Why food justice?

Food justice is simple: it is the idea that all of us deserve food.

Real food. Fresh, healthy and affordable food.

Because food has a powerful ability to impact our lives— and we believe the more access to better options families have, the stronger and more resilient our communities become.

While there is plenty of nourishing food to go around, many Kansas Citians live without access to it. And Kanbe’s knows that food insecurity disproportionately impacts low-income, people of color in our Kansas City community.

FOOD INSECURITY IS A HUMAN PROBLEM

We do not feed people. We empower them to make healthier choices.

400,000+ Kansas City residents live in food deserts. By improving food affordability, education, and access, we’re helping thousands of them nourish their bodies with fresh fruits and vegetables.

FOOD WASTE IS A FIXABLE PROBLEM

Food insecurity is a supply chain issue. We’re on a mission to change that.

A third of all food grown globally ends up in a landfill. By redirecting produce from gaps in local supply chains, we’re not just fighting for food justice—we’re creating a more sustainable future.

FOOD BRINGS  PEOPLE TOGETHER

Food is about more than survival. It’s about building community.

The sharing of food has always been part of the human story. We believe that the more access to better options families have, the stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive our communities will become.

Our Mission

Give access.

Kanbe’s Markets is a nonprofit organization providing access to fresh, affordable and healthy foods to people experiencing food insecurity.

By providing innovative food delivery systems that are more inclusive, enhance small businesses and empower individuals to make healthy choices, we step closer toward an equitable future of food.

Our story

Kanbe’s Markets began looking at the local food system in Kansas City, Missouri in 2016. The lack of grocery stores and limited transportation resources on the east side of the city’s racially-dividing line, Troost Avenue, has created a stark division of residents experiencing food insecurity.

After identifying the hundreds of locally owned convenience stores, gas stations and corner bodegas with deep ties in the community, the first Healthy Corner Store location began to sell fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables in 2018.

Today, Kanbe’s provides fresh food access for over 250,000 residents— and counting.

We do not feed people

Kanbe’s is working to change the way communities approach philanthropy. That begins with our own efforts to empower individuals to nourish their bodies with healthier choices.