Mission
To advocate for the greater Kansas City food system and promote food policies which positively impact the nutritional, economic, social and environmental health of the community.
Vision
All people in greater Kansas City will have access to healthy affordable food that nourishes individuals, communities, the local economy and the environment
Core Values
Goals
The steering committee establishes strategic goals for the coalition. These currently include:
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:
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:
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
Karen Clawson
Mid-America Regional Council, Principal Planner
Crystal Futrell
K-State Research & Extension – Johnson County, Health & Food Safety Extension Agent
Mark Gawron
Cultivate KC, Metro Farms & Food Systems Coordinator
Kate Giessel, Secretary
Attorney, Nonprofit Consultant and Consumer
Priest Hughes
Kansas City Community Gardens, Volunteer Garden Coordinator
Jerry Jones
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Director of Community Health
Emily Lecuyer, Past Chairperson
Equity Squared, Managing Director
Claudia Martin-Ayoade
Johnson County Community College, Registered Dietitian & Non-Credit Instructor
Bridget Moss
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Digital Content Editor
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
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
Leigh Wagner, Vice Chairperson
KU Integrative Medicine & KU Medical Center, Registered Dietitian & Adjunct Faculty
Tina Wurth
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, Regional Educator
Jane Zieha
Blue Bird Bistro, Owner
To advocate for the greater Kansas City food system and promote food policies which positively impact the nutritional, economic, social and environmental health of the community.
Vision
All people in greater Kansas City will have access to healthy affordable food that nourishes individuals, communities, the local economy and the environment
Core Values
- Cooperation: Building cooperation and unity among all components of the food system is beneficial.
- Food Security: All people have the right and should have the ability to easily obtain healthy, safe and affordable food.
- Local and Sustainable Solutions: Our community should support a local and regional food system that is economically and ecologically sound.
- Health: Our food system should promote optimal health for all.
- Education: Knowledge empowers individuals and communities.
Goals
The steering committee establishes strategic goals for the coalition. These currently include:
- Policy Change: Advocating for strategic policy solutions that create an equitable and sustainable food system, strengthen integration of all food system components and improve the health of greater Kansas City.
- Education: Educating decision makers and the community to promote the policy agenda.
- Capacity and Infrastructure: Ensuring coalition has the infrastructure and resources to achieve its strategic goals and policy agenda.
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:
- Beth Low-Smith, Vice President of Policy and Coalition Director
- Andrea Clark, Policy & Planning Manager
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:
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
Karen Clawson
Mid-America Regional Council, Principal Planner
Crystal Futrell
K-State Research & Extension – Johnson County, Health & Food Safety Extension Agent
Mark Gawron
Cultivate KC, Metro Farms & Food Systems Coordinator
Kate Giessel, Secretary
Attorney, Nonprofit Consultant and Consumer
Priest Hughes
Kansas City Community Gardens, Volunteer Garden Coordinator
Jerry Jones
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Director of Community Health
Emily Lecuyer, Past Chairperson
Equity Squared, Managing Director
Claudia Martin-Ayoade
Johnson County Community College, Registered Dietitian & Non-Credit Instructor
Bridget Moss
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Digital Content Editor
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
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
Leigh Wagner, Vice Chairperson
KU Integrative Medicine & KU Medical Center, Registered Dietitian & Adjunct Faculty
Tina Wurth
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, Regional Educator
Jane Zieha
Blue Bird Bistro, Owner
