No More Empty Pots has a mission, and it’s all in the name. This nonprofit organization strives to provide food security, self-sufficiency and ultimately no more empty pots in Nebraska and Iowa. Whether it’s through creating living wage jobs, supporting lifelong learning, or connecting people and resources to an improved, integrated and resilient food system, this organization addresses needs of the most vulnerable community residents through advocacy and action.
The newest action initiative of No More Empty Pots is to build a collaborative community-centered food hub to provide local foods, training, jobs and entrepreneurship in Nebraska and Iowa. “We look at the impact of each potential project on our mission, vision and values before accepting whether it becomes a part of the work in which we engage or support…each project must have an element of sustainability and long-term positive impact for the communities in which we serve,” said co-founder Nancy Williams.
The food hub will strengthen relationships between consumers and producers in both rural and urban areas, develop "closed-loop" food systems processes that save energy and waste, as well as support sustainable food systems both locally and regionally. Elements of the shared commercial kitchen include a small food business incubator, food service and job readiness training, kitchen rental service, and nutrition education programs.
They’re not the only ones who believe this project will be a success. No More Empty Pots was awarded a capital challenge grant of $250,000 from Peter Kiewit Foundation for the food hub project. In order to receive every penny of the match, No More Empty Pots must raise $1,500,000 by December 2015 and has begun new fundraising efforts.
Nancy and her organization hope to raise a portion of the funding needed through Red Basket. Every penny of their $10,000 goal will go toward the overall construction costs to begin the building phase for the food hub. They are working with Slate Architecture to build the hub that will host unemployed and underemployed low income residents, recipients of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), re-entry workers, and returning veterans.
The potential return of this project over five years includes over one million dollars in wages and benefits, six tons of diverted waste, two tons of vermicompost, 10% renewable energy, five new businesses, over 20 new jobs, and 75 trainees. Nebraska and Iowa areas will also see increased food security, better access to affordable local foods, improved nutrition education, self-sufficiency and economic resilience as a result of this project. Invest in the collaborative community-centered food hub today!