Kansas Local Foods

Kansas State Local Food System Staff

We have two Local Food System program staff with K-State Research and Extension that serve as connectors and facilitators throughout the state. The positions are funded through a USDA Regional Food System Partnership Grant. We look forward to meeting you and helping your community grow your local food system!

Rebecca McMahon

Local Food System Program Administrator
rmcmahon@ksu.edu
316-361-6779

Get to Know Rebecca:
  • Favorite garden food: Peas of all types - partly because of fond memories of shelling peas with my grandma, and partly because it is hard to beat a freshly picked sugar snap pea!
  • A memorable local food meal: I really can't think of just one - I think that any meal that I cook that incorporates lots of great local products is a great meal. I especially love a meal that incorporates vegetables in unexpected ways - like beet ice cream.
  • An inspiring Kansas producer: I'll be honest that I'm struggling to pick just one. Any producer that is battling our Kansas weather and climate to produce amazing food is worthy of being called inspiring!
  • A hobby of mine: Reading lots of books, driving kids to and from things

Amanda Lindahl

Local Food System Program Coordinator
alindahl@ksu.edu
913-730-6689

Get to Know Amanda:
  • Favorite garden food: Sweet potatoes, because they’re so easy to grow, the harvest is abundant, and they store for long term eating
  • A memorable local food meal: A celebration dinner at Noah’s Cupboard in Weston, MO featuring meat, veggies, cheese, and even rice from KS & MO producers
  • An inspiring Kansas producer: Jako Farm near Hutchinson, KS is a multi-generational family farm that sells direct to consumer through their on-farm store. They’re regenerating the health of the land and their community with their products.
  • A hobby of mine: Fermenting food & beverages including sauerkraut, sourdough bread, and kombucha

Jenny Doty

Food Systems Entrepreneurial Resource Navigator
jdoty8@ksu.edu
913-717-9807

Get to Know Jenny:
  • Favorite garden food: Fresh produce is always amazing, but a meal is not perfect without the right flavors. I enjoy growing different herbs and using them to make a meal really delicious. I just wish that cilantro had a longer season in Kansas!
  • A memorable local food meal: I have helped with planning a farm to table event for several years. I was able to work with several chefs and many local produce and product makers. The outstanding produce and meats along with the creativity of the chefs made it truly memorable.
  • An inspiring Kansas producer: There are so many wonderful farm and food producers in the state. The most inspiring producers for me are the ones that work collaboratively with other producers to improve their business and others.
  • A hobby of mine: I love to sew different projects including making modern quilts. I also do not miss a game of cheering for the KC Current soccer team.

Quinlan Carttar

Food Systems Entrepreneurial Resource Navigator
qcarttar@ksu.edu
785-331-7668

Get to Know Quinlan: 

  • Favorite garden food: I savor tomato season more than anything else. Between late July and late September, my breakfast rarely strays from: toast (pullman loaf from 1900 Barker), toum, goat cheese (from Green Dirt Farm), sliced tomatoes from my garden, and flaky salt. Sometimes arugula. From early October to late June, I think about tomatoes.
  • A memorable local food meal: Last year, I had the opportunity to go to a dinner at Saltwell Farm Kitchen in Overbrook, KS with my family and had both exceptional local fare and an otherworldly hospitality experience. Can’t recommend the magic of Chef Rozz highly enough. The most memorable dish was a handmade ravioli with duck, cremini mushroom, and ricotta – and having gained a new perspective on life since eating it, I now always zest a lemon into my ricotta when making stuffed pasta or lasagna.
  • An inspiring Kansas producer: Caramelo tortillas and totopos are a favorite, made by Lawrence-based producer Ruben Leal. The recipe is a regional specialty of Sonora, Mexico where Leal grew up; since he started producing and selling tortillas locally in 2018, he’s gone on to receive national attention in publications ranging from Bon Appetit and Saveur to the Wall Street Journal. Caramelo tortillas are shipped to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. I love making chilaquiles with Caramelo pork fat tortillas, homemade salsa, and local eggs.
  • A hobby of mine: Any occasion to ride my bike, especially in an urban environment, I’ll take it. I was a commuter cyclist for six years in New York City, and had the chance to do the 5 Boro Bike Tour in early 2024 alongside 33,000 fellow riders. I hope to do another large ride in the near future.

K-State Research & Extension Local Food Team

Other K-State staff also work on local food system topics, both individually and as part of K-State Research & Extension's Local Food Transdisciplinary team. This team is made up of extension agents, specialists, educators, and other K-State faculty and staff that have an interest in local food system work and may connect with it in one or more parts of their jobs. Our members include people that specialize in agriculture, nutrition, food safety, horticulture, health, financial management, education, youth development, and much more!