News Stories

Maxfield Kaniger and Ali Curbow, Kanbe’s Markets

Chefs transform ‘ugly’ produce into beautiful dinners: How Kanbe’s Markets is taking food waste off the menu

From lumpy apples to a spotty potato, foods with cosmetic flaws are still edible and nutritionally dense, said Ali Curbow.  “People turn away these types of produce because it is considered ‘ugly’ — but we’re hoping to showcase that these ugly produce can be made into something beautiful,” said Curbow, marketing manager at Kanbe’s Markets,…

Shrimp po'boy at KC Cajun

Gator, shrimp po’boys made to order, but Chef Esra has more than sandwiches plated for KC’s East Side

Opening a restaurant is just one phase of Esra England’s vision for Kansas City’s East Side. “I’m looking at a restaurant as an anchor point. Once you have a restaurant in the area, the community will be able to do different things like host meetings or classes — and hopefully, other businesses will start to…

Brian King, Realto

KC investors power $4.5M round for OP startup poised to ‘unlock billions’ for its customers

Overland Park-based Realto has closed a $4.5 million funding round — thanks in large part to the backing of Kansas City-based investors.  “We’re excited to welcome these important investors as we continue to expand our robust trading capabilities across the universe of alternative products,” Brian King, co-founder and CEO, said in announcement of the funding round which…

Philip Gaskin, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, speaking at the 2021 Small Business Celebration; photo courtesy of Rivas Photography/the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Kauffman anchors $100M fund to boost minority-led ventures, access to capital

Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News. A $100 million fund is expected to help close the wealth gap and better fund BIPOC-led ventures — thanks in part to Kansas City’s own Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.  Joining forces with Living Cities, the Kauffman Foundation has committed $10 million to…