’ and communities’ ability to advocate and make policy decisions.
- Food Justice: It is necessary to work with impacted stakeholders to address and remove structural barriers at the root of food system inequities.
Goals
The steering committee establishes strategic goals for the coalition. These currently include:
- Policy Change: The coalition develops and advocates for a community-driven policy agenda that promotes nutritional, economic, social and environmental health equity.
- Equity: The coalition builds an equitable food system by challenging structural and historic systems of oppression and resulting disparities, within the coalition and the broader community.
- Education: The coalition educates decision makers and the community to advance the policy agenda in support of an equitable food system.
- Capacity and Infrastructure: The coalition has the infrastructure and resources to achieve its strategic goals and policy agenda.
View the Policy Agenda
Coalition Leadership
The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition is a community-based initiative which functions as a program within KC Healthy Kids. The coalition is an alliance of individuals, government representatives, businesses, and organizations representing all critical components of our local food system, including healthcare, agriculture, education, social services, food distribution, government, private business, nonprofit agencies, and others.
The coalition is staffed by KC Healthy Kids:
- Rachael McGinnis Millsap, Vice President of Programs and Policy and Interim Coalition Director
- Andrea Clark, Director of Food System Planning
The steering committee is an advisory team composed of leaders and stakeholders in a broad range of issues relating to the food system, including those whose expertise is rooted in lived-experience. The steering committee shares their expertise, skills and time to further advance the goals of the coalition. Their contributions are invaluable in the coalition’s success.
Ami Freeberg
Assistant Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Cultivate KC
Amy Droegemeier, Treasurer
Director of Nutrition Services, USD 231 Gardner Edgerton
Cary Rivard
Associate Professor of Horticulture & Natural Sciences, K-State University – Olathe
Director & Extension Specialist, K-State Research & Extension Center – Olathe
Claudia Martin-Ayoade
Operations Manager, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Danielle Robins-Gregory, Ex Officio
President, KC Healthy Kids
Eleni Pliakoni
Associate Professor of Urban Food Production & Postharvest Handling, K-State University – Olathe
Elizabeth Reynoso
Director of Community Education & Outreach, El Centro, Inc.
Je T’aime Taylor, Vice Chairperson
Executive Director, Front Porch Alliance
Karen Siebert
Advocacy & Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters-The Community Food Network
Kate Giessel, Former Chairperson
Attorney
Board Member, Kansas Rural Center
Leigh Wagner
Integrative and Functional Medicine Dietitian
Board Member, Food Equality Initiative
Matthew Chrisman
Assistant Professor of Health Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Mike Rollen, Chairperson
Owner, Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm
Mira Felzien
Planner, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Natalia Unruh
Water Quality Planner II, Mid-America Regional Council
Natasha Bailey, Secretary
Head Chef, Thelma's Kitchen
Priest Hughes
Volunteer Garden Coordinator, Kansas City Community Gardens
Shanita McAfee Bryant
Executive Director, The Prospect KC
Stu Shafer
Farmer, Sandheron Farm
Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Johnson County Community College
Taylor Cunningham
Transportation Planner III, Mid-America Regional Council
Tom Ruggieri
Co-Owner & Farmer, Fair Share Farm
Tovah Tanner
Co-Founder, Royale Cohesive Network
Manager, Ivanhoe Farmers Market
Veronica Vidal
AmeriCorps VISTA, Kansas City Healthy Lifestyles Collaborative