By Shelby Nace, LMSW
Most parents already know the secret to a happy, well-regulated kiddo: burn off that energy with some good old-fashioned play! With National Preschool Health & Fitness Day coming up on January 27, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the magical connection between physical activity and emotional well-being. When we help kids move their bodies and explore their feelings, we’re setting them up for a lifetime of health. The Power Duo: Body and Mind These days, recess and outdoor exploration often get squeezed out of school schedules. But here’s the thing: moving our bodies isn’t just good for physical health—it’s also a game-changer for mental wellness. Physical activities like running, jumping, and dancing release feel-good endorphins that help reduce stress, boost mood, and sharpen focus. And when kids start these habits early, they’re more likely to stick with them for life. But fitness isn’t just about movement—it’s about building resilience, social skills, and emotional regulation, too. Group activities like tag, dance parties, or yoga teach kids how to communicate, share, and even sit with tricky emotions. When kids learn to channel their energy and navigate their feelings, they’re setting the stage for becoming well-rounded adults. Easy (and Fun!) Ways to Mix Physical and Mental Fitness Bringing movement and mindfulness together doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few playful ways to help your little ones thrive:
Let’s Make It Happen This National Preschool Health & Fitness Day, let’s pledge to build environments that get kids moving and feeling great. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, weaving physical and mental fitness into daily life is easier (and more fun!) than you might think. Let’s lace up those sneakers, roll out the yoga mats, and make space for moments of calm and connection. By doing so, we’re giving our kids tools to manage their emotions, build resilience, and enjoy a lifetime of health and happiness. Ready, set… play! Shelby Nace is a licensed social worker with KC Healthy Kids and self-described “big feelings person.” She is passionate about building strong bonds among families. Shelby hosts a monthly community story time at PH Coffee to help young children explore and understand their feelings. By Claire Sinovic Winter days with kids can be…challenging. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE bundling up to play outside, sitting around a fire pit, trekking to the nearest sledding hill, building snow forts and assembling snow’people’, but with shorter days and colder temperatures, outdoor fun is only fun for so long. There are tons of fun activities for kiddos to do inside, but the following 4 are all local food themed and can be done from the comfort of your own home! These activities are great ways to support our local food producers and introduce kids to the importance of connecting to their local food system. So get cozy and keep reading to learn more! 1. Bake your favorite recipe using local flour. Check out KC Food Circle farmer, Fyler Farms. They have several flour options to choose from or you can try one of their delicious baking mixes. The chocolate chip muffins are my favorite! Photo Credit: Fyler Farms 2. Bring growing indoors with these local grow kits. KC Food Circle farmers, MyCo Planet offers mushroom grow kits and Food Life Joy offers kits to grow your own microgreens! Photo Credit: MyCo Planet 3. Read veggie themed books. Here are a few of my favorite you can check out from your nearest library or if you’re buying, consider these local KC book shops - Bliss Books & Wine, Flagship Books, and Monstera’s Books.
4. Plan your spring garden. Browse local seed offerings from KC Food Circle farmer, The Buffalo Seed Company, and make a plan to attend the Eat Local & Organic Expo on March 29th at Avila University to get garden transplants! Once you’ve decided what you’ll grow, get out the pen and paper and map out your garden as a family. If you have some old magazines laying around, make your garden map more of a collage by letting the kids cut out veggie photos and glue them onto your garden map. Photo Credit: The Buffalo Seed Company This last suggestion is technically not an activity, but winter is also the perfect time to research and sign up for Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA for short. Many of the KC Food Circle Farmer members offer winter signup options and would be happy to talk over details to help you decide if their farm share is the right fit for your family. Get the kids involved by looking over the contents of what each farm will be offering. Ask your kid’s opinion on what types of local food they’d be most excited to receive in the CSA share. You can read more about CSA in my previous post, Support Local in 2025 with Community Supported Agriculture.
I hope this list comes in handy when you’re trapped…I mean when you’re spending time indoors with your kiddos this winter. If you enjoyed browsing the categories of farmers mentioned in this post, please check out all our KC Food Circle members by heading to our KC Food Circle Directory and find those nearest you on the Eat Local KC Map. Stay warm and have a happy winter! Claire Sinovic is a local food systems expert, garden educator and former nutrition coach who helps farmers build thriving businesses and teaches kids and families about the value of urban agriculture and buying locally-grown foods. She oversees the KC Food Circle membership program which includes the KC Food Circle member directory, the Eat Local & Organic Expo and the Eat Local KC map. By Claire Sinovic
While the winter months are a time for rest and rejuvenation on the farm, they’re also when many farmers begin to plan for the next growing season. Be part of their planning process for 2025 by participating in a CSA! What is a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA for short), is a partnership between the consumer (you) and the person growing or raising your food. Similar to a subscription service, you pay the farmer upfront and in return, you’ll receive an assortment of fresh, local food items throughout the season, generally on a weekly basis. This model is great, because it benefits both farmer and consumer. Farmers get assured income to start their season and you’ll get access to a bounty of delicious local food all season long, including new and exciting items mixed in with your go-to favorites. CSAs also provide the perfect opportunity to build a relationship with the people who grow your food, see where your food comes from and to taste the freshest food our region has to offer. A few things to consider: Share Size & Price – How big is a share? Will it feed your household? What’s the total cost for the season? TIP: Some CSAs offer a “big box” and “small box” – talk with the farmer about what a typical share looks like. One of the great benefits of knowing the folks who grow your food, is that they can tell you all about it! Pickup/Delivery Time & Location – Where and when do you pick up your share? Does pickup work with your schedule? Is there a delivery or drop off spot option available? Season Length & Contents – How many weeks does your CSA run? What’s included? Are there any value-added items like breads, jams, or ferments? Ready to join a KC Food Circle CSA? Step 1: Check out all the wonderful KC Food Circle members offering CSAs this year. Step 2: Contact the KC Food Circle Member Farmer who offers the CSA program that best fits your needs. Ask about payment, pickup date/time/location, and CSA contents. Step 3: Pick up your share and enjoy amazing local food! Looking for other ways to find local food? Check out our KC Food Circle Directory and Eat Local KC Map to discover restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets (check out our post with local holiday markets here), growers, and community partners offering locally-sourced food and more! Claire Sinovic is a local food systems expert, garden educator, and former nutrition coach who helps farmers build thriving businesses and teaches kids and families about the value of urban agriculture and buying locally-grown foods. She oversees the KC Food Circle membership program which includes the KC Food Circle member directory, the Eat Local & Organic Expo and the Eat Local KC Map. “I give because I believe every child should have access to nutritious food and a healthy start. When we support these kids, we’re investing in a better future for all of us.” - Scott MgGehee
Since 2005, KC Healthy Kids, founded by the Hartwig Family Fund, has been on a mission to promote healthy lifestyles for children across our region. As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2025, we’re proud of the impact we’ve made together, but there is still so much more to accomplish. Our dedicated team—including community leaders, educators, social workers, policymakers, and agricultural scientists—has established KC Healthy Kids as a trusted partner in Kansas City. With the support of people like YOU, we’ve positively impacted thousands of children, families, and community members in the past two decades including:
Your generosity has helped give more children the opportunity to live healthier lifestyles. But for every child we reach, many others still need our help. This Giving Tuesday, will you help us expand our reach and ensure a brighter future for even more families across the Greater Kansas City area? By supporting KC Healthy Kids, you’re investing in:
Thank you for your incredible generosity and unwavering support. Together, we’re building a healthier, happier future for children right here in our community. ➡ ️ Donate Today! Psst...Want to be a superhero for KC kids? We recently launched our new Healthy Heroes monthly giving program. This is a GREAT way to make a year-round impact on our mission of nurturing healthy lifestyles for KC area children. Check it out. A Special Acknowledgment to Our Supporters We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors, volunteers, and board members for your invaluable support throughout the year. Your dedication makes a difference every day for the children and families we serve. Board of Directors Special thanks to our current and former board members for their dedication and generosity as volunteers and donors.
Healthy Heroes Our Healthy Heroes donors make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children. Special thanks to:
Annual Donors We appreciate each of our annual donors for their generous support:
Donating Organizations and Foundations We are grateful to the following organizations and foundations for their essential support:
Greater KC Food Policy Coalition We thank our 2024 Steering Committee members for working with us to create a healthier Kansas City:
Volunteers We are grateful to our dedicated volunteers who give their time to help fulfill our mission:
Because of donors and supporters like you, thousands of children are receiving the care they need, learning, growing, and dreaming big. Join us on Giving Tuesday and be a hero for healthy kids all year long by giving monthly! ➡ ️ Donate Today! Become a Healthy Hero: Join Our New Monthly Donor Program!
“I give to KC Healthy Kids monthly because I believe that real, lasting change takes ongoing support. My monthly gift helps provide stability and momentum for an organization I care about, ensuring they have the resources needed to make a difference every single day. It’s not just a donation; it’s my commitment to a future where children and families thrive.” — Rachel Bennett Too many children in Kansas City face barriers to leading active, healthy lives. For 20 years, KC Healthy Kids has worked to build strong communities where all Kansas City youth can thrive in both body and mind. Now, you can help make a lasting impact by joining Healthy Heroes, our new monthly giving program! Why Become a Healthy Hero? By joining Healthy Heroes, you’ll play a crucial role in our year-round mission to nurture healthy lifestyles for kids across the KC area. Here’s what your monthly gift will support:
How Your Donation Makes a Difference Even a small monthly gift can have a big impact!
Special Perks for Healthy Heroes As a Healthy Hero, you’ll get exclusive invitations to virtual or in-person tours of partner farms, special recognition at our Eat Local & Organic Expo, and behind-the-scenes updates on the impact of your support. Celebrate 20 Years of Impact with Us As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more committed than ever to Kansas City’s children—and we need heroes like you to help us make the next 20 years even brighter. Join the Healthy Heroes community TODAY and be part of a movement dedicated to raising strong, healthy kids! ![]() By Shelby Nace, LMSW The holidays are upon us! For many families, this means a much-needed break to spend quality time with those we love the most. But for others, it brings disrupted routines, family tension, tight budgets, and STRESS. The holidays can get very stressful, especially when navigating them with young kids. As a social worker, many parents tell me they want to make the season special for their kids. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, their focus can become narrow and their own stress gets in the way of meaningful moments. Here are a few tips for managing holiday transitions and helping the whole family enjoy this time. Decide Now Which Family Traditions Really Matter Before we get wrapped up in the holiday season, sit down as a family to discuss which holiday traditions hold the most meaning to each of you. We often preserve traditions simply out of habit, but find in the moment that they no longer add value to our lives, or hold fond memories. Does your great aunt’s complicated Jell-O salad really enhance Thanksgiving? Or is picking out a real Christmas tree important because it reminds you of childhood? There’s no judgment – just decide ahead of time which traditions stick around and which don’t make the cut. Focus on building new ones or keeping old ones that bring the family together in mindful ways, without adding too much stress. Schedule Downtime and Don’t Overcommit As fun as it is seeing loved ones, we tend to overcommit during the holidays. Try scheduling at least a couple days just for rest and self-care. Maybe this even becomes one of your new traditions! Remember, it's the small, simple moments that create the strongest memories – savoring hot chocolate together, sharing a laugh, or just cuddling on the couch. Take time to slow down and truly experience these low-key moments as a family. Set Firm Boundaries Ahead of Time We may want everyone to have a great time, but setting clear boundaries with extended family can help reduce stress. Think about potential tension points and address them proactively. For example, if certain family members tend to comment on your parenting or bring up sensitive topics, ask them kindly to avoid those topics. You could say, “We’re really looking forward to our visit, but I’d appreciate it if we could avoid conversations about discipline or bedtime routines.” Another area to consider is your child’s personal boundaries. If your child feels uncomfortable with hugs or kisses from relatives, let family know you’re teaching them about consent and autonomy. Offer alternatives like high-fives or waves to keep things friendly without forcing physical contact. Setting these expectations ahead of time creates a smoother experience for all, keeping the focus on togetherness and respect. Prioritize Presence Over Presents In the rush to make everything "perfect," it's easy to fixate on gift-giving. But children will remember quality time with you more than the number of presents they receive. Instead of stressing over gifts, prioritize being fully present. This could mean baking cookies together, reading a holiday story before bed, going for a winter walk, or letting them help decorate the house. These small moments create lasting memories and family connection. They also reduce financial and environmental stress, teaching kids that the holidays are about love, kindness, and connection, not material things. Model Self-Care and Emotional Awareness Holidays can bring up intense emotions, and kids pick up on so much more than we realize. One of the most meaningful gifts you can give your children during the holiday season is modeling self-care and emotional awareness. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a breath and ground yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk to your kids about managing emotions in an age-appropriate way. You could say something like: “I’m feeling stressed with so much going on. I’m going to take some deep breaths to feel better.” Kids learn by observing, so if they see you handling stress in a healthy way, they’re more likely to adopt those habits themselves. Don’t hesitate to ask friends, family or even a mental health professional for help if you need it. Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential, especially during busy seasons. Find Joy in Simple Moments Make an effort to let go of unrealistic expectations. If things don’t go perfectly, that’s okay! Laugh off the mishaps and find joy in the reality of the season. The holidays are for connecting, reflecting, and growing together as a family. Embrace the imperfections and focus on creating memories filled with love, laughter, and genuine connection. This holiday, create a peaceful, joyful experience for your family by emphasizing quality time, self-care, and clear communication. Prioritize meaningful traditions, set boundaries, be present, and model emotional awareness. You’re not only making the holidays more enjoyable, but teaching valuable lifelong lessons to your children. From the Mental Health team at KC Healthy Kids, including Dr. Nancy Osborn and myself, we wish you a joyful holiday season filled with connection and celebration! Shelby Nace is a licensed social worker with KC Healthy Kids and self-described “big feelings person.” She is passionate about building strong bonds among families. Shelby hosts a monthly community story time at PH Coffee to help young children explore and understand their feelings. photo credit: City Market Farmers Market By Claire Sinovic A holiday meal is the perfect time to support and give thanks to local farmers and food businesses. From the main dish to sides, sweets, and drinks, you can elevate your holiday meal with delicious local goodies. Unlike mass-produced foods, KC Food Circle farmers put time, attention, and love into their products. They pledge to avoid synthetic chemicals and use humane, sustainable practices. You can feel confident making the healthier choice for your family, friends, and the environment. Below you’ll find local farms with protein options for your main dishes, kombucha brewers for your bubbly holiday beverage, and farmers markets promoting special holiday market events to round out your meal with delicious and local ingredients. Main Dish Options: In most cases, it’s best to order from these farms and businesses sooner rather than later, because once these products are gone, they’re gone! David’s Pasture raises their chickens and turkeys outside on green pastures with regular moves to ensure they get all the bugs and fresh forage they can handle. Available products include whole turkeys (10-15 lbs), whole chickens (4-6 lbs), chicken cuts and smoked hams. Order online or call Remi (the owner since he was 11 years old!) at 816-633-2411. He is always happy to answer questions! Delivery and on-farm pickup options are available. Check the delivery area here. Farrar Family Farms raises animals on a regenerative, grass-based farm. Their products include turkey, chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. Order online. Delivery and community pickup locations available. View their pickup locations map and home delivery schedule here. MyCo Planet is a woman-owned mushroom farm providing fresh, locally grown mushrooms and mushroom products. Mushrooms make a great meat alternative and are the only non-meat source of Vitamin D! Their products include mixed oyster, lion’s mane, and shiitake. Order by emailing [email protected] or calling 833-419-6926. Farm pickup in North Kansas City on Nov 22. Salmon Enterprises offers grass-fed, grain-finished beef for marbling and flavor. Their products include several beef cuts, as well as beef snack sticks, beef summer sausage, and prime rib. Order by emailing [email protected] or visiting salmonenterprisesllc.com. Delivery available. photo credit: Salmon Enterprises USA Duck Team has pasture-raised duck and goose, and humanely-raised rabbit. Their products include whole ducks, rabbits, and duck and rabbit pairs. Order by messaging facebook.com/duckteamusa or texting 816-726-9626. Farm pickup in KCK. photo credit: USA Duck Team Beverage Options: Kombucha, a fermented drink chock-full of gut supporting probiotics, is the perfect fizzy holiday beverage! The two businesses below are new KC Food Circle members who source many of their ingredients from local farms. I speak from experience when I say, both are delicious! Morning Light Kombucha is an Indigenous-woman owned company using sustainably harvested local ingredients. Shop their website or find a local retailer. photo credit: Morning Light Kombucha Tea-Biotics Kombucha is a woman-owned company passionate about their ingredients, sustainability, the environment and the communities they serve. Shop their website or visit their taproom in Olathe, the World’s Largest Kombucha Taproom, with 48 flavors on tap! photo credit: Tea-Biotics Kombucha Holiday Farmers Markets: For a festive holiday shopping experience, check out these local farmers markets featuring special holiday events and vendors. Stock up on local ingredients, plus unique gifts and crafts from area farmers and makers (including many of our KC Food Circle members). Who knows? You may even spot the jolly old elf himself making an appearance at some of these holiday market events! City Market's Merry Market with Art Garden KC! happens from 10am- 4pm every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Free and open to the public. KC Farm School's Annual Holiday Market on Nov 25 from 3-7pm has vendors, food, drinks, games, and a cozy greenhouse setting. Lenexa’s Annual Holiday Farmers Market is Nov 23 (10am-1pm) and Dec 21 (10am-1pm) inside Lenexa City Hall with high-quality ingredients and gifts from local vendors. Mission Market is holding a special pop up Holiday Market featuring local vendors! It’s all happening at their Holiday Lights and Festive Sights event on Dec 6 from 5:30-8:30pm at 5635 Johnson Drive. Lee's Summit Farmers Market Holiday Mart on Dec 7 from 10am-2pm at Lee’s Summit City Hall will have 18 local vendors and free insulated market tote bags for the first 150 customers. Overland Park Farmers Market concludes their season in Downtown Overland Park with a Holiday Market on Dec 7 from 8am-12pm with local foods and unique specialty products. Lawrence Farmers Market Holiday Market takes place Dec 14 from 9am-4pm with over 40 vendors providing local produce, handmade crafts, and gift options under the Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. photo credit: City Market Farmers Market Check out all our KC Food Circle members by heading to our member directory and find those nearest you on the Eat Local KC Map!
As you gather around the table with family and friends this season, we here at KC Healthy Kids wish you a holiday that's overflowing with good food, good cheer, and plenty of locally-sourced ingredients fresh from our area's dedicated farmers and food purveyors. Claire Sinovic is a local food systems expert, garden educator, and former nutrition coach who helps farmers build thriving businesses and teaches kids and families about the value of urban agriculture and buying locally-grown foods. She oversees the KC Food Circle membership program which includes the KC Food Circle member directory, the Eat Local & Organic Expo and the Eat Local KC Map. By Shelby Nace, LMSW
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my decade working with children and families, it’s this: Kids have A LOT of big feelings. But are we equipping them with the right tools and guidance to navigate them? Putting in the effort to create spaces that are physically and emotionally safe for children to express emotions can facilitate growth and even enhance learning. The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Schools Kids spend a huge portion of their time in school. As a former trauma specialist in public schools during the pandemic, it became clear to me that focusing on test scores and discipline wasn’t enough to effectively reach children. Research shows that explicitly teaching social-emotional skills – such as caring, responsibility, conflict resolution, effective communication, and healthy coping – leads to greater personal and academic success later in life. But to effectively teach those coping skills, students must feel physically, emotionally and behaviorally safe. This means having physical safety protocols, yes, but also ensuring kids know they’re valued and cared for even when they express difficult emotions. They need to see themselves reflected in the curriculum and environment, with room to respond (not just react) when they are upset. Creating Safe Physical Spaces for Emotions Many schools have taken note, and now have “Safe Spaces” (sometimes called “Peace Corners” or “Regulation Spaces”) in the classroom where anyone (even adults) can pause to de-stress, reflect, and regain composure when feeling overwhelmed or upset. Students are encouraged to use these spaces, not as a “time out” or punishment, but voluntarily to process emotions before re-entering the learning environment ready to learn. Educators report that children using these spaces are better able to manage their emotions, resulting in fewer disruptions in the classroom and a more optimal learning environment. KC Healthy Kids recently installed Safe Spaces in two local early learning centers, with help from a grant provided by 15 and The Mahomies Foundation, helping young students feel safe while learning to cope with big feelings. We aim to continue offering mindfulness resources like this to young children across the Greater Kansas City area. Bringing Emotional Intelligence Strategies into the Home With young kids, it helps to implement similar emotional regulation practices both at home and school. One easy way to do that is to create your own Safe Space at home! How to Create a Space Space in Your Home Have each family member choose their own comfy nook within your home. A closet or special chair works great. What matters is the space should be an inviting, private spot they can use autonomously (not for punishment). Then, fill each space with comfort items that promote calm, like:
How to Use a Safe Space When someone in the family starts to feel overwhelmed, encourage everyone (including yourself) to take a 5-10 minute break (a 5 minute sand timer is a great visual reminder for young kiddos) in their Safe Space before returning to their activity. For many of us, feeling overwhelmed starts in the body. It may be a “gut” or worried feeling in our stomach, a racing heart, or tight shoulders. For young kids, overwhelm can look like excessive silliness, struggling to keep still, or resisting any suggestions from parents. This break gives the nervous system a chance to reset and helps our cognitive, thinking brain get back online, rather than engaging our “fight or flight” response, which can create high tensions. When the whole family uses this strategy, children learn from modeled behavior and stigma reduces. Creating a Safe Space in your home can profoundly impact your child’s ability to process and manage big feelings in a healthy way. You’re teaching them that their emotions matter, and so does the way they manage them. Moreover, when the entire family practices using these Safe Spaces together, children see emotional regulation modeled in real time, which normalizes taking breaks to manage stress. Whether it’s a corner of the living room or a special seat in their classroom, your child will gain the ability to work through emotions independently. In a world that often feels unsafe and overwhelming, these Safe Spaces provide a sense of comfort they can carry with them through life. Shelby Nace is a licensed social worker with KC Healthy Kids and self-described “big feelings person.” She is passionate about building strong bonds among families. Shelby hosts a monthly community story time at PH Coffee to help young children explore and understand their feelings. By Shelby Nace, LMSW
A few years ago, when I was working as a social worker in schools, I was stunned by the damage bullying was causing to kids' mental health. The pandemic was still raging, and the issue was taking on new forms that educators weren’t yet prepared to contend with – in school as physical and verbal abuse, online with cyberbullying, and even at home between siblings and relatives. The horrible truth is that bullying can have lasting effects on both the victim and the bully, and many adults have a hard time seeing the seriousness of its effects. Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, I want to share my perspective from the frontlines to help spread awareness about this issue. Understanding the Roots of Bullying Kids often bully because they desire control, were bullied themselves, or a combination of both. A child who bullies may be trying to fit in with a certain group, dealing with their own insecurities, or struggling with problems at home. While that’s not an excuse for bullying behavior, understanding and empathizing with the root issues will go much farther than punishment. Recognizing the warning signs of bullying behavior like aggression, intimidating peers, and frequent conflicts can also help adults intervene early. Strategies for Preventing Bullying
The Role of Parents, Educators, and the CommunityPreventing (and stopping) bullying is a shared responsibility between parents, educators, and the community. We are all at fault if a child feels unsafe.
So, yes, I've seen the profound, lasting impacts bullying can have. But I've also seen how preventable it is when we work together with empathy and set clear expectations. By understanding the roots of bullying, promoting kindness, fostering open communication, setting limits, and staying aware, we can create safer, more inclusive environments for every child to thrive. It takes all of us to stand against bullying and support every child’s right to feel safe and respected. Let's all do our part to make a difference this October. Shelby Nace is a licensed social worker with KC Healthy Kids and self-described “big feelings person.” She is passionate about building strong bonds among families. Shelby hosts a monthly community story time at PH Coffee to help young children explore and understand their feelings. By Gina Piccinini
We’re beyond excited to share that KC Healthy Kids recently received a generous $10,000 gift from the KFC Foundation to support Splitlog Farm and Orchard! This urban farm, located in the heart of Kansas City, Kansas, is an essential part of our community. It’s not just a farm – it’s a place where kids and families come together to learn, grow, and get access to fresh, locally grown produce. What is Splitlog Farm? At KC Healthy Kids, we believe all kids deserve access to a healthy lifestyle. However, many families live in areas known as "food deserts," where grocery stores with fresh produce are hard to come by. We know Wyandotte County in particular faces some serious challenges when it comes to food access. In fact, it has the highest food insecurity rate in Kansas. About 22,000 residents here are low-income with limited access to healthy food. To top it off, nearly three-quarters of the students in the area qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, showing just how big the need is. Splitlog Farm is helping to change that. By growing and giving away fresh produce, the farm directly tackles food insecurity. It also educates kids and families about plant science, mindfulness, nutrition, and budgeting, and supports local farms through our community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. Residents, schools, and early education centers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area receive free fresh produce, helping bring healthy food within reach for more families. What will this gift do? Thanks to the $10,000 gift from the KFC Foundation, we’ll be able to make some much-needed improvements at Splitlog Farm. Renovations will include:
Many of the farm tools and structures we’ve been using are over a decade old, so this support couldn’t have come at a better time. These improvements will also help us continue our sustainable farming practices, like vertical farming and composting, ensuring we can serve the community for many more years to come. “Our goal with the Splitlog Farm expansion is to reach even more children and families, ensuring that fresh, locally grown food is accessible to everyone,” says Danielle Robbins-Gregory, president and CEO of KC Healthy Kids. “This project is going to make a real difference in fighting food insecurity and promoting healthier lifestyles in our community. We’re excited to see what’s next!” Who will the farm expansion benefit? The folks who benefit from Splitlog Farm are as diverse as the Kansas City metro area itself. That includes neighborhood residents, retired educators on fixed incomes, grandparents raising grandkids, and busy working families—many of whom are immigrants juggling work, family, and language barriers. But one thing they all have in common is their struggle to find affordable, healthy food. With these improvements and the continued support of amazing partners like the KFC Foundation, we’re aiming to increase our produce distribution from 1,700 pounds to 2,700 pounds, helping even more families. We’ll also continue offering educational programs that teach residents how to grow their own food and make healthier choices. Stay tuned for more updates on the Splitlog Farm expansion and the impact it will have on the community! |