2025-2026 Signature Mission: Kanbe’s Markets

The Mission Committee of Village Presbyterian Church is thrilled to announce that Kanbe’s Markets is the recipient of our 2025-2026 Signature Mission Grant!

Kanbe’s Markets is a phenomenal organization for so many reasons. Their vision and mission reduces food waste, supports local small businesses, and brings healthy food to those in need. How do they accomplish this? Kanbe’s takes in fresh fruit and vegetables considered “distressed” by wholesalers and large chains that would otherwise be thrown out. Volunteers then sort all the produce (this year they are on track for 1.5 million pounds—enough to fill Arrowhead Stadium more than 6 feet deep!) and divert it to one of four places:

• Kanbe’s Markets Healthy Corner Stores
• local food banks and food pantries—one of which is our own Village Food Pantry
• local farm and animal sanctuaries
• composting through KC Can Compost (another one of Village Church’s partners)

So, what is Kanbe’s Markets?

Many areas of Kansas City are in what is known as a ‘food desert.’ These are areas where more than a third of the local population has limited access (due to distance) to a grocery store that sells healthy food options. Kanbe’s partners with local, small businesses to keep a small refrigerator and basket stand in their shop for fresh fruits and veggies. Kanbe’s maintains the fridge and stocks it each day, and 30% of the profits go to the owner of the shop.

And, because so much of the food is donated, shops can keep prices affordable. This is their flagship program known as Healthy Corner Stores. They have operated markets in Missouri for a number of years and are about to expand their mission into Wyandotte County in the coming months. The Mission Committee of Village Church reviewed their application and voted to give them a grant of $80,000. The nonprofit plans to use these funds to expand quickly into Wyandotte neighborhoods—opening 25-30 new corner store locations. We are so excited to share in this vision and mission with Kanbe’s Markets!

Volunteering

Volunteering is a hands-on way to make a difference in food access and sustainability. Kanbe‘s Markets offers a wide range of weekly opportunities at their warehouse and office to fit different skill levels and interests. You can sort, pack, and distribute fresh produce or support administrative projects, outreach efforts, and behind-the-scenes tasks that keep their mission moving forward. There are opportunities for a one-time service day, a regular routine, or a community event for your office or group. All are welcome to be part of a food-secure future! Learn more about volunteering.

What Village volunteers are saying:

• “Kanbe’s Markets‘ mission to divert nutritious produce from landfills to our food deserts is crucial to resolving food insecurity in Kansas City. Shawnee Mission School District’s Broadmoor Urban Farm sends thousands of pounds of produce to Kanbe’s and Urban Produce Push each year.” –Ryan Flurry
• “Kanbe’s takes fresh veggies and fruit that would otherwise be thrown away and distributes it to markets in underserved areas, food pantries, animal shelters, or composts it. Nothing is wasted. The operation is very organized, the staff is helpful and, as volunteers, we worked hands-on making this happen.” -Cindy Henderson