Harvesting a Growing Economy

Consumers in Johnson County want to purchase locally-grown food products, yet we have a $177 million unmet demand for local food in our region. Johnson County is well positioned to support this rising demand by advancing our local food economy.

The Rising Demand for Local Food 

• In 2015, local food sales totaled $8.7 billion in the United States. This showed a twofold increase in local food sales from 2008.
• Data shows that farmers who sell into local markets are more likely to “survive” than other farming & ranching operators.
• Johnson County accounts for 27% of the unmet demand for local food in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The Benefits of Local Food

Economic Benefits

Buying locally-grown food keeps a greater proportion—25% more—of every food dollar in the local economy ($.65 vs $.40, respectively). This helps farmers grow their business, enables them to expand their employment of local farm laborers, and helps prevent the loss of agricultural land in Johnson and surrounding counties. 

Health Benefits

The amount of time between harvest and consumption of many fruits and vegetables affects its nutrient content and composition. When locally-grown food is consumed within a shorter harvest-to-consumption timeframe, it retains more of its nutritional value. Research also hows that buying local is correlated with a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Meeting the Need Through Local Agriculture

Labor shortages, land access, the age of farmers, and farm profitability are all challenges in our county.

Further Assessment is needed

Johnson County Food Policy Council will conduct a food policy audit of Johnson County policies at county government, city government and institutional levels that affect the production, sourcing, purchasing and consumption of local food.  Policy support ensures our agriculture land is profitable for farmers while still meeting local needs.

PREPARE what you can eat, SAVE what you don't!

Save the Food Johnson County - the Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) is teaming up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Ad Council to launch their national public service campaign SAVE THE FOOD that aims to combat wasted food from its largest source - consumers - by raising awareness and changing behavior.

The Benefits of Gardening at home:

HOME GARDENING benefits you and your family, our society and community, and our environment.

HOME GARDENS TAKE MANY FORMS come in an array of styles, types and sizes, and may be located anywhere from walls to roofs, patios and backyards. Important factors to consider when planning your home garden include sunlight, water, convenience (or nearness to home), air, drainage and soil.

Johnson County has potential to grow food in over 233,000 homes. 

Resources for Learning How to Grow at Home

• Garden with recommended fruit and vegetable varieties which have been proven to produce. Johnson County K-State Research and Extension has the practical information needed for success. Crop specific fact sheets, educational classes, and experts ready to answer your fruit and vegetable questions. Just contact the gardening hotline at garden.help@jocogov.org or 913-715-7050 or on the web at https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/.
• Learn to grow food in your garden or on a small farm at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) using sustainable practices. They offer individual classes as well as a certificate program, for more information visit, https://www.jccc.edu/ and search “sustainable agriculture”.
• Attend a free garden workshop at the Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG) or visit https://kccg.org/ for instructional materials on low cost gardening, composting, watering and more

Having clear and concise guidelines around gardening can help clear-up confusion and misconception among homeowners of HOA gardening restrictions

Recommendations for Gardening at Home

1. Ask your HOA for a copy of their by-laws and restrictions

   • Getting a copy of your HOA by-laws and restrictions is the first step in understanding what you are allowed to do in your yard. If your HOA does not provide you with access to their by-laws and restrictions, or if you need help creating by-laws, contact the FPC.

2. Understand your city’s gardening codes and ordinances

   • Codes and ordinances can be confusing or highly dependent upon your property, zoning and lot location/size. Call your city’s zoning department for the clearest guidelines that affect your personal land restrictions.
   • • Make sure you are gardening on your property. For example, if a piece of land on your property falls within an easement or utility line, it can be subject to disruption or removal

PREPARE what you can eat, SAVE what you don't!

Save the Food Johnson County - the Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) is teaming up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Ad Council to launch their national public service campaign SAVE THE FOOD that aims to combat wasted food from its largest source - consumers - by raising awareness and changing behavior. 

The Johnson County Food Policy Council serves an advisory body to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and other decision makers in Johnson County that review and recommend policies to strengthen the local food economy and improve access to healthy and nutritious food.

Vision:

The Vision of Johnson County Food Policy Council is to improve the health and well-being of citizens, communities and the environment of Johnson County.

Mission:

The mission of the Johnson County Food Policy Council is to improve the health and well-being of individuals, the community and our environment through a just, equitable and sustainable food system in Johnson County. Through policy recommendations, education and collaborations, we strive to increase access to healthful food that is locally produced when available.

• Johnson County Food Policy Council (JCFPC) will achieve its mission by:
• Creating a forum for discussion and coordination for community-wide efforts to improve the nutritional, environmental, economic and social health of Johnson County.
• Building the capacity of local food policy bodies to find common ground on policy priorities, generate public support for those policies, and educate residents and community leaders on issues in our food system.
• Developing strategies to effectively address food access, hunger, obesity, community development, economic development, urban agriculture, food waste, nutrition and food education.