Tackling Food Insecurity

Years ago, my perspective on community development changed completely — all because of a food security issue in my own family. Up to that point, I thought I understood economic development and housing. I lived in a farming community. We had a family farm, were surrounded by factories, mills, and grocery stores. But I realized I’d only ever understood that world from within my own bubble — my experiences, my circle.

Everything shifted when my grandma lost the only grocery store in her small town. And let me tell you — you did not want her on the highway to the next town just to get her Little Debbie snack cakes when the craving hit.

But that moment led me to a bigger question:

How does a town full of farmers — with a flour mill just down the road — not have a single grocery store?

How does that happen?

That question pulled me down a rabbit hole — and what I found wasn’t just a one-off case. What happened in St. John, Kansas, is a reflection of what’s happening in communities all across the country — including right here in Wyandotte County.

Food insecurity is not a single-issue problem. Building a grocery store isn’t a silver bullet. We also have to deal with transportation, affordability, and safety. It doesn’t matter if there’s a store within a mile of your home if you don’t have a car, a ride, or a reliable bus system. It doesn’t matter if you have WIC if local stores don’t accept it. It doesn’t matter if you have SNAP or EBT if the only place to use it is at a gas station.

Food insecurity is layered — and it affects the overall health, stability, and dignity of our communities. A 2016 study commissioned by the State of Kansas outlined many of these issues. Nearly a decade later, most of them still remain. So the question becomes:

Why haven’t we moved the needle?

That’s what drives me today — asking the hard questions, pushing for smart solutions, and making sure no family is left behind when it comes to something as basic and essential as food. We have been the lowest-rank county in terms of health since at least 2009 and that can't be our reputation any longer.

🏷️ Business Licensing

Basic updates to our zoning and licensing policies can remove unnecessary barriers for local farmers and small producers. Currently, Wyandotte County regulations are more restrictive than state standards — creating roadblocks for those trying to package and sell goods legally. Aligning with state-level guidelines would immediately open the door for more local food entrepreneurship.

🗺️ Planning & Zoning

Our agricultural zoning policies were built for a different era — one dominated by large family farms. But as those farms are divided and sold for development, and as our agricultural workforce shifts, we must modernize. By introducing intensity-based zoning tiers, we can support everything from urban growers starting small businesses, to suburban homesteaders feeding extended families, to cattle ranchers who still rely on land access. Smarter zoning allows for sustainable growth at every level.

🧠 Community Education

Partnering with existing organizations and task forces, we can expand outreach around nutrition and healthy eating. This includes promoting cooking with fresh, local produce over processed foods and ensuring that food education is culturally relevant and accessible to every family.

🤝 Partnerships

Programs like KC Farm School at Gibbs Road and Cultivate KC are already doing the work — providing tools, training, and opportunities for local growers and communities. By highlighting and supporting these efforts, we can amplify their impact and make local food systems stronger and more inclusive.

🏬 Economic Development

Food access is economic development. Grocery stores are community anchors — even if they aren’t as flashy as amusement parks or entertainment districts. Yet many neighborhoods, like 18th & Quindaro and others across our county, aren’t getting the attention they deserve from developers. That’s why we need to pursue alternative models — from farm stands and cooperatives to regional grocery chains.If St. John, Kansas — a town of 1,200 — can reopen a grocery store through community-led innovation, what’s stopping us? 📖 Read more here

🍼 WIC Exemption Advocacy

Current state regulations for WIC vendors are outdated and overly strict, requiring store sizes and inventories that small corner markets simply can’t meet. Worse, WIC food lists often lack cultural relevance — leaving many families underserved. We must advocate at the state level for modernized, inclusive WIC standards that reflect the realities of our communities.

💰 Tax Credit Advocacy

The USDA has ranked the Kansas City Metro as one of the top eight regions for urban farm growth potential. In response, Missouri has passed new tax credits to support urban farmers and small growers. It’s time for Kansas to follow suit — and invest in the future of our food system. 📖 Read more here