Sep 17, 2026
By Border Queen Harvest Hub
Recently, Shelly Rich of the Sedgwick County Harvest Hub and I had the privilege of presenting at the 2026 Urban Food Systems Symposium (UFSS) in Kansas City, Missouri.
Held September 14–17 under the theme “Cultivating Communities, Cities, and Food Systems,” UFSS brought together people from across the country and beyond who are working to strengthen local and regional food systems. The audience included researchers, Extension professionals, nonprofit leaders, farmers, government officials, and community organizations.
We were honored to share a little of the Kansas food hub story—from the conception of Shop Kansas Farms to the growth of food hubs across our state and the ways these efforts are helping connect producers, processors, distributors, and consumers.
For us, this work is about much more than creating another place to find food.
It is about building the connections and infrastructure that help local food move through our communities.
Kansas is an agricultural state. We have incredible farmers, ranchers, bakers, makers, processors, and food entrepreneurs. We also have consumers who want access to that food. The challenge is often creating the connections between them.
That is where food hubs can play an important role.
Through Border Queen Harvest Hub and Sedgwick County Harvest Hub, we are exploring ways that technology, relationships, community partnerships, and local infrastructure can help strengthen those connections—while creating opportunities for producers and supporting the communities where they live and work.
Being able to share what we are learning with a national audience was an incredible opportunity. Just as importantly, we came home with new ideas, new connections, and a deeper appreciation for the many people across the country who are working toward stronger and more resilient food systems.
We are grateful to have been part of the conversation.
Kansas has always grown food. Now we are working together to strengthen the connections that help that food stay in our communities.