Experience Nebraska’s Eco‑Friendly Lifestyle: Sustainable Eats, Artisan Crafts, Wildlife Conservation, and Green Stays
Breakfast: Zen Coffee Company
Zen Coffee Company operates as a 100 % waste‑free café, sourcing beans directly from farmers, importers, and roasters who adhere to ethical practices. Their in‑house baked goods guarantee freshness, while all utensils and packaging are biodegradable. Waste is either composted or recycled, in line with EPA guidelines for sustainable food service.
Activity: Benson Soap Mill at Daisy Jones’ Locker
Benson Soap Mill transforms surplus ingredients from local restaurants, coffee shops, and farms into high‑quality, handmade soaps. The duo produces the soap on site in the basement of Daisy Jones’ Locker, offering both on‑site and online purchasing options.
Lunch: Greenbelly
With locations throughout the Omaha area, Greenbelly serves salads, soups, sandwiches, and grilled pizza using ingredients sourced from regional farms. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its 100 % compostable corn‑based containers and waste‑reduction policies.
Activity: Fontenelle Forest
Explore hiking trails at Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, and learn about its raptor recovery program. The initiative focuses on conserving eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, and vultures through statewide education and rehabilitation efforts.
Activity: Salt Creek Mercantile
Just 20 minutes outside the metro area lies Salt Creek Mercantile in Ashland, where visitors can browse handmade kitchen pottery, artisanal soaps, hand‑poured candles, paper‑wrapped dried‑flower bundles, handwoven blankets, and a growing selection of sustainable home goods.
Supper: Dante
Return to Omaha for dinner at Dante, where Chef Strawhecker crafts modern Italian cuisine from local, seasonal ingredients. His menu showcases the farm‑to‑table philosophy that has earned the restaurant acclaim in the region.
Stay: Element Omaha Midtown Crossing
The Element Hotel, built with green principles from the ground up, maximizes recycled materials in its design and incorporates eco‑friendly features throughout. Guests can charge vehicles on site and rent bicycles nearby to explore Omaha’s midtown and downtown areas.
