Omaha Economic Development Corporation provides fresh produce with first farmers market
Juli Oberlander • October 1, 2020
Omaha Economic Development Corporation provides fresh produce with first farmers market, other projects
Photos courtesy of Cynthia Hume
In every state and region of America, food insecurity is a problem.
Often, the barrier that stands between families receiving access to healthy meals is a lack a resources. Forty-four percent of Nebraskans who are food insecure likely don't qualify for federal nutrition assistance under current program requirements, according to a 2019 report by Feeding America.
As a result, many households depend on charitable food assistance programs and drives by organizations such as Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC). Cynthia Hume, OEDC manager for the Fair Deal Village Marketplace (FDVM), says the nonprofit actively works to reduce food disparity in Omaha, forming an organized response in April to support approximately 250 low-income families affected by COVID-19.
In partnership with local churches and nonprofit organizations, OEDC used its supply chain resources to obtain significantly discounted bulk orders of food staples from distributors. By leveraging its FDVM shipping containers, Hume says OEDC has worked to provide relief for suffering families, serving 1,000 low-income households by May 10.
“People are struggling to make ends meet,” she says. “That’s where we come in.”
OEDC has also provided food coupons to Omahans in need during the pandemic. Since Aug. 15, Hume says the nonprofit has distributed 1,207 $20 coupons to local households with elevated food insecurity challenges due to COVID-19. The project was made possible through the Community Cares Response Grant in partnership with the Healthy Village Collaborative and Community Cares.
Hume says OEDC partnered with Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, Salem Baptist Church and Omaha Housing Authority to distribute the coupons. In addition, the team helped with the churches' monthly drive-thru food pantries, offering produce to the churches at a discounted price.
Throughout the project, Hume says OEDC has helped mitigate the costs for organizations through grants from CIT Bank and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. At each food drive, the team has given away around 200-300 boxes of food.
She says at one particular Salem Baptist Church drive, the staff ran out of boxes, and people were still waiting in line for food. Through partnerships with local farmers, OEDC has worked hard to acquire fresh food for as many people as possible, collaborating with Omaha Housing Authority to supply food to residents of the towers throughout the city.
“That has been a blessing,” Hume says. “This is coming into play to help with food disparity during this time.”
Recently, OEDC also partnered with City Sprouts, The Big Garden, Big Muddy Urban Farm and three farmers to create its first pay-what-you-can farmers market. Stocked with produce from the nonprofits' existing community gardens, the markets lasted from July 23 to Sept. 24 and were held in the OEDC parking lot.
Hume says more than 700 people visited the farmers market and paid the amount they could afford for locally grown food. Several vendors contacted OEDC to sell wares, and Smokin' Gunz Bar-B-Que even provided meals from its food truck.
In a time where it's difficult to obtain bulk items from grocery stores, Hume says OEDC's affiliation with Fair Deal Village Marketplace has allowed the team to use store resources in giving away large amounts of food to low-income families. The partnership with local farmers also provided a source of healthy, local food for the markets.
“That’s where the farmers came in with providing fresh produce," Hume says. "I’m talking fresh carrots...it was amazing.”
With many projects in the works for October, Hume says OEDC is looking at more ways to help reduce food shortage in the future.
She says she was pleased with the success of the farmers market and hopes to serve more Omahans with upcoming food drives.
“It’s great that people are coming from all over the community," Hume says. "We’re doing our best to meet those needs."
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