The 2026 KC Farmers Market Passport is Off and Running!
Turner Rec and DMG: Partners Aligned in Mission and Community
The Dotte Mobile Grocer relies heavily on community partners to help us connect people with access to healthy, affordable food. After our program was sidelined by mechanical issues for quite some time, we reached out to existing partners to reestablish our working relationships. Turner Recreation Commission enthusiastically welcomed the Dotte Mobile Grocer back while making clear their priority to provide a consistent, reliable resource for community members. Over a year back in service, we are proud of the dependability of our Turner market stop.
Located in the historic heart of the Turner district in Kansas City, KS, this center offers multiple sports, programs, fitness facilities, services, special events, and community resources for people of all ages and abilities. In doing so, they also provide spaces and opportunities for people to gather as a community. This tireless effort embodies their mission “…to prepare a life-long active community through accessible, high-quality recreation opportunities. Our goals are to create safe and welcoming spaces, increase community engagement, support youth development, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen connections within the Turner community through recreation and programming.” Their commitment to these goals can be seen every time you visit the center.
With so much always going on, we asked the staff what they are most proud of as an organization. They shared, “We are proud of the strong sense of community we continue to build in Turner. From youth sports and family events to wellness initiatives and partnerships with local organizations, we work hard to create opportunities that bring people together. We are especially proud of our commitment to making programs affordable and accessible while continuing to grow and improve services for our residents.” This sentiment clearly illustrates how closely aligned the Dotte Mobile Grocer and the Turner Recreation Commission are and how well our respective work fits together.
The connection seemed obvious to us, and we became curious how Turner Rec viewed its relationship with the Dotte Mobile Grocer. When asked how the Dotte Mobile Grocer fits in with the mission and goals of Turner Rec, the staff responded, “The Dotte Mobile Grocer and Cultivate KC align closely with our mission by helping improve access to healthy food options and supporting overall community wellness. Their presence helps remove barriers for families who may have limited access to affordable groceries while also creating another positive community resource within Turner. Supporting healthy lifestyles and community connection goes hand in hand with the work we strive to do through recreation and programming.” We could not agree more!
Healthy individuals and healthy communities rely on each other. They require planning, hard work, and commitment. But they also need to include fun and the potential for creativity and joy. The team at Turner Rec works every day to provide opportunities to build health, wellness and community while always including space for joy and fun and encouraging empathy and kindness. We see it in our customers when we are met with friendly curiosity and when we witness customers shopping for their neighbors and family members, so they don’t miss out on the chance to get a great deal on healthy food.
We are so grateful for our partnership with Turner Recreation Commission and all our customers in the Turner community.
