Local Food Systems Are Facing an Existential Crisis

Restaurants and hospitality businesses are closing, some for good. At the same time, more people are confronting food insecurity right here in Kansas City.

A network of chefs, food industry partners and a community of growers working together to preserve the food system through a centralized approach to growing, processing and distributing food in a more sustainable and efficient manner.

A Chef Collective KC initiative to create a holistic, civic scale plan to meet our ever-expanding, ever-changing community food needs. Using a stable, safe and efficient model, The Project is supporting and standing up community kitchens in restaurants and available facilities across the city to provide meals for those who need them most.

1

Workforce Preservation

Employ restaurant teams who otherwise would not have work and help our community’s restaurants stay solvent during this difficult time.

2

Mass Production of Meals

Meet the needs of the food insecure community during the current crisis and position to continue meeting ongoing community food needs.

3

Food System Optimization

Gleaning the system - purchase food from regional growers and work with distributors and local food recovery partners to minimize regional food waste.

The Community Meals Project model sources food from a network of local and regional growers and food distributors. Both packaged and perishable items are brought to the centralized receiving, processing and distribution partner, Kanbe’s Market. The food, in various forms, is then sent to participating kitchens, prepared into meals and sent to distribution locations within the community.

Chef Collective KC - Community Meals Project model