NLFN Partners
The Nebraska Local Foods Network (NLFN) is a collaboration of Nebraskans working together to encourage and facilitate the increased production and consumption of local foods. The NLFN strives to build stronger communities, healthier lives and a cleaner environment.
A large, mostly unmet demand for local food products exists across the United States. This demand is driven on the consumer side by a desire to consume fresher products, have more confidence in the safely of their food, support local economies, reduce food transportation miles, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This demand is creating opportunities for new and existing food producers to engage in higher-value markets. However, challenges exist that need to be addressed to grow the local foods movement in Nebraska. The NLFN has divided into three subcommittees and is working to address these challenges.
Focus of the three subcommittees:
Production - increase the number of small- to medium-sized farmers and ranchers producing a consistent, high quality and reliable supply of local foods and value-added products.
Nutrition/Education - increase the consumption of minimally processed local foods and educating consumers on proper utilization of local foods.
Marketing/Distribution - identify barriers that hinder small and mid-sized producers from marketing and distributing local foods and work to link producers with larger markets.
________________________________________________
The NLFN effort is coordinated by the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative and the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, working in collaboration with:
Community Crops
Center for Rural Affairs
Metro Community College-Culinary Program
NCR-Sustainable Ag Research & Education
Nebraska Department of Education
Nebraska Environmental Action Collation
Nebraska Food Cooperative
Nebraska RC&Ds
Nebraska Restaurant Association
Nebraska State Department of Agriculture
Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society
Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery
University of Nebraska Partners
~UNL Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications
~Buy Fresh Buy Local
~UNL Kimmel Education and Research Center
~UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
~UNL Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences
~Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society
~University of Nebraska Extension
~The Food Processing Center
~University Dining-Good Fresh Local (GFL)
-
Nebraska Producers in the NLFN
A list of the NLFN producers is currently being compiled....check back at a later date.
NLFN Meetings Minutes
NLFN Partner Downloads
