About the Greater KC Food Policy Coalition

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

• 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.

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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:

• ​Andrea Clark, Interim Director of Greater KC Food Policy Coalition

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

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.

Erin Martinez
CEO, Food Equality Initiative

Je T’aime Taylor, Vice Chairperson
Executive Director, Front Porch Alliance

Kate Giessel, Former Chairperson
Attorney
Board Member, Kansas Rural Center

​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

Taylor Cunningham
Transportation Planner III, Mid-America Regional Council
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Tom Ruggieri
Co-Owner & Farmer, Fair Share Farm

Tovah Tanner
Co-Founder, Royale Cohesive Network
​Manager, Community Farmers Market

Veronica Vidal
Agroecology Graduate Student