About Us
Our Mission
Food Equality Initiative fights for nutrition security and health equity for all.
Our Vision
A world where every person has access to the food needed to thrive regardless of economic status.
Our Objective
Increase access to nourishing food as medicine for those facing food insecurity.
Very thankful for this service, it relieves a lot of stress off my shoulders knowing I can put food on the table, and access affordable foods shipped to you!
- FEI Client
At Food Equality Initiative (FEI), we believe that access to nourishing food is a fundamental human right. We fight for nutrition security and health equity by increasing access to food as medicine for those experiencing food insecurity and chronic conditions. Our work, deeply rooted in research, spans individual and community levels, aiming to create lasting change.
Despite the presence of food assistance programs, food pantries, and soup kitchens, hunger and food insecurity still haunt our nation, our towns, our communities, and our families. The struggle extends beyond hunger to include nutrition insecurity, which fuels chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These issues are pervasive, affecting the health and well-being of countless individuals and families across the country.
To truly address these challenges, we put the voices of those impacted by food and nutrition insecurity at the heart of our mission. By listening to their experiences and understanding their needs, we are able to design more effective, culturally sensitive, and inclusive programs and policies. This inclusive approach ensures that our efforts resonate deeply within the communities we serve, leading to a transformative impact that can last for decades and beyond.
Our research focuses on improving the accessibility of nutritious food to reduce health disparities for historically excluded populations. We aim to uncover the root causes of nutrition insecurity and develop innovative solutions that promote health equity. By working through an inclusive lens, we strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. Our commitment to health equity drives us to create a future where everyone has access to the nourishing food they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Together, we can build a world where nutrition security and health equity are realities for all, breaking the cycle of food insecurity and chronic conditions and fostering a healthier, more equitable society.
FEI Briefs
Our 3 Pillars
Access
Subsidized direct-to-door grocery delivery service
Kansas City area
Foods catered to different dietary needs
Education
Free-From Podcast
Free-From Blogazine
Webinars
Recipes
Newsletters
Advocacy
Support research projects
Lobby for legislative and institutional change
Advocate for traditionally under-represented populations
You can feed a family who needs
food as their medicine.
Food Equality Initiative News
Meet the Team
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Erin Martinez
CEO
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Meredith Mershon
Grants Director
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Crysta Green
Program Director
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Lisa Ragan
Director of Development & Partnerships
Board of Directors
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Bo Govea
Board President
IMA Financial Group, Inc -
Nancy Venneman
Board VP
Intrepid Direct Insurance -
Avery Bolar
Board Treasurer
Blue KC -
Lindsey Linkous
Board Member
Economic Development Corporation of KC
Want to make a huge impact in the lives of those experiencing food insecurity? Join our Board.
Our Founding History
Food Equality Initiative (FEI) was founded in 2014 by Emily Brown to address a critical and often overlooked gap: access to safe, medically necessary food for individuals managing food allergies and celiac disease. What began as a response to a deeply personal challenge quickly evolved into the nation’s first food pantry dedicated to allergen-free and gluten-free foods.
Building on this foundation, Erin Martinez has led FEI through a period of strategic growth and transformation. Under her leadership, the organization expanded beyond the traditional pantry model to develop innovative, dignity-centered solutions that meet people where they are, including a direct-to-door food delivery program designed to improve access for households facing both food insecurity and chronic disease.
Erin has positioned FEI at the forefront of the food is medicine movement, advancing the understanding that access to nutritious, medically-appropriate food is essential to health. Through research, programming, and community-informed solutions, FEI now serves individuals and families managing diet-treated conditions of food allergies, celiac disease, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes.
Today, FEI is focused on driving systems-level change through working to increase nutrition security, reduce health disparities, and ensure communities have equitable access to the foods they need to thrive.
Our Impact
As we strive to make an impact on feeding the hungry, we are also making significant strides in increasing knowledge and raising awareness about food and nutrition insecurity in those with diet-treated illnesses.
Our 990s
FEI is proud to be named an inaugural United Way Impact 100 organization.