The Kansas Food Policy Council

Mission and Vision

The Kansas Food Policy Council (KSFPC) is a statewide coalition committed to coordination, education and action to strengthen our state’s food system. We envision a healthy, accessible, resilient, and diversified food system for all Kansans.

Background

The initiation of the KSFPC was funded through the USDA Regional Food Systems Partnership Grant awarded to Kansas State University and sub awarded to the Kansas Food Action Network. In June of 2024, the Kansas Food Action Network convened the KSFPC formation committee including 19 representatives from across all sectors of the food system. Since that time, the KS FPC has been focused on establishing the Council and creating Operating Guidelines to shape their work together.

The council will officially launch July 1, 2025. The Kansas Food Action Network will provide ongoing administrative support for the KSFPC.

Formation Committee Voting Members:

  • Scott Thellman, President, Specialty Crop Growers Association

  • Claudia Hissong, State Affairs Manager, Kansas Farm Bureau

  • Nick Levendofsky, Executive Director, Kansas Farmers Union

  • JohnElla Holmes, Director, Kansas Black Farmers Association

  • Thomas Smith, Director of Operations, KC Food Hub

  • Matt Burchett, VP of Strategic Development, Thrive Restaurant Group

  • Rick McNary, Founder, Shop Kansas farms

  • Karen Seibert, Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters

  • Haley Kottler, Thriving and Integrated Voter Engagement Director, Kansas Appleseed

  • Tom Buller, Executive Director, Kansas Rural Center

  • Drew Wilburne, Director of Civic Life and Policy, Kansas Health Foundation

Formation Committee Advisory (non-voting) Members:

  • Julie Henry, Director of Nutrition and Wellness, USD 497

  • Rial Carver, Program Leader, KSU Rural Grocery Initiative

  • Michelle DeHaven, Program Manager, Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University

  • Courtney Koenig, Program Manager, Kansas Department of Health & Environment

  • Sarah van Straaten, Policy Coordination Assistant Director, Department for Children & Families

  • Barb Depew, Farm to Plate Director, Kansas Department of Education

  • Joshua McGinn, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture

  • Rebecca McMahon, Local Food System Program Administrator, KSU Research & Extension

*The Kansas Food Policy Council has both voting and non-voting members.  Non-voting advisory members include state agency staff and others whose expertise is important to inform state policy, but who cannot officially recommend policy changes.  Voting members of the KS FPC are able to vote to recommend state policy changes.

Call for Applicants!

Join the Kansas Food Policy Council!

We are committed to building a representative and inclusive statewide Food Policy Council, and are interested in recruiting Council members who can speak to different experiences across our food system.  State-level policy-making and debate does not always include people from minority and marginalized backgrounds, including those impacted the most directly by state policy decisions. As a council, we want to work to make sure voices from all backgrounds are at the table.

To that end, we are seeking six new members to join our Council.  In particular, we are seeking individuals who:

  • Are passionate about improving our food system for all Kansans.

  • Are committed to working collaboratively with food system stakeholders with a variety of perspectives to arrive at solutions.

  • Will commit to practicing consent-based decision-making processes so that all voices on the Council are heard.

  • Bring diverse perspectives from their local food systems, and will share those to inform improved food policy in our state.

If this sounds like fun to you, we’d love to invite you to apply!

Apply by June 15, 2025.