Permits and paperwork: Administrative burden in Kansas City's community food system

Abstract

Local food producers and organization leaders often encounter unclear regulations, complex per­mitting processes, and frustration as they ensure that their food is grown legally. The administrative burden framework offers a valuable lens to identify these costs and potential interventions to support the long-term success of community food system efforts. This research uses a qualitative case study of the Kansas City metropolitan region to identify the learning, compliance, and psychological costs these actors face when encountering local govern­ment. I analyze survey and interview data to explore how administrative burdens manifest in local policy through zoning, use definitions, and permitting processes. Findings reveal that vague policy language and permitting requirements impose steep administrative costs. These barriers are not only technical but psychological, particu­larly for producers who perceive local food as mar­ginalized, who face structural disadvantages such as insecure land tenure, or have limited familiarity with bureaucratic systems. Encounters with admin­istrators often shape whether burdens are alleviated or intensified. Importantly, both informal peer net­works and formal organizations—such as nonprof­its—function as navigators, reducing costs and fill­ing institutional gaps. Practical recommendations include clarifying local policies, conducting policy audits, and providing administrator training. This study underscores the need to address administra­tive costs that hamper investments in community food system initiatives.