Northeast Region Projects
Below is a list of funded projects in the northeast region.
Community: Axtell, KS
County: Marshall
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: December 2022
Funding Type: Loan/grant mix
Website: https://www.axtellcommunitygrocery.com/
Community: Blue Rapids, KS
County: Marshall
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: October 2019; January 2020
Funding Type: Grant; T.A. grant
Website: https://riversidemarketandflowers.com/
The City of Blue Rapids is proposing a city-owned grocery store that they will lease to a local operator. The operator currently owns and operates a 25-greenhouse florist shop. Sales at the florist shop have been expanded to include produce to serve the community since the closure of the local grocery store in 2018. The grant dollars from KHFI were used to support startup costs including equipment, inventory and lease costs. In October 2020, Riverside Market opened.
Community: Emporia, KS
County: Lyon
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: May 2024
Funding Type: Loan/grant mi
Bob's Super-Saver operates two full-service grocery stores. The company will use KHFI funds to acquire the buildings, helping ensure the viability of the stores and creating flexibility for potential future renovations or expansions.
Community: Eskridge, KS
County: Wabaunsee
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: September 2024
Funding Type: Loan/grant mi
Eskridge Market is a small, community-driven store. KHFI funds will be used to purchase a new freezer and update wiring, helping to ensure continued healthy food access for residents.
Community: Greenleaf, KS
County: Washington
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: October 2022
Funding Type: Grant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/cromesaff/
Greenleaf General Store is located in Northeast Kansas. The Greenleaf Community had to travel over 30 miles to the nearest grocery store. KHFI Funding went towards the purchase of the grocery store in Greenleaf. This filled the need of the community by purchasing the store, and also expanding ethnic food sections and fresh food services.
Community: Kansas City, KS
County: Wyandotte
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: May 2023
Funding Type: Grant
Website: https://www.northeastkck.org/
Community: Centralia, KS
County: Nemaha
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: December 2021
Funding Type: Grant
Website: https://www.haverkampgrocery.com/
Haverkamp Grocery is located in Northeast Kansas. The business was looking to upgrade their outdated point of sale system to stay in compliance with credit card and SNAP/EBT card reader compliance. The owner was looking to retire in the next few years, therefore, they were trying to keep the store as up to date as possible for the next buyer and to continue to best serve their customers. The grant funding from KHFI was used to upgrade the point of sale system.
Community: Auburn, KS
County: Shawnee
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: March 2022
Funding Type: Grant
Website: https://www.hiddenhillfarms.com/
Hidden Hill Farms is located in the Northeast region of Kansas. Burlingame, along with Dover and East Topeka were considered to be low resource by healthy food retail. The creation of the mobile market started to deliver fresh, locally grown produce from Hidden Hill’s Farm on a regular basis by converting a trailer or small bus into a retail space with refrigeration, coolers, bins, and a checkout counter. Grant funding was requested to assist funding a wash and pack station and mobile market.
Community: Lawrence, KS
County: Douglas
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: October 2021
Funding Type: T.A. grant
Website: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/kcaic/
In 2019, through a grant funded by the Kansas Alliance for Wellness, the Douglas County Food Policy Council worked with the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas to interview 6 ethnic food retail store owners and regular clientele. A report and accompanying video document the value these stores bring to the community and food system, and the challenges faced by these small business owners. The Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability staff used the resulting study to introduce the stories of these retailers to the KS Department of Commerce and Kansas Creative Art Industries Commission (KCAIC), which was interested in exploring the intersections of public art and economic development to support Kansas businesses. This has resulted in a pilot project between KCAIC and five Lawrence-based ethnic food retailers, which will include a convening of the retailers to provide tailored marketing and small business support. If this program is a success, the KCAIC intends to replicate it in other Kansas communities. Grant funding was used to convene ethnic food retailers to provide tailored marketing and small business support.
Community: Kansas City, KS
County: Wyandotte
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: November 2018
Funding Type: Grant
Website: http://www.kckfarmersmarket.org/
"The KCK Farmers’ Market operates three weekly farmers’ markets from June to October in Wyandotte County and Kansas City. Each farmers’ market is comprised of producers and growers that are based in Wyandotte County. The markets are co-located at community centers like schools and religious institutions. KCK Farmers’ Market received a grant from the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative to facilitate the strategic development of business and marketing plans and the purchase of equipment in 2018. The market projects a 10% increase in sales from these improvements.
“Healthy food makes our neighbors strong.”
– KCK Greenmarket"
Community: Lawrence, KS
County: Douglas
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: November 2021
Funding Type: Grant
Website: http://mediterraneancafelw.com/
The Mediterranean Market had a car crash into their store. Many customers thought that the store is closed while repairs are taking place. There also was feedback from customers said that they could not read the old sign when driving by. The store was looking to purchase a new, permanent sign to replace the old one, that would be bigger, brighter and easier to read. The store also added another cooler so they could stock more produce and other international items. Grant funding for this applicant was used for the new signage and the cooler purchase.
Community: Auburn, KS
County: Shawnee
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: November 2021
Funding Type: Loan/grant mix
Website: https://www.facebook.com/mhcreamery/
Milk and Honey Creamery started a goat dairy to sell at the Topeka Downtown Farmers’ Market. To be able to sell dairy products (specifically fluid milk and cheese products) a Grade A Certification is required. In order to get this certification, they had to complete some infrastructure upgrades. The grant funding was used for these infrasturce upgrades.
Community: Cassoday; Matfield Green; Burns, KS
County: Butler; Chase; Marion
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: April 2021
Funding Type: Grant
Website: https://rommeyfarms.com/
Rommey Farms Mobile Market plans to launch a mobile market that serves 3 rural towns by providing access to fresh, local produce and supports local businesses by sourcing from local farms. Grant funding provided was used to lease outdoor walk-in cooler to store produce for farm stand and delivery routes.
Community: Topeka, KS
County: Shawnee
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: December 2018
Funding Type: Loan/grant mix
Website: https://www.supermarteltorito.com/
Supermart El Torito opened in North Topeka in 2018 with a full line of authentic Hispanic goods including produce, fresh meat, and bakery items. This store supplies an underserved market segment in the Topeka area of goods and foods specific to the Hispanic population. Though this store is located near larger food retailers, this store increases accessibility to affordable, healthy and traditional products that aren’t readily available in the community. El Torito restaurant is attached to the grocery store, providing community members a way to experience foods prepared from the fresh ingredients stocked in the store. The project received a loan and a grant from the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative. These funds helped the store complete construction, purchase inventory and open its doors. The store provides quality employment opportunities and access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods for the North Topeka area.
Community: Kansas City, KS
County: Wyandotte
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Urban
Date Funded: October 2019
Funding Type: Grant
Website: https://www.themerc.coop/
The Merc Co+Op is constructing a new grocery store in Kansas City, Kansas. Based on 30 years of experience at their Lawrence store, the Merc requested and recieved grant funding to support the cost of an outreach coordinator position for one year. This funding allowed the store to begin their outreach to the community prior to opening the store.
Community: Wathena, KS
County: Doniphan
Region: Northeast
Geographical context: Rural
Date Funded: February 2020
Funding Type: T.A. grant
The project includes purchase of an existing grocery store, upgrades, and renovation of the facility. Funds are needed for equipment and fixtures, working capital, capital improvements, and renovation of the existing facility. A technical assistance grant was awarded by KHFI to support the completion of a market study.