We are looking for a partner who can imagine, design and execute a project to dramatically increase shared understanding, shared vision and shared momentum among key individuals in the government, non-profit and private sectors.  A lack of connection and understanding exists across sectors.  The key people in each of the sectors are often not on the same page with how they understand the issues, their contributions to the situation, and the necessity of the other sectors.

Specifically, we are looking for a partner who can use the grant to:

1. Identify a large group of Kansans working in the hunger and food space from each of the three sectors: government, non-profit and private sectors.
2. Imagine an innovative, inspiring and creative strategy to engage those Kansans (in whole or in cohorts) in meaningful ways that result in:
   • Shared understanding of each sectors’ challenges and opportunities related to hunger and food security in Kansas.
   • Shared vision about what could and should be done to end hunger and increase food security in Kansas.
   • Shared momentum among the participants to work together – ideally in concert with the overall Hunger Free Kansas initiative – to end hunger in Kansas.
3. Partner with Hunger Free Kansas throughout the project, sharing updates and learnings, and submit an overall final report about the project by 12 months after receiving the grant. The relationships and understanding that will be forged by this project are critical to the early success of the Hunger Free Kansas initiative.

We are looking for a partner who can help multiple school districts maximize state and federal funds to yield exponential impacts for children and their families.  Data highlights the significant connection between the education sector and food insecurity.  Schools are crucial stakeholders in the fight to end hunger in Kansas, and many school districts are not fully utilizing funding or programming available to them.

Specifically, we are looking for a partner who can use the grant to:

1. Increase the number of sites offering universal free meals to children.
2. Work with high need school districts to consider other publicly-funded, available options to increase food access. Opportunities might include: school breakfast program, summer food service program, or subsidizing reduced price meals.  Explore opportunities regarding interventions to maximize/expand these programs when applicable.
3. Provide tailored engagement with high need school districts on the topic of school-based nutrition programs. Engagement should prioritize facilitated trainings/workshops and listening sessions.
4. Work with school districts to examine policy changes and set targeted goals for policy adoption in relation to school-based nutrition programs (Ex. Community Eligibility Program application, removal of policy language that punishes children for having meal debt, etc.)
5. Partner with Hunger Free Kansas throughout the project, sharing updates and learnings detailing successful interventions and common barriers/challenges in accessing state and federal funds.

Accessing quality, healthy, fresh, affordable foods can be a challenge for many Kansans.  The recent pandemic illuminated the effects of supply chain disruption on food systems.  More consumers are recognizing the health benefits of locally sourced foods, but barriers exist linking local producers to consumers.  We are looking for a partner that can make significant progress advancing alternative economic markets for locally sourced, nutritious, affordable food. Partners in this category might be regional or statewide in scope.  However, partners who seek to impact geographic areas inside a metropolitan city (population +100,000) where residents live more than a half mile from affordable, nutritious foods are also eligible.

Specifically, we are looking for a partner who can use the grant to:

1. Identify gaps in an underserved region, large metropolitan area, or across the state in three areas of the local foods system: production, processing, and distribution.
2. Design infrastructure for alternative markets for local foods. Create an administrative system to provide local produce to one or more alternative markets (ex. healthcare settings, schools, food banks, or individual consumers)
3. Create a system that connects local growers to alternative market opportunities in an efficient way.
4. Account for access and affordability of fresh, nutritious foods in the model
5. Account for collaboration with existing resources that provide capital and technical assistance for grocery stores, co-ops, and farmers markets. Many of these existing resources can be found at Kansas Local Foods. Support exists for: food hubs/cooperatives, impact capital, commercial kitchens, and meat processing and storage lockers.  Existing resources should be combined with this funding opportunity if applicable.

The cost of everything – including food – is going up, and life is hard for many Kansans right now.  Navigating social services aimed at alleviating food insecurity can be challenging for Kansas families.  Many times, bureaucratic processes are a part of the barrier.  We are looking for a partner with regional or statewide scope who can improve coordination of services and streamline inefficiencies in social services access.

Specifically, we are looking for a partner who can use the grant to:

1. Enhance enrollment infrastructure and reduce inefficiencies.
2. Streamline processes between programs that reduce food insecurity.
3. Bolster data sharing and referral networks within state-level organizations and between programs that reduce food insecurity.
4. Suggest a plan for collaborating with government partners connected to social services.