June 6, 2025 | By Claire Sinovic
We’re thrilled to introduce you to The Food Circle, a new nonprofit organization founded in January 2025 by Claire Sinovic (me) and Rachael McGinnis Millsap, a.k.a your Co-Executive Directors!
We’re on a mission to strengthen our regional food system through education, collaboration, and advocacy. We work to empower both consumers and institutions to make informed decisions about local food, and we support farmers in building strong, economically responsible businesses. At the heart of everything we do is the goal of creating a healthy demand for and access to locally grown food.
Our Roots: KC Food Circle
The cornerstone of our work is the KC Food Circle (KCFC), a beloved Kansas City program originally founded in 1988. Now a flagship program under The Food Circle, KCFC is a membership-based network of farmers, local food businesses, and community partners, all operating within a 120-mile radius of the Kansas City metro area.
Our farmer members pledge to uphold environmental and humane standards for growing plants and mushrooms, beekeeping, and raising animals. Our business members are committed to sourcing locally, keeping dollars circulating in our regional economy and strengthening community ties.
Over the decades, KCFC has succeeded thanks to the dedication of food producers, advocates, and local food champions. We’re proud to be building on their legacy, with some of those very same folks still active in the movement today!
Why The Food Circle?
While our foundation is rooted in supporting farmers and local food businesses, our community has identified an urgent need to educate and engage consumers. We’re here to connect the dots by helping individuals understand why local food matters, and how they can make informed choices that benefit farmers, the economy, the environment, and the health of their families and communities.
Bringing KCFC in as a program under The Food Circle has allowed for continued engagement with KCFC members through fostering long-time trusted relationships between growers, buyers and institutions and building new partnerships for continued growth.
Early Impact
Though The Food Circle is newly formed, our community impact is already being felt:
- Connected with 81 farmers, 10 local food businesses, and 17 farmers markets across Kansas and Missouri
- Hosted three online KCFC member convenings to foster community, share resources, and align priorities
- Facilitated introductions to eight market opportunities for our member farmers
- Reached over 7,000 individuals through social media and digital engagement
- Co-organized the Missouri Food & Farm Advocacy Day in Jefferson City, MO, mobilizing stakeholders to advocate for policies that support local agriculture
We’re energized by this early momentum and deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey so far.
Whether you’re a farmer, food lover, business owner, or advocate, there’s a place for you in The Food Circle.
Welcome! Let’s grow something meaningful together!
Follow our journey and get involved:
Website: www.thefoodcircle.org | Instagram: @the.food.circle | Facebook: The Food Circle