Buy Local Food

Lincolnites spend $1.1 billion each year on food sourced from outside its region, according to the Lincoln Metro, Nebraska Local Farm and Food Economy report, compiled by author and food systems expert Ken Meter. This is a significant missed opportunity to reinvest in the local food economy and support our local farmers and producers. In fact, the report stated that if every Lincoln metro resident spent $5 a week on local food, it would generate $91 million annually for regional farms.

Fresh produce in the average grocery store travels about 1,346 miles before reaching Lincoln. This reliance on distant supply chains increases vulnerability to disruptions that can affect food availability and cost. In contrast, purchasing locally grown, seasonal food often means access to fresher and more nutritious foods, and reduced transportation emissions. Not to mention you're building a stronger, more resilient food system by creating stable markets for farmers, encouraging entrepreneurship, and contributing to broader regional economic development.

Expanding local food production and strengthening food security are key goals of the City of Lincoln's Local Food System Plan. By choosing to buy local, you are choosing to support a resilient food system that helps reduce food insecurity, supports the local economy, and protects the environment.

What You Can Do

Spending just $5 a week on local food can make a meaningful difference for farmers, businesses, and the regional economy. Here are some opportunities to get involved:

Choose to Buy Local

• Farmers Markets - There are multiple farmers markets spread across Lincoln that offer a diverse array of fresh, locally grown produce and artisanal goods. Visit the Haymarket Farmers' Market, Sunday Farmers' Market at College View, East Campus Discovery Days and Farmers Market, or the Hub Farmers Market on Wednesday. Search for other farmer's markets using Buy Fresh Buy Local – Local Farmers Markets.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) - CSAs are a great way to directly support local farmers. Consumers purchase shares in the spring and receive a portion of the farm's produce throughout the growing season. Consider joining a CSA offered by Robinette Farms, or find other CSAs using Local Harvest.
• Local Grocery Stores - A variety of grocers and retail stores in Lincoln sell local foods. Since product availability can fluctuate with the seasons, make sure to check with your grocery store to see what products, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, or artisanal goods, are sourced from nearby farms or producers. Visit Open Harvest Co-op Grocery or find more grocery and retail stores.
• Local Restaurants - Support local food by dining at restaurants that prioritize sourcing from nearby farms. Look for the Mayor's local Food Challenge window cling as an easy way to identify restaurants that are sourcing local.

Get Involved in the Mayor's Local Food Challenge

The Mayor's Local Food Challenge invites Lincoln organizations to source locally grown produce over 18 weeks. The challenge will run from July 1 to October 31. Though the challenge is meant to recognize organizations, individuals still have an important role to play. Please consider getting involved in the following ways:

• Ask your favorite restaurants, schools, or workplaces to participate in the challenge.
• Celebrate businesses participating in the challenge by supporting them financially or giving them words of encouragement. The challenge's window cling displayed at participating businesses makes it easy to identify who is involved.

What Your Organization Can Do

Organizations play a key role in strengthening the local food system. Here are ways to get involved:

Use Local Food at Your Restaurant, Grocery Store, School, or Business

• Connect with Lone Tree Foods, Nebraska's local food distributor. They connect small farms and producers to local restaurants, markets, schools, and organizations.
• Bring the farm to your table with Robinette Farms. Robinette Farms sources local food directly from their farm and other farmers and artisans in Nebraska and the surrounding region.
• Connect and find other farmers and producers through Buy Fresh Buy Local's Online Food Guide, an inventory of farms and products.

Be Recognized for Your Commitment to Local Food Through the Mayor's Local Food Challenge

The Mayor's Local Food Challenge invites Lincoln organizations to source locally grown produce over 18 weeks. The challenge runs from July 1st to October 31st, with participants engaging at different commitment levels based on the number of local food orders placed. To make it easy for organizations to source local food, this initiative is partnering with trusted food aggregators, Lone Tree Foods and Robinette Farms, who work directly with small farms to combine products and distribute them efficiently. At the end of the challenge, organizations will be recognized for their commitments. Visit the Mayor's Local Food Challenge Website to learn more and participate.