Executive Summary

KCHK serves Kansas and Missouri, primarily focusing on the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and the surrounding nine counties. The area is vibrant and diverse, with nearly 2 million residents. KCHK leadership resides within and near the communities it serves, with a board that is predominantly female (88%), including a significant percentage of racial or ethnic minorities (38%).

KCHK has strong ties to the communities it serves because of its 17 years of experience building relationships with community stakeholders including school officials, health officials, farmers, nonprofit organizations, elected officials and children and their families. KCHK leverages these relationships to build strategic partnerships that lift the voices of residents in low income, racially and ethnically diverse communities.

To address challenges experienced by vulnerable communities like limited access to nutritious food, physical inactivity, and childhood trauma, KCHK employs strategies such as advocating for policies, securing funding for children's health initiatives, engaging children in advocacy, providing education and training, and promoting access to fresh local produce.

A notable example is the food policy coalition, which advocates for policy changes to improve food affordability and accessibility. KCHKs efforts led to a seven-year campaign for a Kansas food sales tax cut, reducing it from 6.5% to 4% this year, with plans for further reductions to 0% by 2025. KCHK also supports neighborhood associations through grant funding, empowering initiatives like community organizers, edible gardens, and technical assistance. KCHK engages civic groups through volunteer activities at events such as the Local Food Expo and Champions for Health.

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