City Sprouts Inc
About City Sprouts Inc
City Sprouts turns a reclaimed North Omaha lot into something you can actually use: fresh produce, hands-on learning, and a place where food access feels practical instead of abstract. The organization also runs paid opportunities for young adults ages 16 to 21, so the work grows skills as well as vegetables. Add in a 24/7 free fridge and pantry, and you have an Omaha resource that meets everyday needs in a very direct way.
What stands out here is how grounded the model is. You can come for a garden workshop, youth employment, soil health support, or the free fridge and pantry, and each piece connects back to equitable food systems and community learning. It is local work with a lot of range, but it stays rooted in hands-on access.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Community Garden
A free, public community garden in North Omaha where people harvest fresh produce, explore the garden space, and join community events and workshops.
Workshop Series and Educational Programming
Hands-on workshops, classes, and virtual learning on gardening, cooking, preserving, herbal medicine, nutrition, and related skills for people of many ages.
Urban Farming Internship
Part-time paid employment for young adults ages 16 to 21 that teaches agriculture, horticulture, culinary arts, public health, life skills, customer service, job readiness, teamwork, and leadership.
Soil Health + Conservation Initiatives
Workshops, field days, and events that help urban growers access technical assistance, adopt conservation practices, and improve soil health.
Free Fridge + Pantry + Library
A 24/7 public resource with no ID required that increases access to food, clothing, basic hygiene items, and related community resources.
Garden-based Health & Wellness Curriculum
A series of five video modules with teacher packets for educators, covering healthy eating, gardening, physical activity, and related wellness topics for 3rd through 5th grade students.
Urban Agriculture Support
Free, tailored technical assistance for urban, peri-urban, and small-scale growers across Omaha.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
City Sprouts uses urban agriculture as a platform to develop equitable food systems, provide educational opportunities, and build community.
Who they serve
Omaha-area residents, especially North Omaha neighbors, urban growers, young adults ages 16 to 21, volunteers, educators, and families seeking fresh food or pantry access.
Their impact
- In 2020, 15 interns on 3 teams worked for over 20 weeks and helped grow nearly 14,500 pounds of food distributed to the community.
- In 2020, the internship included 5,500+ paid hours.
- City Sprouts hosts more than 800 volunteers every year.
How your donation helps
- Youth internship pay, supplies, field trips, and meals
- Workshops, classes, and community events
- Free Fridge + Pantry food, clothing, and toiletry items
- Tractor fuel and urban farm operations
- Cold storage that keeps thousands of pounds of food fresh
- Materials for the Home Grown Kids program
Our story
City Sprouts started in 1995 when community members reclaimed an overgrown city lot in North Omaha and turned it into a community garden. From there, it added an education center next to the garden in 2005 and prepared the Decatur Street Urban Farm for cultivation in 2009. What began as one garden grew into a program model shaped by gardening, education, youth employment, and food distribution.
Need help?
How someone in need can access City Sprouts Inc’s services.
The Free Fridge, Pantry, and Library are open to the public 24/7 with no identification required, and the pantry is stocked once daily in the morning. Workshops and classes use suggested donations, and no one is turned away for inability to pay.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Community to me is; a group of individuals who inspire creativity, encourage positive change, share a common interest or goal, and respectfully challenge an individual or shared value of a group in order to foster knowledge and understanding.
We continue to increase our efforts and the amount of produce grown at our urban farm which directly relates to the impact we can have on community members.
Gardeners don’t grow old, they just spade away.
Events
Garden Crew
twice weeklyA twice-weekly drop-in volunteer event in the community garden with planting, weeding, watering, mulching, harvesting, and other garden tasks.
Community Night
monthlyA free meal and activities in the garden where visitors can get a tour, ask questions, and meet new friends.
Farm Fest
annualA fundraising event that benefits the Urban Farming Internship.
Annual Seed Share
annualA community seed swap where participants can take free seeds or bring seeds to share.
Soil Health Series
ongoingWorkshops, field days, and events focused on soil health and conservation practices for urban growers.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles City Sprouts Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Perishable food items
- Non-perishable food items
- New clothing
- Toiletry products
Volunteer opportunities
- Garden Crew drop-in volunteer nights
- Garden clean up
- Mini construction projects
- Harvesting and watering in the garden
- Helping with community meals
- Tabling events
- Group volunteering for clubs, corporate teams, schools, classes, scout troops, and youth groups
Recognition & press
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who can apply for the Urban Farming Internship?
Young adults ages 16 to 21 can apply.
Is the Free Fridge + Pantry open to everyone?
Yes. It is open 24/7 to the public and does not require identification.
Do workshop participants need to pay full price?
Workshops use suggested donations, and no one is turned away because they cannot pay.
Do volunteers need gardening experience?
No. Experience is not necessary, and tools and gloves are provided if needed.
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