How do I get involved?
We are always accepting new volunteers! Most of our needs involve doing plot work, distribution, and event planning. Follow this link to our Volunteer Sign-up Form.
We are also always looking to connect with our peers to strengthen our web of free food in Omaha. If you’d like to add your distribution onto our data map, please follow this link to our Peer Free Distribution Application.
How do I support FFS?
Keep an eye out for any upcoming events through FFS and sign up for event email alerts! All donations are accepted via PayPal or by cash.app using $freefarmsyndicate.
Where is FFS located?
FFS is spread throughout eastern Omaha, divided into five urban plots in the heart of the city’s food desert. Find a listing of our gardens here and listing of our distribution sites and date/time here.
What is bioregional seed?
By saving seed from plants that have successfully thrived in your area of living and performed to your liking, you adapt the genetic coding of their seeds to increase resiliency to things like weather patterns and disease and pest resistance. Bioregional adapted seeds increase the sustainability of our local food systems by developing seeds that will produce a better attunement with their environment.
Is urban agriculture safe in Omaha?
Omaha has one of the highest lead soil content in the country. On the banks of the Missouri River (where the Bob Devani Bridge stands), the smelting plant produced 60% of the country’s lead production until its closure in 1992, raining lead dust into the air, dropping into the soil and the Missouri River.
The pervasive lead issue brings up health concerns for urban farming — not only for the safety of the produce but for the safety of our farmers and volunteers. All of FFS sites have been screened through the Omaha Lead Registry and have been deemed safe for production either due to low lead levels or documented remediation. Regardless, we encourage everyone to know the risks of lead exposure and their soil lead status, and when in doubt wear gloves while you work and clean your body after a day in the dirt. FFS implements growing practices that help extract trace lead levels throughout the growing season, improving the health of our urban habitats and produce.
Is FFS a nonprofit?
Currently, FFS has no tax-related status; City Sprouts is our fiscal sponsor.
What is a food desert?
Simply put, a food desert is an urban area in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. In Omaha, there are several ZIP codes that do not have grocery goods available within their ZIP code, requiring residents to take on the burden of time and transportation to access food or choose less nutrient-rich diets more conveniently available, such as fast food.
According to a 2017 United Midway Midlands report, within the urban-core of the North and South areas of Omaha, 30% of residents are considered ‘food insecure’ — disproportionately affecting children and seniors. Food deserts have been acknowledged as a form of environmental classism and racism, further systematically burdening disadvantaged communities.
Free Farm Syndicate attempts to close the food desert gap by growing and distributing in Omaha’s food desert zones.