Central Kitchen Project to Bring Jobs to North Omaha Community
A long-vacant building in north Omaha will soon transform into CHI Health’s Central Kitchen, bringing jobs to the community and nourishing meals to hospital patients across the state.
The Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) owns the property at 1127 North 20th Street in Omaha, and has worked with CHI Health and the Empowerment Network for nearly a decade to develop a Community Innovation Campus. After securing $14 million in funding to renovate the space into a 19,000 square foot, USDA-certified kitchen, CHI Health’s Central Kitchen will soon occupy the space.
"OEDC is thrilled to be collaborating with CHI Health in transforming this vacant property in much need of a facelift into a soon-to-be beautiful commercial structure that will greatly enhance the neighborhood, provide thousands of patients daily nutritious meals, and meaningful employment opportunities for residents in North Omaha," said Michael Maroney, OEDC President & CEO.
With construction beginning soon, CHI Health hopes to open its new Central Kitchen in 2027, moving from its current location at Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy to meet the growing needs of preparing 2,800 patient meals each day. The hospital system hopes to reach 100 employees over time, adding to its current staff of 55 employees, and hire individuals living in north Omaha to provide jobs close to home for those in the community.
CHI Health’s current Central Kitchen opened in 1997, designed to serve only four hospital campuses and produce roughly 350 patient meals each day. Today, the kitchen transports thousands of patient meals to CHI Health hospitals in Lincoln and Omaha, along with Select Specialty Hospital, Nebraska Spine Hospital, and VA Hospice locations. All patient meals are prepared and trayed on site and transported to hospitals each morning. The kitchen also transports bulk foods to CHI Health hospitals in Kearney and Grand Island, and supplies bulk retail and bakery items to the market.
“This new kitchen allows us to continue serving patients in an environment that fits the growing needs of not only our hospital system, but other area hospitals,” said Julie Goebel, CHI Health Nebraska, Iowa Market President. “It’s also a win for our employees – many who’ve traveled from north Omaha to work since we opened our kitchen nearly 30 years ago. This new, beautiful space will provide convenience and create new opportunities for years to come.”
The project is made possible and largely funded by state, city, and county grants and philanthropic efforts.
About CHI Health
CHI Health is a regional health network with a unified mission: nurturing the healing ministry of the Church while creating healthier communities. Headquartered in Omaha, the Midwest Region consists of 28 hospitals, two stand-alone behavioral health facilities, 200 clinics and 12,588 employees. CHI Health’s Midwest Region operates in four-states, serving Nebraska, southwest Iowa, North Dakota and Minnesota. In fiscal year 2023, CHI Health provided $231.1 million in community benefit, including $183.6 million in care for the underinsured and uninsured, helping 196,181 patients.
CHI Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 through the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthy communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care.
About CommonSpirit Health
Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 157,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4.2 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.
About Omaha Economic Development Corporation
Since OEDC was established as a Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Organization in 1977, that simple idea has led to significant growth and improvement in the communities we serve. We’re focused on leveraging resources to achieve positive changes that contribute to the social and economic success of residents, neighborhoods, and businesses in North Omaha and beyond. As an organization, we serve as the developer for our own commercial and residential projects with oversight provided by an independent board of directors. We are the only federally designated Community Development Corporation (CDC) in Omaha – and a federally recognized Community Economic Developer (CED).