Sun Fresh closure left a hole in KC’s grocery scene. Black farmers are filling it
The shuttering of the Sun Fresh at 31st and Prospect leaves a hole in Kansas City’s food infrastructure. But local activists say Black farmers can help close the gap.
This week, a group of Black-centric Kansas City nonprofits and farms launched the Hamer Free Food Program, which aims to distribute produce grown by Black farmers to East Side residents.
“At the end of the day, remove the politics, remove all of the stuff that’s going on, people need to eat,” said Dina Newman, founder of Kansas City Black Urban Growers, who is helping to coordinate the program.
“And we have Black farmers and growers here in Kansas City who are able to rise to the occasion.”
In the first phase of the project, the coalition will buy two rounds of produce from five area Black-owned farms.
The eight-pound boxes of fruits and vegetables will be distributed to 50 households within a mile radius of the former Sun Fresh. The first box will go out in September and the second one in October.
Kansas City Black Urban Growers, along with The Kansas City Defender and the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, are running the Hamer Free Food Program, named after Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black activist.
The first rounds of boxes will be funded by recent donations and leftover money from previous Defender mutual aid efforts, said Ryan Sorrell, founder of The Kansas City Defender.
The organizations have identified approximately 12 of those households and will go door to door to find more recipients, especially Black seniors and people with disabilities, said Sorrell.
The closure of the East Side grocery store comes as the Trump administration’s budget slashes money for food programs. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is expected to lose billions, increasing pressure on local social services providers like Harvesters and Bishop Sullivan Center.
In February, the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council lost a $165,000 farm grant in February because of federal DEI crackdowns.
Against this backdrop, organizers say they have seen a positive response to the free food program, leaving Newman “pleasantly surprised.”
“My phone has been blowing up,” she said.
While the five farmers initially agreed to sell their produce at a loss, an influx of donations this week now means the coalition can pay the growers market rate for their crop.
Newman and Sorrell want the project to grow past the first phase and continue into 2026. They both said they hope the Hamer Free Food Program will help introduce Kansas Citians to local Black farmers.
Newman is working on a directory of Black farmers, so residents all over the metro know where to look for local produce. “There are more than you think,” she said.
Newman said she has heard some people say that the project is just a Band-Aid on a bigger problem. “Well okay, alright. As long as people get fed, let’s figure out how we can keep this going.”
How can I get involved in the Hamer Free Food Program?
On this Google Form, you can donate, sign up to volunteer or request a box from the Hamer Free Food Program.
What Black farms are participating?
These five farms committed to providing produce for the first phase of the Hamer Free Food Program.
Where can I buy groceries on Kansas City’s East Side?
While the Sun Fresh at 31st and Prospect is now closed, there are other food options in the area.
Aldi is located at the intersection of 39th and Prospect, a four minute drive south of the former store. And Happy Food Center is a four minute drive to the east.
In addition, Kanbe’s Markets stock produce in corner stores and gas stations across Kansas City. There are nine Kanbe’s Market locations in the 64128 zip code.
This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM.
