On July 14th and 15th, I was given the opportunity by the Kansas Food Action Network to travel to Washington, D.C., and represent the great state of Kansas at the 2026 Gen Z Food and Hunger Summit, hosted by the Congressional Hunger Center and the Food Systems Collaborative.

The Reno County Community Wellness Coalition was hosting their very first block party, and the space was already full of energy. People were bundled up, kids were running around, and there was this steady hum of connection happening all across the park. It felt like one of those gatherings where you could just tell—this matters.

KFAN members gather on the State Capitol steps, united and ready to meet with legislators to advocate for stronger food systems.

Last month, I had the privilege of joining a field trip to Kansas City, organized by the Health & Wellness Coalition (HWC) of Wichita. Thanks to the generous Professional Development funds from the Wichita Foundation, this trip aimed to deepen our understanding of the local food system and strengthen connections among stakeholders working towards a healthier, more sustainable food environment. As a recent Kansas Citian, I was grateful for the invitation.