The local food and farm task force prepares a local food and farm containing policy and funding recommendations for expanding and supporting local food systems. Assessing and overcoming obstacles necessary to increase locally grown food production is an objective for the task force. The task force chairperson submits a plan to the senate and house committees on agriculture and natural resources at the beginning of the 2017 regular session of the legislature. The plan includes:
- Identification of financial opportunities, technical support and training necessary for local and specialty crop production;
- Identification of strategies and funding needs to make fresh and affordable locally grown foods more accessible;
- Identification of factors affecting affordability and profitability of locally grown foods;
- Identification of existing local food infrastructures for processing, storing and distributing food and recommendations for potential expansion; and
- Strategies for encouragement of farmers' markets, roadside markets and local grocery stores in unserved and underserved areas.
2017 Local Food and Farm Task Force Report to the Kansas Legislature
2016 Local Food and Farm Task Force Report to the Kansas Legislature