Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative

Vegetables at a stand at a farmers market.

Fresh. Affordble. Local.

Food connects Nebraska’s farms, families, and communities—and that connection is at the heart of our work. The Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative helps producers, educators, and community leaders strengthen local food system with hands-on programs and partnerships. From growing markets to connecting farmers with consumers, NERFSI gives you tools to expand access to fresh, affordable food while building long-lasting food systems that support local economies and healthier communities across Nebraska.

A closeup view of two girls pouring pasta and green vegetables into bowls.

Cottage Food Law

BY LOCALS, FOR LOCALS

Safely and legally sell homemade foods directly to your customers from your home, fairs, festivals, or online.

A shopping cart filled with fresh vegetables, fruit and milk.

Double Up Food Bucks

TWO FOR ONE

Match fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day, so you and your family get twice as much healthy food.

A male student and two female students sit around a table, with their sack lunches out, eating lunch in a cafeteria.

Farm to School

FEEDING OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE

Embraces the three-part system—classroom, cafeteria, and community—to help children learn well and eat well.

Patrons stand in line at a vegetable stand at a farmers market.

Growing Together Nebraska

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

A SNAP-Ed funded, donation garden project that increases food security and promotes healthy food access for you and your families.

Rows of fresh fruits and vegetables on the shelves in a grocery store.

Healthy Food Access

PROMOTING LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH

Consistently find, choose, use, and afford nutritious and safe food for increased nutrition security.

A woman talks with two men in front of an industrial walk-in freezer with a sign reading "food" at the top of the freezer.

MarketMaker

FIND, CONNECT, BUILD

A platform connecting agriculture producers with potential customers and markets.

Three women and one man work in a garden, digging in the soil to plant vegetables.

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

KNOW HOW. KNOW NOW.

Nebraska Extension educators share their knowledge of science-based horticulture practices and education.

A Native American woman stands in front of a display of a season-based medicine wheel, pointing out what each season means.

Native American Coalition

HONORING THE PAST. CREATING THE FUTURE.

Build bridges between tribal and non-tribal communities by bringing Native American worldviews and cultures to greater Nebraska.

A man and woman sit among rows of vegetables, harvesting crops, in an urban garden.

Urban Agriculture

GREEN AMONG THE GRAY

Assisting urban farmers and home growers alike, while engaging communities to build local food systems.

Contact

BEN JEWELL

RPN Extension Educator
402-269-2301
bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu