In March alone, entrepreneurs booked over 242 hours in the Shared-Use Kitchen. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the women-owned food businesses operating from the NMEP Food Hub by lifting up the stories of Carter & Rye and Ital Vital Living!
Meet Imani and Kate!
Imani Murray of Ital Vital Living and Kate Anderson of Carter & Rye both began their journeys as food entrepreneurs at NMEP. Despite the growing pains you might expect from expanding a business during the pandemic, both have conquered new milestones in their entrepreneurial journey in the new year.
Ital Vital Living is growing its presence in the community while Imani continues to host frequent pop-ups at businesses all across Omaha. As she builds community and awareness for plant-based lifestyles, business sales of her cold-pressed juices and smoothie bowls continue to climb each week. You can can find her juice products at Carter & Rye or the Highlander Accelerator sold through Best Burger. Carter & Rye, which specializes in playful and nostalgic sweet and savory hand pies and specialty coffee, has also expanded in 2021 by opening a brick and mortar business. The storefront gives Kate a new opportunity to expand her customer base and build deeper connections with her business patrons as they are now able to stop and shop in person!
More growth is on the horizon for NMEP food businesses, and we remain grateful for the community’s continual support and investment in local food choices that help pave the way of growth for women entrepreneurs like Imani and Kate.
The Culinary Certificate Program (CCP) applications are open for Cohort 12! The 8-week program provides training for individuals who want to sharpen or grow their culinary skills. Applications are due April 12 with a tentative start date of May 10, 2021.
Designed With Your Priorities In Mind
- Hands-on, skills-based and on-the-job culinary training
- Adaptable scheduling and financial support for working students
- Blended remote and face-to-face instruction
Last year, you showed up and showed out. When our community was hit hardest during the pandemic, your support of our neighbors through No More Empty Pots during Omaha Gives fueled meals and fresh produce for over 11,031 neighbors in 2020. Last year marked the end of Omaha Gives with the Omaha Community Foundation. We are inviting you to join us through the transition to Do Good Week by SHARE Omaha!
Introducing Do Good Week
- Do Good Week is a perfect time to get engaged!
- Mark your calendars for a new way to give April 19-24, 2021.
- All forms of engagement make a difference: your dollars, your time and your voice.
As we journey into 2021, your lived experiences and input are incredibly valuable. Here is what we are doing to be intentional in listening to you.
Join Our Virtual Listening Sessions
- NMEP will host online listening sessions in April and May for many NMEP stakeholders. You will have the option to choose what works best for you.
- Your feedback will help NMEP provide the best programming and services possible.
- Check back on the NMEP Facebook page for updated event details. You may also email ebarber@nmepomaha.org to be notified when session times are confirmed.
The Rooftop Garden is buzzing with new life. Planning for seasonal programming in 2021 is underway and volunteers and staff are busy prepping the beds for new seeds!
COVID-19 Resources
Find information on COVID-19 vaccination eligibility and timelines from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for facts about the vaccine.
