COLUMBUS AREA UNITED WAY CONTINUES FOOD ACCESS EFFORTS BY RESUCING FRESH PRODUCE
Columbus- Did you know that 1 in 7 Nebraskans currently face food insecurity? Columbus Area United Way is collaborating with volunteers, local organizations, and businesses to help combat food insecurity in our local communities and saving produce at the same time!
Food producers normally must throw away fresh produce that they cannot sell to a retailer even though most of the produce is perfectly fine to eat. Local producers were identified and from June-October 2025, these items were provided to organizations that distributed to community members. Over 10,000 individuals were served from this fresh produce distribution. Jacquelyn Moser with Taste and See said, “Our area has seen a rise in food insecurity, and we see the struggle continuing to get worse. The food distributions are making an impact.”
This effort has been ongoing in 2026 as well. Beginning in June of this year, fresh produce has been distributed to organizations each week. One of the most inspirational things about the food rescue is that it is run by volunteers. We have enlisted the assistance of the Columbus Police Department, Pacesetter companies and other community volunteers who pick up the produce and bring it back to town for sorting. It is then sorted and loaded by volunteers from 1C Church, Taste and See, and Revolution. Organizations pick up their produce and distribute to their identified participants who need food.
These efforts will continue until mid-to-late September. Since June, more than 4,800 individuals have received fresh produce. We are still looking for volunteers to help sort and load produce on Tuesdays from 2-3:30 PM. If you would like to help with this effort, please reach out to slindberg@columbusunitedway.com.