Rooted In Gratitude: Giving Thanks for Local Food
As we delve into November, a month for thankfulness, I can’t help but reminisce on all of the other local food organizations within Johnson County and the KC metro area that are doing wonderful, if often unseen, work. Through tireless efforts in grant writing, education, outreach, and support, these entities play a pivotal role in helping us sustain and build upon our current food system, elevating it to an even more resilient one that sustainably feeds all and is capable of withstanding any “wrenches” that could try to throw our system off track.
But who exactly are these entities working so hard to keep us fed? In addition to Extension’s many efforts, the entities are plentiful, and their specialties are often geared toward specific aspects of our food system. Cultivate KC works to support local specialty crop farmers with everything from land access to grant availability, technical assistance, market access, and community building. Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) provides support to community and school gardens through educational workshops, plant sales, garden management resources, and Giving Grove orchards.
From a food access standpoint, Harvesters Community Food Network serves as our regional food bank, collecting excess produce within the metro area and distributing it equitably through area food pantries. Urban Produce Push (UPP), focuses on rescuing fresh produce directly from farms and distributing it to local pantries. Pete’s Garden takes a different approach, working to reclaim prepared food from restaurants and caterers to create ready-to-eat meals for families. Meanwhile, the KC Food Hub connects local farmers to wholesale markets and institutions, ensuring that more regionally grown food makes its way into schools, restaurants, and community programs.
Though too numerous to list, Johnson County has its own fair share of community food pantries working diligently to provide a basic human need to neighbors in our community with dignity and grace. Even our local government entities play a role in food system support, with everything from health and nutrition or ecology classes offered through parks and recreation departments, to county-level stormwater initiatives that help protect the water and soil needed to grow our food. Waste management programs also contribute to the equation by playing a vital role in collecting and reclaiming nutrients for local soils.
From a holistic perspective, you can find a large number of our local food system entities listed with The Food Circle, a membership-based nonprofit providing support across all levels of the food system, including production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste recovery. The Johnson County Food Policy Council is also composed of several of these entities, helping tie many of the aforementioned efforts together and encouraging collaboration among organizations and agencies to strengthen our shared local food network.
Together, these organizations (and many more unlisted whom we are equally grateful for😊) form the backbone of a well-rounded and resilient local food system, one that quietly sustains us and our neighbors every day. Though much of their work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt across every table in our community. As we reflect on what and who we’re thankful for this holiday season, and consider where to lend our support, let’s remember these groups and the vital roles they play. A resilient food system depends on every piece working together, and when we, in our thanks, support those doing the unseen work, we help keep the whole system strong and thriving.
by Anthony Reardon, Horticulture Small Farms Agent, November KFL 2025