Improving local access to food

No matter where they live, all Kansas residents have at least one thing in common: they all eat.

That’s why a staff member at Kansas State University’s Kansas Local Food Systems program says all Kansas residents face a similar challenge.

“When we think about food access, it’s a problem across the state,” said Amanda Lindahl, program coordinator at Kansas Local Food Systems. “And the ability to get healthy, fresh, local food is a problem whether you live in a rural area or in an urban area.”

Nearly two years ago, Kansas State University received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build a partnership of organizations that could support resilient local and regional food systems across Kansas.

Lindahl said one of the first projects was to host community discussions across the state to find out what Kansas residents see as the biggest challenges facing their local food system.

“We wanted to ask Kansas residents where they are in their local food system, where they want to go and how K-State can better serve them as part of our role as an institution connected to each country through the Extension system,” Lindahl said.

“As a public university with state funding, we know we play a central role in connecting with and advancing Kansas communities. Using the data we collected, we identified some common themes among Kansas residents and specific goals they want to see implemented in their local food system.”

K-State’s Local Food Systems program has subsequently developed partnerships with numerous organizations and supported groups such as the Kansas Local Foods Cooperative and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center.

In 2024, Kansas Local Food Systems also funded 16 grants for individuals to implement local food programs in their communities — and get paid to do so. Some examples of work done locally this past year include a Second Chance Breakfast program at Thunder Ridge High School in Kensington, marketing and support for the Allen County Farmers Market, and a project to update an online grocery wholesaler and buyer directory in Bourbon County.

“Our work with the Kansas Local Food Systems program is designed to serve as a connector and collaborator,” Lindahl said, “and we have been able to partner with numerous institutions and programs within K-State Research and Extension to provide the best possible support to Kansas residents who want to grow food and participate in local food retail.”

Later this month — on August 27 and 28 — the program will host the first Kansas Local Food Summit in Wichita. Registration is online and open to anyone interested in learning more about or contributing to their local food system.

The cost is $50, which includes materials, the reception on August 27th, and lunch on August 28th.

“We hope this is a place where people feel empowered, engaged and ready to help build a stronger local food system in their own community,” Lindahl said.

More information is also available online at www.ksre.k-state.edu/kansaslocalfoods/local-food-summit