The United Way

by Dalton Black, executive director

It’s been almost eight years since Hesston lost its grocery store. For a lot of families, that’s meant longer drives, fewer options, and a harder time putting fresh food on the table. For seniors and folks without reliable transportation, it’s meant something closer to a daily problem.

That’s about to change. Or at least, we’re taking the first real step toward changing it.

We’re excited to share that the Healthy Harvey Coalition, which United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties facilitates, has been awarded a Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grant through the Kansas Healthy Foods Initiative. The grant funds a feasibility study on bringing a fresh food market to Hesston.

What the Study Will Actually Do

A feasibility study might sound like a lot of meetings and spreadsheets, and sure, there will be some of that. But what it really does is answer the big questions before anyone breaks ground or signs a lease. Is there enough demand? What kind of space makes sense? Where should it go? How would it operate sustainably? Who would it serve, and how?

Those answers matter. Communities across rural Kansas have watched well-intentioned food projects struggle because the planning phase got skipped. We’re determined to do this right.

Connecting Local Growers to Local Tables

Here’s what makes us especially optimistic about this project: Hesston already has momentum.

The Hesston Farmers Market launched last year and has drawn real community support. People are showing up. Growers are showing up. The appetite for locally sourced food in this part of Harvey County isn’t a theory, it’s happening every weekend the market is open.

Part of what the study will explore is how a fresh food market could build on that energy. What would it look like to create a direct pipeline from area farms to community tables? Could the space also serve as an indoor farmers market, giving local vendors a place to sell year-round and residents a consistent spot to buy fresh produce even in January?

These aren’t just logistical questions. They’re questions about what kind of food economy we want in Harvey County. One that supports the farmers and producers who already live here, and one that makes it easier, not harder, for families to eat well.

Why This Matters

The data tells part of the story. In Harvey County, 18% of children are food insecure. Among Latino residents, that number rises to 24%. When a community loses its grocery store, those numbers tend to get worse, not better.

But data only goes so far. What we hear from residents, from partners, from the coalition members who’ve been working on this for years, is that food access is about more than calories. It’s about dignity. It’s about whether a grandparent can pick up ingredients for Sunday dinner without coordinating a ride. It’s about whether a young family can make healthy choices without driving half an hour each way.

A fresh food market in Hesston, done well, is a step toward all of that.

What Happens Next

Over the coming months, the coalition and our partners will dig into the research, talk with residents and growers, evaluate potential sites, and put together a clear picture of what a sustainable fresh food market in Hesston could look like. We’ll share what we learn along the way.

If you’re a Hesston resident, a local grower, a business owner, or someone who just cares about this community, we want to hear from you. Your voice shapes what comes next.

To learn more about the Healthy Harvey Coalition or to get involved, visit uwhmc.org or reach out to our team.

This project is separate from and complementary to the ongoing effort currently happening to bring a permanent grocery store to Hesston. The Healthy Harvey Coalition’s feasibility study focuses specifically on a fresh food market model that would support local producers and expand access to healthy food options. The two efforts can strengthen one another, and UWHMC looks forward to continued collaboration across all partners working to improve food access in the community.