Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I purchase local food?

  • 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.
  • 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, Thursday Farmers Market in Fallbrook, or the Hub Farmers Market on Wednesday. Search for other farmers 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 Restaurants - Support local food by dining at restaurants that prioritize sourcing from nearby farms.

Can I use SNAP benefits at farmers markets?

Where can I learn how to grow food?

Where are community gardens located in Lincoln?

  • There are community gardens spread throughout Lincoln. Visit the Community Crops website to view community garden locations in Lincoln. To join a garden, reach out to Community Crops for availability and more information. Gardener applications are open November-March annually.

Can I sell produce from my home or community garden in Lincoln?

  • Yes! Lincoln's municipal code allows residents and community gardens to grow and sell unprocessed produce directly from residential properties. These updates expand opportunities for local food access, entrepreneurship, and community connection. Sales must follow specific guidelines.

Can I run an urban garden as a home-based business in Lincoln?

  • Yes! Urban gardening is recognized as a permitted home occupation in Lincoln. This means residents can grow and sell unprocessed produce from their residential property without needing to limit the garden size or screen it from view.

How can I prevent food waste at home?

  • Before heading to the store, check your refrigerator and pantry. Note items that are oldest and should be used first following the "first in, first out” rule. Search the USDA's MyPlate Kitchen for recipes with specific ingredients you want to use.
  • Understand food product dates, such as “best if, sell by, use-by" by referring to the USDA's Food Production Dating website. These labels describe the period when food is of the best quality rather than serving as indicators of safety.
  • Learn how to optimally store different fruits and vegetables for longer freshness. For example, bananas should be stored separately from other produce since they can cause ripening. Use Save the Food's interactive storage guide, Store It, and don't miss out on other tools like meal planning resources or recipes for using scraps or food past its prime.
  • Explore the EPA's Preventing Wasted Food at Home webpage to discover the benefits of preventing food waste, tips for preventing waste, additional resources, and more. Or read the Nebraska Extensions article on preventing food waste.

How can I prevent food waste as a business?

  • Businesses can donate their food under the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996. The act provides limited liability protection for persons who make good-faith donations to nonprofits that serve needy individuals. Donations are often also eligible for enhanced tax deductions. Start by reaching out to a nonprofit that accepts food donations, such as the Food Bank of Lincoln. Donated food must be stored, prepared, packaged, displayed, and labeled in accordance with law. Visit the USDA's Donating website for more guidance.
  • Consider joining the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions to make a public commitment to reduce food loss and waste in your own operations in the United States by 50% by the year 2030.

What are the best options for handling my food waste?

  • Consult the EPA's Wasted Food Scale. The scale prioritizes actions that prevent and divert waste food from disposal and create the most environmental, economic, and societal benefits. Reducing the amount of surplus food generated is the most preferred action while sending food surplus waste to the landfill is the least preferred. Consider using the following options when handling your food waste:
    • Feed Hungry People: Donate to food banks, such as the Food Bank of Lincoln, or other charitable organizations. Before donating, check with the organization to see what types of donations they accept, their current needs, or other guidelines. Read more about the legal, safety, and tax aspects of donating food by visiting the EPA's Food Donation Basics website. Since it is not always practical to donate small quantities of produce, consider utilizing one of the other listed options.
    • Feed Animals: Some food waste can be safely fed to animals, such as chickens. Be sure to follow any regulations and guidelines regarding animal feed.
    • Composting: Organic food waste can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil for gardening and agriculture. Start your own compost by joining a composting demonstration offered by the Master Gardeners, review Nebraska Extension's other resources regarding garden compost, or the EPA guidelines on composting at home. Alternatively, consider using a local organic waste collection service.

Where can I donate fresh produce?

Where can I learn about sustainable farming practices?

  • Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society (NSAS) promotes sustainable and organic farming practices across the state. NSAS offers farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities and networking events, farm tours and local food events for the public, the annual Healthy Farms Conference, and a member-only email listserv.
  • Community Crops offers education and classes, such as workshops for farmers. Classes are free, but registration is required. Additionally, if you are a beginning farmer contact Community Crops to see if they have available land or greenhouse spaces for rent.
  • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is funded by the USDA and supports and promotes sustainable farming and ranching. They offer competitive grants and educational opportunities for producers, scientists, educators, institutions, organizations, and others exploring sustainable agriculture.

How can I begin sourcing local food for my 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.
  • Green School Farms Consulting offers technical assistance to schools and early childcare centers to help them source and promote healthy food to their students. Green School Farms Consulting works closely with Nebraska Dept of Education on Farm to School projects and is knowledgeable about the current work being done in this space in the Lincoln area. They can help you create a plan, provide coaching services for your team, create a school garden, or simply help you learn what farm to school is all about. If your organization is interested in a free orientation meeting to discuss these topics, please contact them through their website or email Gary Fehr at fehrgary@gmail.com.

What resources are available for individuals or communities facing food insecurity?

  • Center for People helps individuals achieve their basic needs, education, and professional development to move beyond poverty – to better opportunities, a better career, and a better life. The Center for People offers a variety of programs including, food and diaper security, English language learning, and financial literacy.
  • The Food Bank of Lincoln offers a unique variety of services that help people in our community, making it easier to get food where they live, work, and learn. Utilize the Food Finder to find a list of many of the Food Bank of Lincoln's partner agencies' services as well as drive-thru distributions.
  • The Gathering Place distributes free meals every day from 5 to 6 p.m. out of their house at 1448 “E” Street. Guests can enjoy their dinner in the Gathering Place's dining room or take it to-go. Everyone is welcome - no questions asked.
  • The Good Neighbor Community Center (GNCC) offers essential and emergency services, providing support to families and individuals in Lincoln and Lancaster County. GNCC programs aim to provide assistance and support to the general public as well as specific refugee and immigrant support services.
  • The Husker Pantry helps address students' food insecurities by providing free food and personal items to students enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • Little Free Pantries are pantries across Lincoln, with food and essential items to share with anyone who might need them. They are owned and hosted by community members.
  • The Lincoln Fresh produce truck travels to 15 sites in Lincoln. Anyone may access the produce and no documents or identification is needed. Lincoln Fresh is a part of Healthy Food Access (HFA), a collaborative project between Community Action and the Food Bank of Lincoln to increase access to healthy foods in Lincoln, particularly for children living in the city's highest-needs neighborhoods.
  • Matt Talbot provides beyond basic needs to embolden people to have hope. Everyone is welcome to receive a hot meal two times a day. Matt Talbot is a dedicated and united front of staff and volunteers who are working to relieve hunger, address addiction, and defeat homelessness.
  • The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to children each school day. Visit LPS's Program and Promotions to learn more about other school breakfast and lunch programs.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
  • Tabitha Meals on Wheels serves Lincoln seniors by providing hot noon meals. Recipients pay for their meals either fully or at a reduced rate based on income.
  • Women, Infant, Children Program (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

Are chickens allowed in Lincoln city limits?

  • Yes, chickens, and other fowl/small animals, including rabbits, geese, ducks, and pigeons are allowed. The city requires residents to have a permit if they own 3-20 chickens, weighing 3-5 lbs. (please note that there are space requirements based on the number of chickens you have, meaning the more chickens you have, the more space you will need). Small animals and small animal enclosures or shelters must be five feet from the property line and 50 feet or more from neighbors' houses. Permits for owning chickens in Lincoln are $50 paid annually. No roosters are allowed within city limits.
  • Review Lincoln's municipal code for more information on space and minimum distance requirements, sanitary regulations, and application and inspection procedures.
  • Visit Animal Control's Permits and Licensing page to access the Application Form for Large and/or Small Animal Permit.

Are bees allowed in Lincoln city limits?

  • Yes, bees are allowed. Hives or boxes are not permitted to be kept within 50 feet of any dwelling (besides the dwelling of the owner) or within 15 feet of lot lines, sidewalks, alleys, or other public ways. 1,500 square feet is required per hive or box.
  • Review Lincoln's municipal code for additional information on requirements and regulations on keeping bees.

Additional Resources

  • The Hawley Hamlet is a neighborhood garden in a single square residential block one mile from downtown Lincoln. Residents have transformed four-fifths of an acre from grass lawns to edible crops and native plants, growing both food and community.
  • The Southern Heights Food Forest is among the first of its kind in the nation. The two- acre space in South Lincoln is Nebraska's first publicly accessible food forest. In addition to the foraging forest guilds, the project includes a full-sized, research-based outdoor classroom for kids of all ages, an extensive pollinator garden, and over 50 community garden plots.
  • Watch the Resilient Table with Chef Nazim Khan, executive chef at Bryan Medical Center, for mouthwatering recipes that highlight the use of locally sourced products and explore the numerous benefits of incorporating them into your meals. View more recipes by downloading Chef’s cookbook, Cooking for Wellness: Recipes for Health & Healing.

If your organization should be represented in the above information, please reach out to aoetting@lincoln.ne.gov.

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