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.Education: Educating decision makers and the community to promote the policy agenda.
• 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

Participants and Leaders
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, 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.

Current steering committee members include:
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Betty Blackmon
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Retired Assistant Professor of Social Work

Randall Burdge
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church, Community Garden Leader
After the Harvest, Board Member

Matthew Chrisman
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Assistant Professor of Public Health

AJ Farris
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Transportation Planner

Ami Freeberg
Cultivate KC, Metro Farms & Food Systems Coordinator

Kate Giessel, Secretary
Nonprofit Consultant, Attorney

Priest Hughes
Kansas City Community Gardens, Volunteer Garden Coordinator

Shanita McAfee Bryant
Executive Director, The Prospect Urban Eatery

Claudia Martin-Ayoade
Johnson County Community College, Registered Dietitian & Non-Credit Instructor

Eleni Pliakoni
K-State University – Olathe, Associate Professor of Urban Food Production & Postharvest Handling

Elizabeth Reynoso
El Centro, Director of Community Education & Outreach

Cary Rivard, Treasurer
K-State University – Olathe, Associate Professor of Horticulture & Natural Sciences
K-State Research & Extension Center – Olathe, Director & Extension Specialist

Danielle Robins-Gregory, Ex Officio
KC Healthy Kids, President

Mike Rollen
Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm, Owner & Farmer

Tom Ruggieri
Fair Share Farm, Co-Owner & Farmer

Stu Shafer
Johnson County Community College, Professor of Sociology & Sustainable Agriculture
Kansas Rural Center, Board Member

Karen Siebert, Chairperson
Harvesters, Advocacy & Public Policy Adviser

Tovah Tanner
Royale Cohesive Network, Program Director

Je T’aime Taylor
Front Porch Alliance, Executive Director

Patrick Trouba
Mid-America Regional Council, Transportation Planner

Leigh Wagner, Vice Chairperson
Integrative and Functional Medicine Dietitian

Tina Wurth
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, Regional Educator