The purpose of this ARP funded grant is to support environmental justice through covid-19 recovery in areas of north and south omaha disproportionately impacted by the pandemic

Activities: at two victory garden demonstration project sites, monthly workshops will train participants to start and maintain their own victory gardens, which focus on the production of large amounts of nutrient-dense and culturally appropriate foods to feed families and donate to those in need. People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to be hospitalized from covid-19. Air pollution may contribute to asthma. By addressing air pollution as part of this project, the chances of severe illness from covid-19 are reduced. Outcomes: short-term outcomes include increasing the rate of covid-19 vaccinations, reduction in food insecurity, reduction in vehicle traffic due to local food access. Intermediate outcomes include increased production gardens at homes and in community gardens, increased health and wellbeing due to increased nutrition. Long-term outcomes include support for building victory gardens at homes and at multi-family housing units and improved air quality due to expansion of green spaces in urban areas and the reduction in vehicle traffic. Beneficiaries include residents of north and south omaha. Subrecipient: free farm syndicate will purchase gardening supplies including soil, seeds, compost, mulch, boxes, bags and tools in support of providing workshops and running free farm stands.