Feeding Kansas City: Black Youth and City Officials Team Up for the Hamer Free Food Initiative

In response to the startling closure of Sun Fresh, which left many Black and low-income residents of the Prospect corridor grappling with food shortages, Kansas City's Black community has mobilized vigorously. Over 60 volunteers participated in the inaugural Hamer Free Food Program Farm Days at the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association and Young Family Farm KC. Coordinated by The Defender’s Mutual Aid team, these efforts focus on nurturing knowledge in Black agriculture, food sovereignty, and essential skills such as planting and weeding, fostering a strong sense of community.This initiative, named after civil rights pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer, aims not only to address the immediate food crisis but also to establish a sustainable food infrastructure. Hamer Free Food Program emphasizes fair direct farming purchases, ensuring that Black growers receive competitive pay. Delivery prioritizes families within close proximity to 31st & Prospect, while youth organizers receive training to cultivate future Black agrarian leaders. The program, featuring partnerships with local farms and organizations, prepares to launch its first harvest and distribution later this month. Participants are encouraged to volunteer or contribute to this cause, reinforcing the community's resilience and unity.