For companies evaluating where to expand or relocate, the Greater Omaha region continues to surface as a compelling option. And Conagra Brands offers a clear example. 

The food company behind brands such as Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, Reddi-Wip, Duncan Hines, Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP and dozens of others have a significant operational presence in Omaha, anchored by a campus along the Missouri River. But the decision to invest heavily in the region goes beyond geography. It reflects a combination of workforce access, community integration and a growing food culture that aligns directly with the company’s business. 

Proximity to culture and talent plays a critical role in how the company manages its Supply Chain, R&D, IT, Finance and other critical areas of the company.  

“We’re a food company, we want to be tied to the food culture,” said Craig Weiss, SVP and Chief Product Supply Officer at Conagra Brands. “Our products are developed based on consumer needs and interests and the latest trends in culture and society.”  

A Food Ecosystem That Fuels Innovation 

Omaha’s evolving culinary scene has become more than a lifestyle perk. For Conagra, it’s a strategic advantage. 

Weiss pointed to the company’s connection to local restaurants and culinary professionals as a source of inspiration and innovation. 

That connection is reinforced by talent pipelines that keep expertise rooted locally. Conagra Development Chef Matthew Moser represents that bridge between Omaha’s restaurant community and Conagra’s product development efforts, having transitioned from the local restaurant industry into a corporate role. 

Omaha is not simply retaining talent, it’s circulating it in ways that strengthen both local businesses and large employers, showcasing a kind of talent mobility. 

Workforce Development Built Into the Community 

Beyond talent attraction, Omaha offers a deeply integrated approach to workforce development. Conagra actively participates in that ecosystem, partnering with educational institutions and local programs to build future pipelines. 

Conagra Brands has people on university advisory boards and initiatives like Future Foodies, where Conagra introduces students at local schools to careers in food science and manufacturing.  

For business leaders, that level of employer engagement reduces long-term hiring risk. It demonstrates a region where companies are not solely dependent on external talent inflow but are actively shaping their own pipelines. 

A Community That Works With You 

Omaha’s appeal also lies in how Conagra supports the broader community through volunteerism, support of hunger initiatives such as Shine The Light On Hunger and other investments to support the community. 

“Our employees are eager and energized to go out and support events in the community, and our leaders encourage it,” Weiss said, noting partnerships with food banks, nonprofits and organizations like Foodbank For The Heartland.  

Such civic engagement signals a stable operating environment where corporate presence and community alignment reinforce each other rather than compete. 

Quality of Place Matters 

Conagra’s Omaha campus illustrates how quality of place can enhance both employee experience and brand presence. 

“We have a beautiful downtown campus right next to the river and the lake,” Weiss said. Our 1,300 employees and anyone in the area can enjoy walking trails and open spaces accessible to the public, reinforcing the company’s visibility and connection to the region. 

Conagra’s setting supports recruitment and retention. For communities, it reinforces the idea that corporate campuses can contribute to shared spaces rather than exist behind closed doors. 

A Strategic Fit for Growth 

Conagra’s continued investment in Omaha reflects a broader truth about the region: it offers a balanced equation of talent, culture and livability that aligns with long-term business needs. 

Omaha is strategically aligned with companies that depend on innovation, workforce development and community integration to grow. 

And as Conagra’s presence demonstrates, those advantages are not theoretical. They are operational.