Local and Regional Food System Planning
The Kansas Food System
The food system is everything that is part of ensuring that people have the food they need to survive and thrive - from production through processing, distribution, consumption, and food waste management - if it involves food in some way, it is part of the food system. Learn more about how our team can help you find local food, produce food, grow your business and cultivate community!
Community Roundtables
We have completed all of the planned roundtables at this time. Thank you for your support and participation! We were able to hear from over 400 Kansans from across the state about their challenges, needs, and future goals for our local food systems. The report on the roundtable findings is linked below. Also below is the recording of our results discussion on July 16, 2024.
Are you interested in holding a community roundtable for your area? Contact us at kansaslocalfoods@ksu.edu to discuss the possibilities.
Kansas Local and Regional Food Systems
A strong and resilient local food system requires partnership and collaboration between many different people and entities. K-State Research and Extension has many partners that are working together for a more vibrant local food economy in Kansas.
10 Things to Know About Local Food Systems (Iowa State) Food and Agriculture Mapper and Explorer (FAME) (eXtension) Farm to Table: Building Local and Regional Food Systems (SARE) Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities (St. Louis Fed) Introduction to Local Food Systems (MU) The Economics of Local Food Systems (pdf, USDA) Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development Local Foods, Local Places Toolkit (pdf, EPA) Local Food Economics (eXtension) Strengthening Communities with Local Food (pdf, KDHE) Urban Agriculture Best Practices and Possibilities (pdf, MU) Feeding Kansas Report (KRC, 2014) Local Food and Farm Task Force Report to the Legislature (pdf, KDA, 2016) Local Food and Farm Task Force Report to the Legislature (pdf, KDA, 2017) See priorities and goals for different regions of our state.