The United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties, in partnership with the Healthy Harvey Coalition, is asking whether a right‑sized, year‑round fresh food market on Main Street in Hesston can work — and, if so, at what scale and what it would cost to open the doors.
Hesston has been without a grocery store since 2018. Funded through a Kansas Healthy Food Initiative predevelopment grant, this study takes a narrower, practical look at the feasibility of a fresh food market that could meet community needs while operating at a sustainable scale. The research will continue through 2027, with findings made publicly available as each phase is completed.
Join us for a community town hall to learn more about the project, meet the people involved, and ask questions. We'll explain what we're researching, how the study will work, and what we hope to learn. Most importantly, we want to hear your questions and concerns about the project.
An RSVP helps us plan seating, but it is not required — come as you are.
Hesston has heard grocery store promises before. This study is about making informed decisions based on the community's voice.
Not at this time. This is a feasibility study. It will tell us whether a right‑sized fresh food market can work in Hesston, at what scale, and what it would cost to launch. A yes or no comes out of the research, not ahead of it.
No. The study is paid for by a Kansas Healthy Food Initiative predevelopment grant plus a local match from project partners. No city or county tax dollars fund this work.
An earlier, much larger grocery concept was scaled back because the demand case was never nailed down. Lenders and funders will not finance a store without evidence. This is the work that makes financing possible.
121 N Main St is the site under evaluation. It is a starting assumption for the analysis, not a signed deal.
Findings will be shared with partners and the community as each phase closes, while community input will remain anonymous. The full feasibility report and next steps will be made publicly available at the end of the study. The goal is a transparent process where what we learn — and what comes next — is shared openly with the community.
This study is led jointly by United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties and the Healthy Harvey Coalition — the same partnership that has been working on food access in this county for years. Both are local, both are named on the grant, and both answer for the results.
A locally governed nonprofit that mobilizes community partners to improve lives — building a network of support, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for every person.
United Way holds the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative grant, manages compliance and reporting, and coordinates the partners doing the work. It also serves as the facilitating agency and fiscal agent for the Healthy Harvey Coalition.
To advance wellness, expand access to nourishing food, and enhance quality of life by driving policy and environmental change — toward a strong and thriving Harvey County.
The Coalition brings the food access expertise and the cross‑sector relationships. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Harvey County and believes in that mission, with seats held by government, education, faith, civic, healthcare, and community organizations. It meets at least six times a year, in person and remotely.
Co-hosts the town hall and brings local business insight, employer connections, and the market context that keeps the plan realistic.
The independent technical assistance provider conducting the research, facilitating focus groups, and writing the feasibility report.
Provides food systems expertise, producer and network connections, and alignment with county-wide food access strategy.
Answers to the survey will be reported in aggregate only — no individual responses will be published or shared.
The survey opens Wednesday, September 23 and stays open until Friday, November 6. The link will be posted here and sent through partner email lists the morning it opens. Paper copies will be available for anyone who prefers them.
Can't make the town hall? The survey is the other way to be counted — or email director@uwhmc.org and we will make sure your input reaches the study.
The survey tells us how many. Focus groups tell us why. Each session is facilitated by Adaptive Roots Consulting, the study's technical assistance partner, and runs about 75 minutes.
Households who would be the everyday customer base, including people without reliable transportation.
DemandResidents for whom a drive to another town is the difference between fresh food and none.
DemandHesston employers and staff whose schedules shape when a market would need to be open to be useful.
DemandProducers who could supply seasonal produce, meat, dairy and eggs — and what taking part would require of them.
Supply interviewsWholesale partners who would cover staples and off‑season inventory so shelves stay full year round.
Supply interviewsNo survey or focus group results are published yet — collection has not begun. This table updates as each stream closes.
| Evidence stream | Window | Status | Feeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community town hallPublic listening session | Sept 16, 2026 | Scheduled | Demand assessment |
| Community surveyShopping, pricing, barriers | Opens Sept 23 | Not open | Demand assessment |
| Additional supply & demand focus groups, interviewsShoppers, older adults, employers, growers, regional wholesale | Oct – Nov 2026 | Outreach underway | Demand & sourcing assessment |
| Operating model developmentScale, staffing, hours, inventory mix | Winter 2026–27 | Not started | Business plan |
| Business plan and funding researchStartup costs, projections, capital | Spring 2027 | Not started | Financing strategy |
| Final report and roadmapFindings, recommendation, next steps | 2027 | Not started | Go / no‑go decision |
Seven phases, beginning May 2026. Phasing updated by the project team on August 27, 2026.