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The Community Food Systems Team works to provide evidence-based information for food system questions, identify and respond to the significant challenges and opportunities that our food system faces, and highlight projects within Kansas that strengthen the distribution, processing, access, consumption, and recovery of local foods.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter provides updates about upcoming events and local food happenings in the state.
Subscribe to our magazine & read inspiring success stories about hardworking food businesses thriving across Kansas.
Learn more about food and farm business services and resources tailored to your needs and aspirations.
Heartland Regional Food Business Coalition
The Heartland Regional Food Business Coalition helps farm and food enterprises develop local and regional food businesses and markets. Partners of these efforts provide assistance from startup through growth, and also support supply chain connections.
Comprised of over 30 partners, including K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Rural Center, and others, the Heartland Regional Food Business Center provides localized, proactive assistance to small, mid-size, and diverse entrepreneurs.
Technical Assistance: Farm and food business development, including training, business planning, mentorship, marketing, and help accessing financing and other support.
Coordination: Connection to other needed businesses in the food value chain, such as processors and distributors and to local, state, and national funding and other resources.
Capacity Building: Grant funding for next-step investments and business assistance to local and regional food system initiatives in the region.
- Hire two food systems entrepreneurial resource navigators
- Host two Edible Food Business Startup Summits
- Provide Professional Development Scholarships for business trainings
- Develop a magazine publication to highlight local food systems efforts
- Work with collaborating organizations to:
- Provide workshops and 1-1 business technical assistance (KS Small Business Development Center)
- Provide training on compliance, licensing, and permitting, training on marketing and access to From the Land of Kansas trademark program (KS Dept of Agriculture)
- Provide business support to food-based business operators (Shop KS Farms)
- Provide business support to processed-food based businesses (KS Value Added Foods Lab)
In the News
Lifting up Kansas communities and their work to build a thriving local food system.
Community Food Systems team
Our team is available to help you achieve your food and farm system and business goals.