North Omaha residents have long faced a persistent shortage of fresh food options. The area is frequently labeled a food desert, a term for low‑income communities where access to supermarkets is limited. Jennifer Parks, a longtime resident, says the situation has worsened in the last year and a half. Three well‑known grocery stores have closed in that time, leaving her and others to drive significant distances for basic supplies.
The New Grocery Store Coming To Town
The Heart Ministry Center plans to open a nonprofit grocery store near 25th and Lake Streets in early 2028. The facility will be owned and operated by the nonprofit that provides services to people in poverty. An ongoing community survey meant to determine the Heart Ministry Center’s next steps inspired the project, said Damany Rahn, CEO of the nonprofit. Of more than 700 responses collected over five years, the No. 1 request was a new grocery store. Rahn said the project will help with food access – and may serve as a catalyst for more investment in North Omaha.
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Why Stores Avoid The Area
Recent closures have left the neighborhood without a nearby supermarket. In 2025, a Hy‑Vee Dollar Fresh Market, a Family Fare, and Chubb Foods—all longtime local grocery stores—shut their doors, reducing the already limited options for residents.
Community Response And Challenges
Carolyn Solomon, a 79‑year‑old North Omaha resident, shopped at both Chubb Foods and Family Fare, which were rather nearby and affordable, she said. Now she often travels up to 15 minutes from home to find a grocery store that she likes. Solomon owns a car, but she worries for the people in the area that don’t have one. “We haven’t had a grocery store in that area of Northside in years,” Solomon said. “So, this is something new … I’m anxious to go see what it’s all about.”
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Rahn, CEO of the Heart Ministry Center, said the North Omaha project goes beyond that of an ordinary grocery store. In their planning, center officials consulted both local and national partners while also involving the community through surveys, focus groups.