Photos courtesy of Amy Zeller

Omaha nonprofit No More Empty Pots (NMEP) is one of the foremost organizations working to eliminate regional food insecurity and build economic resilience in local communities.

Through Community Harvest, NMEP's local food subscription service, the nonprofit provides food insecure households with locally sourced food from area farmers. Relaunched in 2021, Community Harvest provides a market opportunity to local producers and entrepreneurs while distributing fresh nutritious food to families and Omahans in need. Amy Zeller, communications and engagement manager for NMEP, says the service offers both plant-based meals and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares of local produce via pick-up or delivery.

In 2021, Zeller says more than 22,656 meals and 6,459 produce boxes were distributed to 50 zip codes in Iowa and Nebraska. Hand-crafted by NMEP's team of chefs and volunteers, the produce boxes are plant-based, single serve, microwaveable meals full of flavor and nutrients.

"Community Harvest gives food recipients the freshest food possible," Zeller says. "Eighty-five percent of food purchased in 2021 was sourced from a network of over 43 local producers."

No More Empty Pots offers several CSA box options on its website, providing subscribers the opportunity to sign up for meals using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) eligibility. One particular subscriber has shared about how Community Harvest has helped her access nutritious food during a difficult time in her life.

"Angela, a Community Harvest subscriber, is a mother and fierce advocate of her community and family," Zeller says. "She also is a cancer survivor who holds the heavy financial burden of paying for life-saving treatment. Due to the expensive cost of treatment and doctor visits, Angela receives CSA shares of fresh produce from No More Empty Pots to supplement her trips to the grocery store. Angela says the food is helpful for her family during weeks when hospital bills make her meal budget especially tight. During troubling times, Angela has peace of mind knowing her two sons have a consistent source of nutritious food at their door every week."

In addition to NMEP's Community Harvest program, food distribution also supports the nonprofit's educational initiatives by providing Omahans with additional resources and opportunities on the online Resource Hub and Facebook Group related to food system awareness, nutrition and culinary training. In 2021, Zeller says 96 percent of respondents receiving food reported positive learning outcomes.

"Through programs like Community Harvest, families like Angela's are learning about the availability and importance of sourcing fruits and vegetables from local producers in Omaha," Zeller says. "Angela says they're having fun together as a family trying out a variety of new foods and recipes."

Learn more about No More Empty Pots and its Community Harvest program by visiting the website, or by watching this video: