Healthy Food Access is the means to consistently find, afford, choose and use nutritious & safe food. Access to healthy food increases nutrition security, which emphasizes having the right kinds of nutritious foods versus simply having enough foods. Our team partners with community organizations and local health departments to work toward changes in systems and policies to promote healthy food access and nutrition security.
Learn more about healthy food access initiatives in Douglas-Sarpy Counties:
Double Up Food Bucks
Nebraska Double Up Food Bucks matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases on fresh fruit and vegetables dollar for dollar, up to $20 per day. Families take home double the fresh produce and support locally owned independent grocery stores and farmers. Visit one of our Omaha Double Up locations at the Omaha Farmers Markets, No More Empty Pots, or Las Nena's Zamora Market.
Growing Together Nebraska
Growing Together Nebraska is a SNAP-Ed funded donation garden project that improves access to affordable, nutritious, and safe foods, while providing education on storing and preparing seasonal produce. Our team partners with Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to grow food at H.O.P.E. Garden, Hope Center for Kids, Unceded Native Artist Garden, and the All-America Selections Trial Garden at the Douglas-Sarpy Counties Extension office. In 2023, these gardens donated over 13,000 pounds of produce to benefit families and individuals at Heartland Hope Mission, Hope Center for Kids, Carole's House of Hope, and Refugee Women Rising.
Little Free Pantries
Little Free Pantries are weather and animal-proof structures that store food and other items for those in need. Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties sponsors two pantries built and maintained by local youth organizations: Bellevue Do More Learn More 4-H Club (pantry at Avery Presbyterian Church in Bellevue) and Elkhorn Hills UMC Youth Group (pantry at Garden Gallery in Elkhorn).
Thinking about a Little Free Pantry in your neighborhood?
Food Pantry Consulting
Food pantries and distribution programs are a main source of food for some people in our communities. Food is a basic need for families and children that communities can help provide when fellow community members need assistance. Everyone deserves to have this basic need met with access to high quality, healthy foods. Our team works with local food pantries to improve the nutritional quality of their offerings and connect with resources to help pantry guests utilize the food they receive.
