Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird recently announced that the first Local Food Challenge was a major hit. This initiative encouraged businesses, schools, and restaurants to buy food from local farmers.
During the challenge, 21 groups placed 289 orders with 38 regional suppliers, spending over $595,000 on local food. “Eating local not only enhances our meals but also supports our community,” Gaylor Baird shared.
Kim Morrow, Chief Sustainability Officer for Lincoln, pointed out an important issue: despite being a top agricultural state, Lincoln imports 90% of its food. That’s around 1.6 million pounds each day. This reliance costs the region more than $1.1 billion each year. Morrow added, “If every resident spent just $5 a week on local products, it could bring $91 million back to our local farms.”
Working with Lone Tree Foods and Robinette Farms, the city connected participants with quality food from within a 250-mile radius of Lincoln. Each organization tailored their choices to their needs and received recognition for their local purchases throughout the 18-week program.
In a broader context, the Local Food Challenge reflects a growing trend across the U.S. Many cities are prioritizing local sourcing to boost their economies and reduce their carbon footprints. In many cases, community support for local food initiatives has risen sharply, with discussions trending on social media about the benefits of eating local.
Overall, efforts like this not only help celebrate local produce but also foster connections within the community. For more information, check out the details here.
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