Governor meets with grocers to discuss eliminating sales tax on groceries

Gov. Laura Kelly today discussed the “Axe the Food Tax” plan with grocers in Roeland Park. (Photo from Gov. Laura Kelly’s office)

Gov. Laura Kelly led a roundtable discussion with Kansas grocers at a Price Chopper in Roeland Park today to discuss her “Axe the Food Tax” plan.

The plan will eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on groceries and will save an average family nearly $500 a year.


“Kansans have been paying more for groceries than people in almost every other state,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “With pandemic-induced inflation affecting families and their pocketbooks, it’s more important than ever we provide immediate financial relief for Kansans by eliminating the food tax.”


Kelly was joined by Kansas grocery store leaders: Jon McCormick, president and CEO of the Retail Grocers Association of Missouri and Kansas; Rich Risewick, president of Jamboree Foods of Norton; and Mike Beal, chief financial officer of Ball’s Food Stores Inc.

Kansas has the second highest sales tax rate on groceries and is one of only seven states in the nation to fully tax groceries. The passage of Gov. Kelly’s “Axe the Food Tax” plan would keep business in Kansas while at the same time saving every shopper money, according to a spokesman.

– Story from Gov. Laura Kelly’s office