Sectors of the Food System

Jars of honey. Photo by Russell Shaffer

Where Food Comes From

Production

From large-scale ranching to gardening to urban farming, production is the science, art, and work of cultivating land, growing crops, raising livestock, as well as hunting, fishing, or foraging.

A farmer looks at his produce. Photo by Russell Shaffer

Raise it up and Wrap it Up

Processing

From cutting meat, baking breads, or freezing or canning fruits and vegetables, processing turns raw ingredients into products that are more valuable or useful to customers.

Assistant Dairy Plant Manager Mary Underwood pours in the coloring and flavor for the 100 gallons of Dairy Store 4-H Clover Mint is being made at Food Innovation Center on Nebraska Innovation Campus. July 18, 2022. Photo by Craig Chandler

From Our House to Yours

Marketing & Distribution

NERFSI collaborates with producers on marketing and finding new venues to sell through, like Nebraska MarketMaker, farm-to-institution programs, and direct-to-consumer outlets.

A man works on his laptop computer. Photo by Russell Shaffer

Farm to Market to Table

Consumption & Food Access

Consumption and food access is about people getting the food they need in a way that is safe, affordable, and respectful of their culture.

An aisle of a grocery store. Photo by Russell Shaffer

The Responsible Steward

Resource Management

Resource Management is about using community and business resources like land, water, soil, plants, food, and created materials wisely, efficiently, and conservatively.

After preparing the soil, Rabaka Grung of Omaha plants cucumber seedlings at Cooper Farm in Omaha, Nebraska July 21, 2020. Photo by Gregory Nathan