After 25 years with Ozarks Food Harvest, president and CEO Bart Brown plans to retire in March 2027, marking the end of a tenure that saw the organization expand its hunger-relief efforts across southwest Missouri.
Brown will remain in the role through March 2027 while the board of directors conducts a national search for a successor, according to a community announcement. Brown joined Ozarks Food Harvest as development director in 1999 and became president and CEO in 2002.
During Brown's time in leadership, the organization increased annual food distribution more than fivefold and expanded funding for hunger-relief programs. When Brown became president and CEO, the food bank provided 4 million meals each year. Ozarks Food Harvest now distributes
more than 23 million meals annually.
"It’s been a privilege to serve Ozarks Food Harvest and work alongside a dedicated board of directors, staff and community of supporters to help Transform Hunger into Hope across southwest Missouri," Brown said. "I’m so grateful for everything we’ve accomplished and excited to see what the next chapter holds for The Food Bank."
Growth of food programs
The organization's growth during Brown's tenure included the creation of several community-based programs, including the Weekend Backpack Program, Mobile Food Pantry, a "Shoppers Choice" market approach to food pantries and the Full Circle Gardens program.
According to the announcement, those efforts coincided with significant growth in the organization's food distribution and programming budget.
Community leadership and recognition
Beyond his work with Ozarks Food Harvest, Brown has served in leadership positions with several organizations. He is a former president of Feeding Missouri and past president of the Rotary Club of Springfield-North. Brown also served as chair of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Nonprofit Roundtable and on Feeding America's National Hunger Task Force.
Brown is a graduate of Leadership Springfield and received the Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year award from the Ozarks AFP Chapter. He also was part of the inaugural class of Springfield Business Journal's Men of the Year honorees.
"The board has been honored to benefit from Bart’s leadership during his 25 years at Ozarks Food Harvest," said Meera Scarrow, Ozarks Food Harvest board president. "We’ve been proud to see him lead the organization through expansions, economic downturns and a pandemic. His vision and dedication have helped shape The Food Bank into the successful organization it is today."
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozarks Food Harvest CEO Bart Brown to retire in 2027
