Whispering Roots distributes meals to Omahans, creates community garden from emergency food delivery

Juli Oberlander • October 1, 2020

Whispering Roots distributes meals to Omahans, creates community garden from emergency food delivery

Ellen Sexton's neighbor (far left) stops by for produce from the garden. Ellen's house was the site of Whispering Roots' community garden project, with a sign created by Ellen's granddaughter (third from the left) to mark the plot of land. (Photos courtesy of Anna Curry)

More than 30,000 children in Omaha suffer from food insecurity, according to Feeding America. On top of that, about 18.3 percent of children in Nebraska and 16.7 percent of children in Iowa were food insecure in 2015, higher than the rates for adults alone during that time.

Whispering Roots is dedicated to decreasing these numbers. A nonprofit organization that serves the Omaha area, Whispering Roots works to reduce hunger and offer resources to at-risk populations.

"At Whispering Roots, our mission is to use innovative next-generation agricultural practices to provide nutritious food, hands-on learning, and career pathways that cultivate healthy communities," says Anna Curry, culinary and nutrition project manager. "We respond to food accessibility and community development issues in our community by bringing healthy food, nutrition education, employment, opportunities and innovative next-generation agricultural technology to communities that need them the most."

When COVID-19 came to Omaha, Curry says Whispering Roots suspended its in-person school programs and events with other community partners. The team also added to its number of community gardens to increase food production for the Omaha area.

"We quickly shifted to assist other nonprofits with food deliveries, getting vital assistance to those impacted by COVID," Curry says. "We have distributed thousands of pounds of food, both fresh produce and dry goods, to those in need."

The nonprofit, founded by Greg Fripp, has committed its efforts to supporting local food systems in a time where many families struggle to obtain proper nutrition.

"Greg Fripp and his entire team are amazing," says Jim Trebbien, retired dean of the culinary arts program at Metropolitan Community College. "They have really stepped up to the challenge and have served literally thousands of people."

In the spring, Curry says Whispering Roots made an emergency food delivery to a family in need of assistance that resulted in a large impact for the community. While at the home, the staff learned the owner, Ellen, had an empty lot next to her house that she dreamed of transforming into a community garden.

Over the course of a few weeks, Curry says Whispering Roots visited Ellen's home and worked on her raised beds to start the garden. As plants began to grow, Ellen's neighbors volunteered to help water and take care of the vegetation.

"The response to the garden was overwhelming and neighbors were coming from all over to get in on the harvest," Curry says. "As a result, we also started bringing in additional produce boxes and again, the response was overwhelming."

Whispering Roots, which partners with the USDA's pantry box program, has been delivering produce from Ellen's home in North Omaha on a weekly basis. Curry says the team now distributes thousands of pounds of food from Ellen's garden each week.

"When we made the delivery early in the year, we had no idea where things would lead," she says, "but we are thankful for her partnership and commitment to the community."

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