Kristen Beck shares the value of local food during difficult times

Juli Oberlander • September 25, 2020

Kristen Beck shares the value of local food during difficult times

Photo courtesy of Kristen Beck

As the senior project manager for Vic Gutman & Associates, Kristen Beck is heavily involved with planning the Omaha Farmers Market every year.

In 2020, the preparation for the event has looked different due to challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties, Beck says the Omaha Farmers Market team has persevered to offer a modified format of the event.

In addition to moving the event forward a month from its original starting date, Beck says the team has remained steadfast in its goal to support vendors and provide Omahans quality food products while ensuring a safe environment.

"The Omaha Farmers Market believes in its mission to offer the community an opportunity to access fresh, local food," she says. "By keeping our markets open, our local vendors have a sales outlet for their products."

Although the Omaha Farmers Market has updated its policies to keep the community safe, including decreasing its vendors and relocating its venues, Beck says the need for local food remains paramount.

"Our local food system is incredibly important to provide social, economic and environmental benefits to our community," Beck says. "We often take for granted just how important it is. Instead of having your food travel an average of 1,500 miles to get to your plate, all of our vendors are within a 150-mile radius."

While the food sector has been deeply affected by the pandemic, Beck says she has been impressed by how producers and vendors have faced adversity.

Even with COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the economy, she says the Omaha Farmers Market allows the community to interact with producers and contribute to local food systems.

"Customers have the ability to shop the markets and connect with the producers growing the food," Beck says. "We are especially grateful for our vendors who have risen to the challenges and to the customers who have continued to support them."

About Kristen Beck:

Since 2017, Kristen Beck has worked for Vic Gutman & Associates as an event project manager. In her current role as senior project manager, Beck works in event management and planning for the Omaha Farmers Market, Physicians Mutual & WOWT Holiday Market, Omaha Summer Arts Festival, and Latino Center of the Midlands Fundraiser Dinner (Destino Dinner). Previously, she worked for Mercy High School as an alumni relations and event manager. Beck received a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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