Regional Food System Planning
KC Healthy Kids, along with partnering organizations Cultivate KC, Mid-America Regional Council and New Growth, received funding from the USDA Regional Food System Partnerships program to connect and strengthen our regional foodshed.
A foodshed is the geographic area in which food flows from producers to consumers. For this project, the regional foodshed is identified as the area within a 100-mile radius of Kansas City. Eight priority counties were selected for focused engagement: Allen, Douglas, Leavenworth and Wyandotte in Kansas and Cass, Jackson, Lafayette and St. Clair in Missouri.
The main goal of the project is to identify actionable strategies to develop a sustainable, systematic connection between food producers and consumers in the region. The project objectives are to:
A foodshed is the geographic area in which food flows from producers to consumers. For this project, the regional foodshed is identified as the area within a 100-mile radius of Kansas City. Eight priority counties were selected for focused engagement: Allen, Douglas, Leavenworth and Wyandotte in Kansas and Cass, Jackson, Lafayette and St. Clair in Missouri.
The main goal of the project is to identify actionable strategies to develop a sustainable, systematic connection between food producers and consumers in the region. The project objectives are to:
- Bring together diverse stakeholders to build connections, collaboration and a shared understanding of the current food system and establish a collective vision for a resilient food system.
- Conduct an equity-based food system assessment to understand inequities in the regional food system and highlight structural barriers as well as identify assets and opportunities, including an inventory of food system organizations.
- Develop recommendations and an action plan for building a collaborative, resilient and equitable food system.
Action Plan
The regional food system action plan outlines specific and collaborative steps for achieving an equitable and sustainable food system in the Kansas City area. The eight goals and 27 strategies outlined in the plan address food security, support for workers, buying local, careers in the food system, land access, infrastructure, retail markets and resources. Explore the Plan
A summary of the action plan is available to print. Click the link below for the language you need.
English Summary
Burmese Summary
Spanish Summary
The regional food system action plan outlines specific and collaborative steps for achieving an equitable and sustainable food system in the Kansas City area. The eight goals and 27 strategies outlined in the plan address food security, support for workers, buying local, careers in the food system, land access, infrastructure, retail markets and resources. Explore the Plan
A summary of the action plan is available to print. Click the link below for the language you need.
English Summary
Burmese Summary
Spanish Summary
Assessment Report
The assessment report distills key data insights organized around the Whole Measures for Community Food Systems assessment framework. It provides a baseline for the regional foodshed and the foundation for the action plan. Read the Report
The assessment report distills key data insights organized around the Whole Measures for Community Food Systems assessment framework. It provides a baseline for the regional foodshed and the foundation for the action plan. Read the Report
Project Data
Reports about the community engagement process and data from project surveys and focus groups are available using the links below. Some, but not all, of this data is included in the assessment report. Data from existing local, state and federal sources is accessible through the food system dashboard developed by Mid-America Regional Council. The survey responses have been aggregated and visualized. To access raw survey data, contact Andrea at [email protected].
Other Reports:
Focus Group Participation Report
Community Priorities Report
Focus Group Comments:
2023 Focus Group Comments
2022 Focus Group Comments
Survey Data:
Food System Organizations Survey Data
Local Production Survey Data
Distribution and Retail Survey Data
Reports about the community engagement process and data from project surveys and focus groups are available using the links below. Some, but not all, of this data is included in the assessment report. Data from existing local, state and federal sources is accessible through the food system dashboard developed by Mid-America Regional Council. The survey responses have been aggregated and visualized. To access raw survey data, contact Andrea at [email protected].
Other Reports:
Focus Group Participation Report
Community Priorities Report
Focus Group Comments:
2023 Focus Group Comments
2022 Focus Group Comments
Survey Data:
Food System Organizations Survey Data
Local Production Survey Data
Distribution and Retail Survey Data
Coordinating Team
Andrea Clark, AICP
Director of Food System Planning, KC Healthy Kids
Ami Freeberg
Assistant Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Cultivate KC
Daniel Robinson
Northeast Grocers Project Coordinator, Groundwork NRG
Member, KC Young Farmers Coalition
Katie Nixon
Food Systems Director, West Central Missouri Community Action Agency & New Growth
President, The KC Food Hub
Co-Operator, Green Gate Family Farm
Marlene Nagel
Community Development Director, Mid-America Regional Council
Rachael McGinnis-Millsap
Vice President of Programs & Policy, KC Healthy Kids
Interim Director, Greater KC Food Policy Coalition
Andrea Clark, AICP
Director of Food System Planning, KC Healthy Kids
Ami Freeberg
Assistant Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Cultivate KC
Daniel Robinson
Northeast Grocers Project Coordinator, Groundwork NRG
Member, KC Young Farmers Coalition
Katie Nixon
Food Systems Director, West Central Missouri Community Action Agency & New Growth
President, The KC Food Hub
Co-Operator, Green Gate Family Farm
Marlene Nagel
Community Development Director, Mid-America Regional Council
Rachael McGinnis-Millsap
Vice President of Programs & Policy, KC Healthy Kids
Interim Director, Greater KC Food Policy Coalition
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Advisory Board
Anita Muniz-GrandPre Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, K-State Research & Extension Leavenworth County Ed Smith Consultant, Kansas City Indian Center Elizabeth Reynoso Director of Community Education & Outreach, El Centro, Inc. Jamie Placht Community Engagement Coordinator, Kanbe's Markets Jose Leon Union Representative, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 2 Karen Siebert Advocacy & Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters-The Community Food Network |
Robert Hicks Farmer, Nanasoohannena Farm Semra Fetahovic Program Coordinator, K-State Urban Food Initiative Shanita McAffee-Bryant Executive Director, The Prospect KC Susan Jaster Farm Outreach Worker-West Central Missouri, Lincoln University Tom Buller Executive Director, Kansas Rural Center |
