Choice Food Pantry Delivers Quality With Excellence

The commitment to excellence of the Choice Food Distribution team was recognized in a significant way when the program received an A+ food safety rating from the Food Bank of the Heartland following its annual audit.

This top mark affirms that the pantry meets and exceeds industry standards for quality, cleanliness, and process management. Behind the rating lies careful record-keeping, teamwork, and a culture that ties every detail back to dignity for all.

“We measure our performance in various ways to ensure we are honoring our commitment to excellence,” explained Amy Holmes, Chief Operating Officer. “Audits like the one performed by the Food Bank keep us accountable not only to our partners, but to the community members we serve. Achieving excellence through this audit allows us to now focus even more on strengthening relationships, exploring new food sources, and continuing to improve customer service.”

For the Food Distribution team, the achievement reflects steady preparation and the power of strong, consistent habits. Payden Kuhn, Food Sourcing Coordinator, shared: “ We keep high standards every day, so we were fully prepared for the audit. Cleanliness, organization, and teamwork ensured we could earn the A+ rating—and more importantly, create a pantry space where community members feel safe and welcome.”

That teamwork includes staff, volunteers, and Fresh Start job training participants, whose daily presence is essential to operations. Fresh Start participants are responsible for stocking shelves, organizing food bags, unloading trucks, and maintaining a clean pantry environment. As the Food Distribution Director, Jimmy King, said: “We couldn’t operate the program without our Fresh Starts. They are here six days a week, setting the tone for volunteers and new participants. Every day we focus on one soft skill—communication, consistency, work ethic, reliability, or attitude—to help them stay goal-focused, both inside and outside of work.”

Looking back at the work leading toward the A+, Jimmy framed the milestone as both a reflection and a renewal: “Our community deserves a clean, safe environment and the dignity that comes with it. This rating validates that we are doing our part, and it reminds us of what’s important. Excellence isn’t perfection, it’s progress. That progress inspires our team to keep getting better and to pass that mindset along to every new person who joins us.”

For Heart Ministry Center, excellence is more than a standard; it is a responsibility that touches every person who walks through our doors. The A+ in food safety is a tangible symbol of that commitment, and a reminder that at the heart of operations, the mission is always clear: to provide food, healthcare, and a way forward to those experiencing severe poverty in the Omaha area.