Join us for a panel conversation about food insecurity in Kansas City.

Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Unity Temple on the Plaza
707 W 47th Street
Kansas City, MO 64112

This a FREE event, but RSVP’s are required. 

What is Food 4 Thought?

Harvesters’ Food 4 Thought is a series of conversations about hunger in our community. At this event, discover the unique ways several organizations in Kansas City are fighting hunger and why each plays a vital role in addressing the issue.

Reducing food insecurity requires a multifaceted approach that combines immediate relief with long-term solutions. By understanding the causes and effects, and by taking proactive steps, we can work together to reduce hunger and build a healthier, more equitable community. 

Opening Remarks
Mayor Quinton Lucas

Born and raised in Kansas City’s East Side communities, Mayor Quinton Lucas has served as the 55th mayor of Kansas City since 2019. Known as “Mayor Q” by many, Lucas volunteers extensively with area schools, churches, and organizations. Mayor Lucas is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and obtained a law degree from Cornell University. Prior to serving as mayor, he represented the City’s Third District At-Large on the City Council where he led on issues such as the new airport terminal, economic development, and public safety.

Event Emcee
Laura Ziegler

Laura Ziegler is the Community Engagement and Solutions Journalism editor and reporter for KCUR, NPR in Kansas City. Prior to her current position at KCUR, she was the producer of KCUR’s remote, town-hall talk show, “Under the Clock,” hosted by former mayor Emanual Cleaver. Before that, she was in Washington D.C., as a producer for NPR’s Weekend Edition with Scott Simon, as well as a national reporter covering the Midwest for NPR. Among Laura’s greatest passions is convening conversations, listening to people and serving under resourced communities.

Shanita McAfee-Bryant
Executive Director & Founder
of The Prospect KC​

Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant is revolutionizing the fight against food insecurity in Kansas City by addressing the root causes of hunger. In 2019, McAfee-Bryant founded The Prospect KC, a ground-breaking social enterprise focused on change by empowering lives, disrupting poverty, and cultivating community. Programming includes a 16-week culinary job training program, along with initiatives promoting food access and nutrition education. In August 2024, The Prospect KC announced a transformative partnership with NourishKC. The alliance, with McAfee-Bryant as executive director, unites a proven track record in culinary workforce development and educational programs with food rescue and distribution to create a more comprehensive approach to tackling food insecurity. As part of the merger, The Spot, a live training environment and The Prospect KC moved into the NourishKC Community Kitchen. The coffee bar and cafe functions re-opened as The Nook inside the Central Library, a collaboration with the Kansas City Public Library. McAfee-Bryant received her culinary training at Johnson Community College. She is a board member of Harvesters, the Greater KC Food Policy Coalition, and Lazarus Ministries KC. For her innovative work with The Prospect KC, McAfee-Bryant was honored with the Urban Hero Award 2023, a lifetime achievement award presented annually by the Downtown Council.

Stephen Davis
President and CEO of
Harvesters

Stephen Davis has served as Harvesters President and CEO since 2022. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for seven years. Prior to Harvesters, he worked nearly 11 years with the Blue Valley Unified School District in Overland Park, Kansas as the Director of Budget and Business Operations. Earlier, Stephen served more than eight years in the school food service industry as Director of Food and Nutrition Services and then later as Area Manager for Sodexho Management Services at facilities in Oregon, Nevada and California. Stephen earned his MBA at Mid-America Nazarene University and a bachelor’s degree in food science and human nutrition from Washington State University. Stephen has served on many Feeding America national network committees. Stephen is a Board Member of Feeding Missouri and serves as a CEO leader in the Mountain Plains Feeding America Region Committee. His community involvement includes time as a board member and board president of the Blue Valley Industrial Association and a board member for the Kansas City Industrial Council. He has also served on other community nonprofit boards in the Kansas City region and other ad hoc advisory groups within the region.

Ross Dessert
President of Uplift Organization, Inc.

Ross Dessert joined Uplift Organization as a driver in 2013 and has served as President since 2020. Uplift is a grassroots volunteer-led organization in Kansas City that takes care and compassion to the homeless, delivering hot meals, clothing, and other essentials to over 1,000 individuals weekly through its mobile outreach. With over 1,800 active volunteers and over 200 partnerships from corporations, schools, faith groups, and civic clubs, Uplift harnesses community power to make a tangible difference while emphasizing sustainability through recycling and minimizing landfill waste. Ross leverages his background in education, coaching, and business development to empower individuals to confront homelessness and food insecurity through face to face, empathetic interactions on the streets. Holding an Executive Master’s in Nonprofit
Administration from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, he is dedicated to building a more just and equitable society where every person can flourish.

Max Kaniger
Founder and CEO of
Kanbe’s Markets

Maxfield Kaniger is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through his work at Kanbe’s Markets, a Kansas City nonprofit focused on making fresh produce accessible to underserved communities. Through initiatives like Healthy Corner Stores, food rescue efforts, and prescriptive food programs, Kanbe’s Markets has grown steadily, supporting local neighborhoods and working with healthcare providers to integrate food as part of holistic care. Maxfield is passionate about creating meaningful, long-term change by fostering collaboration and efficiency within the nonprofit sector, welcoming other organizations into Kanbe’s shared warehouse space to increase collective impact.

Erin Martinez
Chief Executive Officer of
Food Equality Initiative

Beginning with a background in elementary education, Erin became impassioned by Food
Equality Initiative’s mission when her children were diagnosed with a dairy allergy and celiac
disease. Desiring to learn more about nutrition to help meet the needs of her family, Erin pursued
and completed a Master’s of Science in Holistic Nutrition. Previously, Erin served as the
Director of Operations for FEI before assuming the role of CEO.

Tamara Weber
Founder and Executive Director of Pete’s Garden

Tamara is a business professional with over 25 years of experience developing  and executing business growth strategies. She left a successful career at Hallmark to launch Pete’s Garden after learning about the global food waste problem and the gaps in Kansas City’s approach to solving this growing environmental and social concern.  Prior to Hallmark, Tamara worked as a strategy consultant with the Boston Consulting Group in their Chicago office. She has an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and an economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania.