First local food summit energizes Kansas communities - Land-Grant Impacts

tractor driving through a field

First local food summit energizes Kansas communities

Food Security, Story 2025, Community Development/Engagement, Economic Development, Extension, Food Security, Food Systems, Kansas, Kansas State University, North Central, Rural Communities/Health

Many communities across the state of Kansas are working to improve their local food systems. However, these efforts often lack cooperation or coordination with other local food programs across the state. The Kansas Local Food Summit was the first event in the state to bring these many groups together.

Organized by the local food systems team at Kansas State University, the summit gave people from communities across the state the opportunity to network, learn from the experts and learn from other similar programs.

Topics covered included information on resources available to help grow local food systems, the food distribution process, how to increase food access in food deserts, food waste and food recovery efforts and food insecurity. After the event, 94% of participants reported they felt energized and motivated to improve local food systems.

View the full statement on the NIDB.

Project supported by USDA Competitive and Smith-Lever (3b&c) funds.

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