Whispering Roots
Whispering Roots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers fresh food, nutrition education, and STEM-based urban agriculture programs to underserved communities in Omaha and the Omaha Reservation in Macy, NE, using aquaponics, hydroponics, and aquaculture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersOmaha, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Whispering Roots does
Whispering Roots, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered at 2624 Edward Babe Gomez Ave, Omaha, NE. The organization delivers fresh food access, nutrition and culinary education, and STEM-based agricultural training to urban and rural underserved communities, with particular focus on the Omaha metropolitan area (where 34,570 children are food insecure per Feeding America) and Native American populations on the Omaha Reservation in Macy, NE. Core programs include the Culinary Advancement Program (food-service job training), the Food Pharmacy (a year-long type 2 diabetes management collaboration with Charles Drew Health Center and Creighton University for patients with A1C above 9.0), Food Delivery and Logistics for vulnerable populations, the Native American Agriculture and Health program, K-12 Culinary and Agriculture/STEM programs, the Thanksgiving Meals Program, and Nurture Omaha Farm Stands. The organization also maintains a network of at least nine community gardens across Omaha at schools, healthcare facilities, and community centers.
The organization operates an in-house controlled-environment agriculture system using aquaculture, hydroponics, aquaponics, and urban agriculture techniques that enable year-round food production despite external weather conditions. Reported operational scale includes 4,000+ clients served weekly, 20,000+ pounds of produce grown monthly, 800+ meals prepared monthly, and 2,000,000+ cumulative pounds of nutritious food delivered. Educational resources include bilingual (English/Spanish) recipes, STEM activity PDFs, a YouTube channel (Whispering Roots TV), and curriculum developed in partnership with Metropolitan Community College's Institute for the Culinary Arts.
Whispering Roots is governed by a board chaired by Dale Gubbles (Board President, CEO of Firstar Fiber) and led by Founder/CEO Gregory Fripp. Revenue is generated exclusively through donations, grants, event-based fundraising (Taco Fest), and merchandise sales, with funding drawn from individual donors, USDA, Farm Credit Service of America, Conagra Brands Foundation, CHI Health, Methodist Health Systems, Nebraska Medicine, in-kind contributions via Amazon Wishlist, and other corporate and community sponsors. All programs are delivered free of charge to end beneficiaries; the organization operates with 1-10 paid employees and relies heavily on volunteer labor and institutional partnerships.
Whispering Roots firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Whispering Roots
- Legal name
- Whispering Roots, Inc.
- Website
- https://whisperingroots.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Whispering Roots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers fresh food, nutrition education, and STEM-based urban agriculture programs to underserved communities in Omaha and the Omaha Reservation in Macy, NE, using aquaponics, hydroponics, and aquaculture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Whispering Roots industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Food Access and Nutrition Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421), Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover (111419), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Organic Greenhouse & Protected Crop Farming (High Tunnels, Greenhouses) (AFAGAKAD)
Keywords
Where Whispering Roots is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Omaha
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Whispering Roots business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations, grants from government agencies (USDA), foundations, and corporations to support food programs, education, and operations
- Event Revenue: Taco Fest annual fundraising event with ticket sales, sponsorships, and vendor fees
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of event merchandise such as Taco Fest t-shirts
- Amazon Wishlist Donations: In-kind donations of goods and supplies through Amazon Wishlist for gardens, food delivery programs, and culinary classes
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Whispering Roots product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Whispering Roots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grows fresh produce through aquaponics, hydroponics, aquaculture, and urban agriculture, then channels that food and accompanying nutrition education to underserved communities in Omaha, Nebraska. Its core offerings include food access programs (Food Pharmacy, Thanksgiving Meals, Farm Stands), nutrition and cooking classes, K-12 culinary and agriculture/STEM curriculum, and community garden resources. Programs are designed for individuals and families facing food insecurity, K-12 students, healthcare-referred patients, and Native American communities.
Product overview
Whispering Roots is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers a portfolio of community programs centered on food access, nutrition education, and agricultural training. The core offerings include the Culinary Advancement Program (job training in food service), Food Pharmacy (diabetes management through nutrition), and Food Delivery and Logistics (reaching vulnerable populations). Supporting programs include Agriculture and STEM education using aquaponics and hydroponics, the Thanksgiving Meals Program, Nurture Omaha Farm Stands, and the annual Taco Fest fundraiser. Educational resources include Garden Resources, STEM Activities with downloadable materials, Recipes in English and Spanish, and Whispering Roots TV on YouTube. The organization also maintains a network of community gardens at schools and community centers. This is a service-based nonprofit rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Culinary Advancement Program: Program helping parents start or grow their careers in the food service industry with job training, hands-on practice, and connections to local businesses.
- Food Pharmacy
- Nurture Omaha Farm Stands
Products and services
- Food Pharmacy A healthcare-referred nutrition program that channels aquaponics- and hydroponics-grown fresh produce to patients as a food-as-medicine intervention alongside clinical care. Designed for low-income individuals and families referred by partner clinics and healthcare providers.
- Thanksgiving Meals Program Annual holiday meal distribution providing complete Thanksgiving meals to food-insecure families and individuals in the Omaha community.
- Nurture Omaha Farm Stands Community farm stands that distribute aquaponics- and hydroponics-grown fresh produce directly to Omaha residents in underserved neighborhoods.
- Culinary Advancement Program Workforce and life-skills culinary training program for community members that uses the organization's farm-grown produce to teach cooking and food preparation.
- Cooking and Nutrition Classes Community cooking and nutrition education classes teaching participants how to prepare fresh, healthy meals using locally grown ingredients.
- K-12 Culinary Program School-based culinary education program delivered to K-12 students that teaches cooking skills and food literacy.
- Native American Agriculture and Health Culturally tailored agriculture and health program serving Native American community members that integrates traditional foodways with the organization's aquaponics and hydroponics production.
- Agriculture and STEM Program Hands-on STEM and urban agriculture curriculum that uses the aquaponics and hydroponics facility as a living classroom for K-12 students.
- Food Delivery and Logistics Direct food delivery service that transports fresh produce from the organization's farms to community members, food pharmacies, and partner sites.
- Community Gardens Community garden sites in Omaha neighborhoods that provide residents with space and resources to grow their own fresh produce.
- Taco Fest Annual community fundraiser event featuring tacos and local vendors that raises revenue and awareness for the organization's food access and education programs.
- Whispering Roots TV Digital content channel that extends the organization's nutrition, cooking, and agriculture education to a broader online audience.
Companies that use Whispering Roots
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Whispering Roots technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Whispering Roots partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Charles Drew Health CentercoreHealthcare collaboration for Food Pharmacy program serving type 2 diabetes patients. Charles Drew refers eligible patients to the year-long food pharmacy program, with patients meeting regularly with doctors, dietitians, and care teams.
- Creighton UniversitycoreCollaboration in Food Pharmacy program with Creighton University providing stress management and physical activity classes. Sodexo (Creighton dining services), Creighton Cupboard food pantry, and volunteers assist with food provision and boxing for program participants.
- Douglas County Health DepartmentmajorCollaboration for COVID-19 pandemic food logistics support providing last-mile food delivery to vulnerable populations.
- Catholic CharitiesmajorPartner in food coalition providing logistics support and food delivery to poverty-stricken clients in Omaha and on reservations.
- TransMotionmajorTransportation partner supporting food delivery logistics for last-mile distribution to vulnerable populations.
- The Big GardencoreCo-presenter of Nurture Omaha Farm Stands, a collaborative initiative bringing fresh produce to underserved communities.
- Metropolitan Community CollegemajorPartner for Taco Fest 2026; provides parking shuttle service at South Campus for event attendees.
- Metropolitan Community College - Institute for the Culinary ArtscoreCollaboration partner for K-12 Culinary Program curriculum development, aligning cooking activities with classroom objectives.
- TogethercoreCollaborative partner in K-12 Culinary Program curriculum development for schools and community locations.
- SodexomajorCreighton University's dining services provider contributing healthy food for Food Pharmacy program participants.
- Local Food Service BusinessesminorConnections to local businesses for Culinary Advancement Program job placement and career development for food service industry.
- Government, Nonprofit, and Community-level SupportersmajorExpansive network of partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations strengthening financial and programmatic collaborations over nearly 10 years.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Whispering Roots competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit focused on doubling SNAP benefits at farmers markets and improving affordability of fresh produce. Directly comparable to Whispering Roots' SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks acceptance at Nurture Omaha Farm Stands.
- Cultivate Kansas City: Kansas City nonprofit supporting urban agriculture and food systems through grower training, community gardens, and food access. Comparable Midwestern urban-ag nonprofit with similar climate constraints.
- Local Matters: Columbus, OH nonprofit delivering food education, cooking classes, and food access programs to underserved communities. Comparable in scale and integrated education-plus-access approach.
- The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based nonprofit combining food access, nutrition education, urban agriculture, and healthy retail initiatives. Highly comparable to Whispering Roots' integrated food-access-plus-education model, though operating at larger regional scale.
- The Big Garden: Omaha-area faith-based nonprofit operating community gardens and farm-stand programs across Nebraska. Direct local peer and active co-presenter of Whispering Roots' Nurture Omaha Farm Stands.
- FoodCorps: National nonprofit placing service members in schools to deliver food education, garden-based learning, and healthy school meals. Direct analog to Whispering Roots' K-12 Culinary Program and school-garden footprint.
- DC Central Kitchen: Washington, D.C. nonprofit that pairs food distribution to underserved populations with culinary job training for adults facing barriers to employment. Closely mirrors Whispering Roots' Culinary Advancement Program plus food-distribution combination.
- Fresh Approach: Bay Area nonprofit combining urban agriculture, mobile farmers' markets, and nutrition education in food-insecure communities. Strong match for Whispering Roots' urban-ag-plus-farm-stand model.
- Reap Food Group: Madison, WI nonprofit connecting farms, food, and community through cooking education, farm-to-school programming, and food access. Mirrors the school-garden, culinary-class, and farm-stand combination.
Emerging players
- Alice Waters / Edible Schoolyard Project: National network supporting school gardens and food education curricula. Comparable in K-12 culinary/garden programming focus, though it does not run the food-distribution and clinical-nutrition programs that distinguish Whispering Roots.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Whispering Roots social profiles
Digital presenceWhispering Roots compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Whispering Roots financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Whispering Roots leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Whispering Roots funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Whispering Roots M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Whispering Roots
What does Whispering Roots do?
Whispering Roots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grows fresh produce through aquaponics, hydroponics, aquaculture, and urban agriculture, then channels that food and accompanying nutrition education to underserved communities in Omaha, Nebraska. Its core offerings include food access programs (Food Pharmacy, Thanksgiving Meals, Farm Stands), nutrition and cooking classes, K-12 culinary and agriculture/STEM curriculum, and community garden resources. Programs are designed for individuals and families facing food insecurity, K-12 students, healthcare-referred patients, and Native American communities.
Is Whispering Roots a public or private company?
Whispering Roots is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Whispering Roots founded?
Whispering Roots was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Whispering Roots based?
Whispering Roots is headquartered in Omaha, United States, in the North America region.
How does Whispering Roots make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are event Revenue, merchandise Sales and amazon Wishlist Donations.
Who are Whispering Roots's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wholesome Wave, Cultivate Kansas City, Local Matters, The Food Trust, The Big Garden, FoodCorps, DC Central Kitchen, Fresh Approach and Reap Food Group. Alice Waters / Edible Schoolyard Project is listed as an emerging player.
Does Whispering Roots have an API?
No public API is recorded for Whispering Roots.
What industry is Whispering Roots in?
Whispering Roots's product category is Nonprofit Food Access and Nutrition Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAI, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAH, Environmental Education & Outreach. Its NAICS code is 62421 and its SIC code is 700.