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How surplus World Cup food is feeding KC families

Families likely ate the same food served to Lionel Messi on his birthday.

News

Kansas City families likely ate the same food served to Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi on his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.komu.com/fifa_world_cup_2026/lionel-messi-celebrates-his-39th-birthday-in-kansas-city-during-a-joyful-world-cup/article_973846c7-3143-5cd1-b293-a86f15744f0b.html" data-vars-content-id="116ad0e8-8575-4e0c-ad7d-cb564afc44a7" data-vars-headline="How surplus World Cup food is feeding KC families" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.komu.com/fifa_world_cup_2026/lionel-messi-celebrates-his-39th-birthday-in-kansas-city-during-a-joyful-world-cup/article_973846c7-3143-5cd1-b293-a86f15744f0b.html" target="_blank">birthday</a>.Why it matters: The surplus food was recovered as part of a collaboration between FIFA and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pete&#x27;s Garden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.petesgarden.org/" data-vars-content-id="116ad0e8-8575-4e0c-ad7d-cb564afc44a7" data-vars-headline="How surplus World Cup food is feeding KC families" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.petesgarden.org/" target="_blank">Pete&#x27;s Garden</a>, a KC nonprofit that turns food waste into meals for families in need.

The kratom crackdown splits KC at the state line

Kratom and 7-OH became felonies to possess in Kansas on July 1. Across the state line, they're still legal, even as cities pass their own bans.

A product local leaders and law enforcement <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="call" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/drug-regulation/kansas-city-missouri-city-council-adopts-regulations-on-7-oh-kratom" data-vars-content-id="2ac406ed-9813-4186-929b-ff8d634bd406" data-vars-headline="The kratom crackdown splits KC at the state line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/drug-regulation/kansas-city-missouri-city-council-adopts-regulations-on-7-oh-kratom" target="_blank">call</a> &quot;gas station heroin&quot; is now illegal in Kansas — and the federal government may soon make it illegal nationwide.Why it matters: Possessing kratom or its derivative, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), became a felony in Kansas on July 1, splitting the rules in a metro that&#x27;s home to the Midwest&#x27;s largest 7-OH producer.

Boomers own KC's family-size homes

Empty nesters own nearly 28% of Kansas City homes with three-plus bedrooms while millennial parents own about 19%, per Redfin. The good news: KC's young families still fare better than almost anywhere else in the country.

Empty nesters are sitting on Kansas City&#x27;s family-size homes.Why it matters: The people who have the space aren&#x27;t necessarily the ones who need it — and that&#x27;s making a tight <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="568d03eb-e433-4c4a-ac6b-14196ee149f1" data-vars-headline="Boomers own KC&#x27;s family-size homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">housing market</a> even tighter.

Your 2026 primary election guide

Missouri votes on phasing out its income tax and Jackson County's assessor. Kansas picks candidates for an open governor's seat and decides how its Supreme Court justices get chosen. Here's your guide before Aug. 4.

Election

Your paycheck, your property taxes and your courts are all on the line in the Aug. 4 primary election. Here&#x27;s what to know before you head to the voting booth.Why it matters: Primaries draw a fraction of November&#x27;s turnout, and the voters who show up decide these questions for everyone.

Soak up KC's final World Cup weekend

Kansas City's moment as a host city is almost over.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s the last big weekend for World Cup activities in Kansas City, with the final days of Fan Fest, a couple of major concerts, and the last local match.Why it matters: KC&#x27;s moment as a host city is almost over — but not before Argentina returns to battle Switzerland in a quarterfinal.

Swordfish Tom's creates pepperoni pizza cocktail

A Kansas City bartender dreamed about infusing gin with pepperoni pizza, then actually made it. Pizza My Heart is now on Swordfish Tom's summer menu, fake pepperoni garnish and all.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swordfish Tom&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/27/swordfish-toms-kansas-city-speakeasy" data-vars-content-id="2c7e9b9a-35a8-413f-82e9-299d25ec1437" data-vars-headline="Swordfish Tom&#x27;s creates pepperoni pizza cocktail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/06/27/swordfish-toms-kansas-city-speakeasy" target="_self">Swordfish Tom&#x27;s</a>, the speakeasy hidden down a Crossroads alley, put pizza on its summer menu in cocktail form: gin infused with real pepperoni slices.Why it matters: The bar has made playful, inventive cocktails its signature, and this one delivers a beloved comfort food by the glass.

Fourth of July celebrations in KC for America's 250th

The country turns 250 on Saturday, and communities on both sides of the state line are marking it with parades, fireworks and drone shows. Here's where to catch it, from a WWI Museum picnic doubling as FIFA Fan Fest to skydivers landing with the flag in Parkville.

The country turns 250 on Saturday, and communities across the metro are marking it with parades, fireworks and a few drone shows.Here&#x27;s where to celebrate, on both sides of the state line.

Need a World Cup break? 5 non-soccer events this weekend

Burned out on the World Cup? The metro has BBQ in Lenexa, Rascal Flatts in Bonner Springs and a Pride party in the West Bottoms. Here's your weekend.

By now, even the biggest soccer fan could use a night away from penalty kicks and Fan Fest crowds. If you need a weekend off from the World Cup, the metro has you covered.

The world is shopping local at Union Station

More than 100 KC makers set up shop at Union Station's City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace, turning World Cup visitors into local customers through July 12. Admission is free.

More than 100 Kansas City makers have set up shop at Union Station, turning the World Cup crowds streaming through town into local customers for five weeks.Why it matters: KC is hosting six <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/06/17/kansas-city-world-cup-match-argentina-algeria-recap" data-vars-content-id="e3a3cd5a-671d-406d-ace8-a7fe5337c5af" data-vars-headline="The world is shopping local at Union Station" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/06/17/kansas-city-world-cup-match-argentina-algeria-recap" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> this summer, and the city built the marketplace so local entrepreneurs, not just national sponsors, can share in a moment expected to draw about 650,000 visitors.

The West Bottoms got a World Cup spray paint makeover

Local and visiting artists painted seven World Cup-themed murals across the neighborhood during First Friday weekend.

Seven new World Cup-themed murals went up across the West Bottoms this month, painted live by local and visiting artists as the tournament rolled into town.Why it matters: Consider it one more grand welcome from a region working hard to charm its global guests.

KC celebrated Juneteenth long before it was official

The annual celebration at 18th and Vine started in 1980.

<figure><img alt="Animated illustration of a pattern of Juneteenth flags and Pan-African flags, waving." height="720" id="4b7752bd-2a06-45c8-ad4a-238931c6e8ce" src="https://images.axios.com/XOJZvKhukYDtuW-5PwSpyHgu0xM=/2025/06/13/1749842302709.gif" width="1280"/><figcaption>Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios</figcaption></figure>Kansas City&#x27;s<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Juneteenth celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.juneteenthkc.com/" data-vars-content-id="d9ced768-6599-416a-9095-3ae273a50b6d" data-vars-headline="KC celebrated Juneteenth long before it was official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.juneteenthkc.com/" target="_blank"> Juneteenth celebration</a> grew from scattered neighborhood gatherings in the late 1970s into a festival that now draws thousands each June.Why it matters: KC&#x27;s Black community built and sustained the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2025-06-07/juneteenth-kansas-city-events-parade" data-vars-content-id="d9ced768-6599-416a-9095-3ae273a50b6d" data-vars-headline="KC celebrated Juneteenth long before it was official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2025-06-07/juneteenth-kansas-city-events-parade" target="_blank">celebration</a> for decades, long before the federal government recognized the day.

Father's Day in KC rundown

Father's Day lands right in the middle of the World Cup this year, so KC dads can pick from a match, the I-70 Series, free museum entry or a pickleball tournament. Just lock it in today.

Father&#x27;s Day is Sunday and right in the heart of the World Cup, so dads&#x27; options run from Fan Fest to the smoker.

Inside KC's World Cup Fan Fest

Fans from 153 countries registered for the free festival at the WWI Museum lawn, where Mexico supporters owned opening day. It runs select days through July 11.

<figure><img alt="Large crowd at a park festival passes under a red heart arch; a blue tent reads COME AGAIN in the background among green shirts, people, and city buildings." height="720" id="3c41dc3d-6eaa-472f-b1e8-23c1a1ad1a28" src="https://images.axios.com/LTw9h0Mb9j2aTmC-2e3yNm1GIjA=/2026/06/11/1781214711734.gif" width="1280"/><figcaption>Fans were pumped entering Fan Fest. GIF: Abbey Higginbotham/Axios.</figcaption></figure>Kansas City&#x27;s free <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA Fan Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://kansascityfwc26.com/fifa-fan-festival/" data-vars-content-id="82d33bb5-98c1-4a8c-9175-9245591d29f1" data-vars-headline="Inside KC&#x27;s World Cup Fan Fest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kansascityfwc26.com/fifa-fan-festival/" target="_blank">FIFA Fan Festival</a> threw open its gates Thursday, packing the National WWI Museum lawn with giant screens, local barbecue and a 65-foot-tall glowing heart.Why it matters: Match tickets are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scarce and pricey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/08/world-cup-2026-tickets-prices-fifa-resale" data-vars-content-id="82d33bb5-98c1-4a8c-9175-9245591d29f1" data-vars-headline="Inside KC&#x27;s World Cup Fan Fest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/08/world-cup-2026-tickets-prices-fifa-resale" target="_self">scarce and pricey</a>, so the festival is the closest most fans will get to the World Cup.

Ronald McDonald House launches World Cup rally flags

Ronald McDonald House KC is selling $10 World Cup rally flags starting Friday.

Ronald McDonald House is giving Kansas Citians a World Cup-themed twist on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Red Friday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chiefs.com/redfriday/" data-vars-content-id="cfe198cd-b4dd-4ac5-8065-019a1623b137" data-vars-headline="Ronald McDonald House launches World Cup rally flags" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chiefs.com/redfriday/" target="_blank">Red Friday</a>.The big picture: The tradition of buying Chiefs flags to support sick kids and their families has expanded to the tournament, giving people a chance to make a global impact.

Things to Do 🗓

Soak up KC's final World Cup weekend

Swordfish Tom's creates pepperoni pizza cocktail

Fourth of July celebrations in KC for America's 250th

Need a World Cup break? 5 non-soccer events this weekend

The world is shopping local at Union Station