Kansas State Food Business Support Continues

Food Systems Entrepreneurial Team Funding

Quinlan C. , Food Systems Entrepreneurial Resource Navigator

K-State Food Business Support Continues K-State Research and Extension Local Food Systems

In my September quarterly update, I shared what I thought might be a farewell as the Heartland Regional Food Business Center came to a close. I’m pleased to report that circumstances have changed: new funding has been secured to support the continuation of K-State’s local food business work, and I will be able to remain in my role, housed here at the

Douglas County Extension office while continuing to serve the entire state. I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep supporting Kansas food and farm-based entrepreneurs, and I look forward to the work ahead.As Food Business Resource Navigators, my team and I will continue providing technical assistance to individuals and businesses navigating the complexities of starting or expanding a food enterprise. This includes questions related to licensing and regulation, product development, commercial kitchen access, and funding opportunities—topics that consistently arise from new and existing entrepreneurs across Kansas.

Several key partnerships that proved valuable during the Heartland Regional Food Business Center will also continue. Through our collaboration with the Kansas Value-Added Foods Lab, clients will still have access to a certain number of product tests at no cost to them, a significant resource for those refining recipes or preparing products for commercial sale. We are also maintaining our partnership with the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s From the Land of Kansas program, which will provide our clients with no-cost access to a defined amount of digital marketing support. Stay tuned for more resources we will be able to announce in the near future.

Looking ahead, our team is in the early planning stages for another Food Business Start-Up Summit in 2026. More details will be shared in the coming months as programming develops. Additionally, we look forward to supporting the K-State Local Food Team’s series of six regional Local Producer Workshops taking place across the state this spring. For residents of Douglas County, the closest workshop will be held at K-State Olathe on February 6, and we encourage interested producers to consider registering.

Although the administrative landscape has shifted, our commitment to accessible, practical support for Kansas food businesses remains consistent. If you or someone you know is exploring a new food business idea or attempting to navigate next steps in an existing operation, please feel welcome to reach out. We remain available to assist with questions such as: Where do I begin? What regulations apply to my product? Where or how can I access a commercial kitchen? What resources exist to support marketing or scaling a business?

You can contact us at heartlandrfbc@ksu.edu. I appreciate the ongoing support from the Douglas County community and look forward to continuing this work in the year ahead!

This article is from the 2025 K-State Extension Douglas County Winter Newsletter publication.