The RHNI Food Hub is made up of many different programs and partnerships all with a shared goal: creating a local food system for Western Nevada that is accessible, equitable, and sustainable.

What’s a food system? It’s the way that different processes influence nutrition, food, health, community development and agriculture. A food system includes the ways we produce, process, transport, and consume food.

Our belief is that a food system should serve the community and provide benefits for both producers and consumers.

Learn more about our programs at the links below

RHNI Greenhouse and Community Kitchen

Lyon County Farm to School

Farmers Markets

Dayton Solidarity Garden and Rural Springs Garden

Healthy Pantries Initiative – Coming Soon!

Lyon County Healthy Seniors – Coming Soon!

GusNIP – Coming Soon!

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Our Story

Healthy Communities Coalition began in 2002 as a prevention coalition, but in 2008 as the recession tightened its grip on our community, it became clear that we needed to do more to help our neighbors who were struggling to get enough to eat. In 2010 Healthy Communities Coalition began strategically working toward improving our local food system. After a decade of service, our connections around food – our local farmers, school partners, and pantry visitors – have become our family.

In October 2020, in the midst of the global pandemic, we were presented with the incredible opportunity to lease a 30,000 square foot commercial greenhouse facility right in our hometown. In February 2021, we signed the lease on what is now the RHNI Greenhouse and future site of our Community Kitchen. This property and the potential it holds represent another step towards reaching our goal of a local food system.

Currently, Healthy Communities Coalition manages three food pantries serving nearly 3,600 people and distributing over 100,000 pounds of food each month. In partnership with Lyon County school district, we facilitate a thriving year-round school garden program at 6 elementary and middle schools.  We host a farmers market during the summer months to create connections between local farmers and community members. We also promote gardening, self-sustainability, and healthy eating through our Dayton Solidarity Garden and Silver Stage Community Garden.

It’s time to do more to improve food security and sustainability in our region. That’s why we are working to improve our food system for rural Nevadans. The challenges faced by our neighbors necessitate that we continue to find new solutions to increase food access. Together, area farmers, school, agencies, non-profits, businesses and volunteers are working to strengthen our local food system. Our to create economic opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs; expand access to healthy, affordable food for local residents; and meet growing demand for healthy, local food. Food is an important part of culture and identity, and we strive to provide nourishment, but also a place to belong and grow.

Visit Community Roots Garden Center, Healthy Communities’ non-profit nursery that benefits our food hub programs.

Elements of the Healthy Food Hub in the Lyon County region:

USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan comments on the Healthy Food Hub developing in the Lyon region: