Why Nebraska Food Systems?
You don’t have to be a farmer to be interested in where your food comes from and how it gets to the dinner table. Nebraska’s status as one of the world’s leading agricultural centers positions our state well to have a major impact on producers and consumers in regions across the state.
Local and regional food systems bring value to communities by
- generating economic development
- creating relationships between residents, farmers and businesses
- preserving and protecting farm land
- supporting healthy lifestyles
The Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative is committed to...
Inclusivity
Creating spaces that are inviting to all, and proactively seeking and engaging non-traditional partners.
Shared Ownership
Fostering shared responsibility, collaborative decision making, and participation so all voices have impact.
Trustworthy Sources
Evidence-based sources of information and fact-driven decision making.
Iterative Process
A constant cycle of experimenting, learning, and adapting in order to respond to emerging needs.
Accessible Information
Clear, accessible language and data shared openly for public use.
The Five Sectors of the Nebraska Regional Food Systems
Production
Science, art, or occupation that involves cultivating land, raising crops, feeding, breeding, or raising livestock as well as hunting, fishing, or foraging. May include: gardening, specialty crop production, and urban farming.
Processing
Transformation of raw ingredients, physically or chemically, transforming into a value-added market. May include value-added processing, freezing and canning, and butcher shop.
Marketing and Distribution
Moving product from farm or processing site to consumer, including distribution and sales. May include grocery stores, food hubs, food boxes, and CSA.
Consumption
Opportunities for an individual to gain access to food in a physically safe, financially viable, and culturally competent way. May include restaurants, food pantries, food trucks, and meal assistance programs.
Resource Management
Efficient and effective deployment and allocation of community and business resources as it relates to land, water, soil, plants, food and created materials. May include conservation programs, food waste recovery, and composting.
Sector descriptions are defined by the Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Community Food Systems Program.
Meet the Team
Lisa Franzen-Castle
lfranzen2@unl.edu
Katie Kreuser
katie.kreuser@unl.edu
Ben McShane-Jewell
bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu
Rex Nelson
rex.nelson@unl.edu
John Porter
john.porter@unl.edu
Vanessa Wielenga
vwielenga2@unl.edu