Omaha Tribe to Open Food Store in Walthill, Stock with Locally Sourced Food, Workers

The Omaha Tribe in northeast Nebraska has purchased a food store in the small town of Walthill and hopes to source it with locally-grown food and staff it with local workers. The area doesn’t have many food store options and the tribe hopes to sell fruits and vegetables and other healthy choices there. The purchase was made possible because of the$41million the tribe has gotten as part of American Rescue Plan funding.

“It’s very, very unlikely that the Omaha Tribe will see this kind of opportunity within our lifetime,” Omaha Tribe spokesman Patrick Brett said. “Lord forbid that something like COVID happens again in order to give us an opportunity like this, but since it has happened, this is our chance to really create what we’ve always wanted to create.”

The Omaha Tribe has also announced plans to help members with utility bills, mortgage payments and home renovations in a three-phase project. The newly-purchased restaurant in Walthill opens November 1st.