Our Story
Kitchen Sync Strategies was launched in Austin, TX in 2019 by Elliott Smith and Sarah Axe, two former public sector workers who knew their regional food economy needed a shape it didn't yet have. KSS fills the gaps between small farmers and big buyers, the company has kept a sharp focus on supporting farmers and food hubs to sell to institutions while building up the regional food systems in each geography we cover.
Each of our team members brings a unique personal and professional touch to our work, and we share tips, tricks, and best practices with each other and our clients, constantly. Together, we're hungry for change in the farm-to-institution and farm-to-school movement- aren't you?!
Brian Kearney
(he/him) Regional Food Sales Lead (Rocky Mountain Region)
Brian feeds communities through connection. As our Colorado connector, he uses 25+ years of foodservice experience to bridge local producers with institutional buyers, expanding Colorado's food systems into new markets. With a culinary background, Brian believes deeply in food's power to unite communities. He's a fierce advocate for local ag and foodservice workers, ensuring delicious food remains everyone's birthright—not just a privilege. This NY transplant (still a die-hard Giants fan) brings his East Coast roots to the Rocky Mountains, where he's fallen hard for the outdoors. When he's not strengthening food system connections, Brian also runs his own small business bringing people together through music and food (need a DJ, anyone?). His weekends? Either cooking, enjoying the outdoors, or... cooking some more.
Bottom line: Brian transforms meals into community events full of authenticity and fun.
Kayla Koether
(she/her) Director of Regional Growth
Kayla brings food systems to life. As Kitchen Sync Strategies' director of regional growth since March 2024, she connects farmers to markets and builds resilient local food networks that actually work. Raised on her family's rotational grazing farm in NE Iowa, Kayla's been knee-deep in food systems ever since. She designed Iowa's groundbreaking Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, turned around struggling food hubs, and coached farmers through business plans and regenerative practices while at Practical Farmers of Iowa. When she's not strategizing food systems, you'll find her managing her own beef cattle herd with partner Landon or exploring the Driftless Region on horseback. She's trained in food business optimization through the Food Finance Institute and holds a degree from Grinnell College.
Bottom line: Kayla turns food system challenges into opportunities, one farmer and one community at a time.
Abigail Blinn
(she/her) Regional Food Sales Lead (PNW)
Abigail makes local food accessible. As KSS' Regional Food Sales Lead, she's the connector getting PNW food hubs into K-12 schools, hospitals, corporate dining, and healthcare facilities regionally. Starting in Pennsylvania's orchards sparked Abigail's love for food and agriculture. She earned her dietitian credentials from Penn State and UNH with a focus on sustainable food systems, then headed west to Oregon—working at small farms, school kitchens, restaurants, and catering companies along the way. The past 5 years in Southern Oregon with Rogue Valley Farm to School and the Rogue Valley Food System Network taught her the power of organizing around regional food security. Now she's taken that passion statewide, turning local food promises into real institutional sales for regional food hubs. When she's not moving local food into food service programs, you'll find her climbing rocks or skiing mountains.
Bottom line: Abigail builds regional food networks with partnerships that feed communities.
Elliott Smith
(he/him) CEO, Co-Founder
Elliott builds food economies that actually work. As co-founder of KSS, Elliott is proud to have a team laser-focused on connecting small farms and food businesses to institutional buyers—generating over $5M in sales since 2021. Trained in Public Health but shaped by time in Texas kitchens and gardens with his mom and grandma, Elliott understands food's deep power to heal. He's driven by a simple belief: people and institutions should be in relationship with their food and farmers, not just be consumers of commodities. Through KSS, Elliott is proving that connecting K-12 schools, hospitals, and universities with local producers isn't just feel-good work—it's smart business that builds resilient value chains and stronger regional food economies.
Bottom line: Elliott turns the vision of fair, connected food systems into measurable impact in all the regions where KSS lives and works.
Bob Howard
(he/him) Regional Food Sales Lead (Midwest)
Bob grows relationships that grow businesses. This Northeast Iowa native brings decades of sales and customer service experience to KSS, with a deep understanding of what makes local food systems tick. Bob spent 12 years helping a startup on-farm creamery boom from 5k to 50k pounds per week—learning firsthand how to scale local food businesses while keeping a personal touch. He's served on local food steering committees and dairy promotion boards, and volunteers everywhere from his church to disaster zones worldwide. His secret? Customer service isn't just his skillset—it's his superpower. Bob understands that behind every successful food business are real relationships with real people. When he's not connecting Midwest farmers to markets, you'll find him traveling, renovating his home, or checking out live music!
Bottom line: Bob turns local food potential into reality, with dignity and integrity for everyone.
It takes a village...
Our Network(s)
KSS knows good work requires coalitions. These are some of our close collaborators, contractors, and friends who share our vision for a fairer, more nourishing food economy.
