Individuals

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.

Get Involved

Though the Mayor's Local Food 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.

  Use the Mayor’s Local Food Challenge Promotional Flyer(PDF, 739KB) to share more information with potential participants.

• 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.

  2026 Challenge Participants