Ozarks Food Harvest CEO Will Retire by March 2027
Bart Brown will step down after leading the regional food bank for over two decades.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Organic Food
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Bart Brown, the long-standing president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest, will officially retire in March 2027. The organization is now initiating a national search to name a successor for the role.
Why it matters
Under Brown's leadership since 2002, the organization scaled its operations to address food insecurity in Southwest Missouri. This transition marks a significant shift for the Springfield-based food bank as it looks toward its next phase of service.
Operational records confirm the organization expanded from providing 4 million meals annually in 2002 to over 23 million meals annually today. This growth occurred over the course of Brown's 25-year tenure with the food bank.
The players
Bart Brown
The retiring president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest who has led the organization since 2002.
Ozarks Food Harvest
A food bank providing nutritional support and food access programs to residents across Southwest Missouri.
The details
Brown spearheaded the implementation of several key nutrition and access initiatives to reach more residents across Southwest Missouri. These efforts include the Weekend Backpack Program, the Mobile Food Pantry, and a Shoppers Choice market approach that provides more autonomy in food selection. Additionally, the organization developed Full Circle Gardens to support sustainable access to fresh produce within the community.
Timeline
1999: Bart Brown joined Ozarks Food Harvest.
2002: Bart Brown became president and CEO.
March 2027: Bart Brown will retire.
Health Landscape
This change in leadership reflects broader trends within the Feeding Missouri network regarding how regional food banks manage food insecurity and supply chain logistics. The evolution of this organization mirrors a shift toward more comprehensive, nutrition-focused community food models.
The organization's ongoing transition may affect how residents access food assistance and nutritional programs in the coming years. Residents who rely on these services should monitor the organization's official communications for any changes in program availability or distribution schedules.
The takeaway
Reliable access to nutritious food remains a core component of community health and wellness. Residents looking to support or utilize these resources should track updates on the Ozarks Food Harvest website as leadership transitions occur.
What happens next
The Ozarks Food Harvest board of directors is currently conducting a national search to identify the next president and CEO before the transition concludes in March 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local nutrition initiatives in the Organic Food section.
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Do you trust local nonprofits to manage executive transitions without disrupting essential community services?
