Sunflower Foundation

09/03/2026

Dr. Susan Harvey, co-author of a recently published peer-reviewed article that highlights the innovative work of health clinics participating in Sunflower Foundation's Kansas Food is Medicine Initiative (KFIMI), recently had an opportunity to speak about the article and lessons learned from her work with the clinics during a fireside chat at the National Association of Community Health Centers 2026 CHI – Community Health Conference in Las Vegas, Nev.

The article, “Lessons from the Fields of Kansas: Food is Medicine Implementation in a Predominantly Rural State,” details the implementation approaches used, challenges faced, and problem-solving strategies developed by each of the KFIMI clinics. Dr. Harvey is an associate professor in the KU Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at The University of Kansas and a member of Sunflower’s KFIMI Evaluation and Advisory Team.

The fireside chat served as a celebration of the release of 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, a new special issue of 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥, published by Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with Meharry Medical College. The KFIMI article was featured in the issue.

During the discussion, Dr. Harvey spoke about the growing role of Food is Medicine and some of the unique challenges rural health clinics face when implementing the approach.

Dr. Harvey's fellow co-authors include: Marianna Wetherill, professor of health promotion sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Kristina Bridges, assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Sunflower Foundation staff members Elizabeth Burger (senior vice president of programs and strategy) and Carlie Houchen (director of Health Systems).

Read the full article: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/994071/pdf

09/03/2026

We’re thrilled that Marianna Wetherill, PhD, MPH, RDN, a Food is Medicine (FIM) expert and member of the Evaluation Advisory Team (EAT) for Sunflower Foundation’s Kansas Food is Medicine Initiative (KFIMI), had the opportunity to visit recently with Jennifer Ifft on the Smoke & Mirrors: Ag Policy Unfiltered podcast. They talked about the growing FIM movement, particularly the momentum behind KFIMI and what FIM looks like in rural communities across Kansas.

Click below to listen to the episode. 🎧

In this episode of Smoke & Mirrors, Jennifer Ifft talks with Marianna Wetherill to make sense of the growing Food is Medicine movement, which seeks to connects agriculture and healthcare, and what those connections look like in rural communities.​

Drawing on her experience teaching and practicing culinary medicine, Marianna discusses how nutrition science and hands-on cooking education are being integrated into healthcare, the unique barriers rural communities face in accessing nutritious food, and the role federal programs like WIC and SNAP play in food access. She also shares how social media, AI, and community resources like libraries are helping scale these efforts in places traditional programs often miss.​

Food is medicine is generating a lot of optimism and excitement. This conversation looks at what we know works, where the evidence is strongest, and what we are still learning.

Listen now: https://youtu.be/CfVJgWTyU9M

08/31/2026

Sunflower Foundation is seeking a technically strong, detail-oriented, and analytical accountant who can independently manage a variety of complex accounting responsibilities, exercise sound financial judgment, and work collaboratively with team members across the organization. This is a full-time, on-site position.

The person in this role will serve as a trusted partner to the chief financial officer in accounting, grant oversight, compliance, and the continuous improvement of financial systems and processes.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, an ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines, and excellent communication skills. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting experience and strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are required. Knowledge of federal grant requirements preferred.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply:

Company: Sunflower Foundation Job Title: Senior Accountant  Job Classification: Exempt; Full-Time Work Schedule: As agreed and approved upon between employee and supervisor in accordance to norma

08/31/2026

The Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board is accepting applications for the KFA Responsive Grant Program (RGP), starting Aug. 31, after lifting a temporary pause of the funding opportunity during which the board assessed the program, clarified its intent, and refined eligibility criteria.

The RGP is a rapid response grant opportunity that provides one-time funding to address short-term, immediate, and time-sensitive needs that benefit the substance use disorder (SUD) system at the local or state level.

Click below to learn more about the RGP funding:

The Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board is accepting applications for the KFA Responsive Grant Program, starting Aug. 31.

08/31/2026

This insightful article by Ashley Brunhoeber in the Kansas Leadership Center Journal highlights some of the Food is Medicine success stories happening at AmberMed Clinic in Hoxie and Genesis Family Health in Dodge City, two of the clinics participating in our Kansas Food is Medicine Initiative (KFIMI) pilot program.

KFIMI, with its focus on helping people better manage chronic conditions through food-based nutritional intervention, education and healthcare integration, is starting to make a difference in improving the health of Kansans.

Sunflower Foundation will continue to support work that advances and scales up Food is Medicine across Kansas, with the hope that more people, communities and local food systems can benefit.


Hunger Free Kansas
Heartland Community Health Center
HealthCore Clinic
Health Ministries Clinic, Inc.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Traditional care models tend to fight disease. Food is Medicine aims to intervene earlier, addressing diet as a root cause.

08/28/2026

We are excited to be a part of this important work to help advance Food is Medicine in Kansas!

08/25/2026

We’re grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the 2026 Tribal Health Summit, held Aug. 17 and 18 at Prairie Band Casino & Resort, and to have served on the event planning committee alongside the Kansas Alliance for Tribal Community Health.

Sunflower team members Elizabeth Burger and Kelli Mark joined Tribal leaders, community members, and partners of the four sovereign Tribal nations in Kansas at the two-day event, which aimed to strengthen partnerships, elevate Tribal priorities, and collaborate on strategies to improve the health and well-being of Native communities.

Sunflower Foundation is deeply committed to building meaningful partnerships, showing up, listening, and supporting Tribal communities. We’re honored to be part of this important work and thankful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate.

08/24/2026

Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC), an organization with a mission to protect all Kansans from vaccine preventable diseases, recently held its annual meeting at the Sunflower Nonprofit Center.

We caught up with Karen Braman, immediate past board chair for IKC. She spoke with us about the organization’s mission and goals, the importance of disseminating science-based educational information on vaccines, and the need to spread awareness of the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages during this month’s National Immunization Awareness Month observance.

Click below to watch our interview with Karen.

The foundation is proud to highlight organizations that choose our campus as a hub for convening and developing forward-thinking solutions that contribute to a healthier future for Kansas. Those solutions start here, at the Sunflower Nonprofit Center!

Learn more about IKC and its work: https://www.immunizekansascoalition.org

08/22/2026

A new chapter begins at Lehigh Portland State Park! 🌿

This last week we joined community members, partners and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate the park’s grand opening in Iola.

From its striking limestone cliffs and clear water to its trails and diverse wildlife habitat, this remarkable property offers Kansans a new place to explore, connect with nature and make lasting memories.

Thank you to everyone whose vision, collaboration and hard work helped make this milestone possible, and to all who joined us for the celebration!

Learn more and plan your visit: https://ksoutdoors.pulse.ly/41hk7hgct8