Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska (BFBLN) celebrates its 20th anniversary of connecting local food producers and consumers in the Cornhusker State. Annual membership enrollment for farmers and ranchers, food producers, farmers markets and grocery stores, restaurants and other food businesses across the state is now open until Feb. 5.
Since its introduction to Nebraska in 2006, BFBLN has focused on strengthening local food systems in rural communities by making Nebraskans more aware of the availability of local foods, and connecting local producers with a wider audience of consumers.
“At Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska, we work to cultivate a future for Nebraska’s family farms by expanding the market for locally produced foods,” said Michelle Garwood, BFBLN’s program coordinator. “If we’re going to keep farming, we have to be creative, and we have to diversify, and we have to find ways to tap into the local food market more.”
The perks of membership include a listing in the annually published Local Food Guide (distributed throughout the Nebraska), a membership profile on the BFBLN website, a link to the interactive map where visitors can look up local producers in their area, BFBLN signage, and a number of educational trainings focused on helping you more effectively and efficiently get your products in the hands of Nebraskans.
For individuals and businesses not directly marketing food products, six different levels of sponsorships are also available.
In addition to supporting food producers and distributors, BFBLN also offers consumers multiple educational tools to help them make the most out of their regional foods — from local recipe boxes to gardening resources to sustainable agriculture tips and more — highlighting its mission to create healthy Nebraskans by creating healthy food systems.
“We’re educating on the social, environmental and economic benefits of eating locally, and improving wellness and quality of life by promoting healthy, in-season eating,” said Garwood. “Your food is better because the supply chain is much shorter. But then so much more money is also staying in our state, and it’s going to go back to those producers so they can keep doing what they’re doing.”
Membership for one year costs $25-$150, depending on the type of business, and the enrollment window closes Feb. 5. Find more details at buylocalnebraska.org.
For additional information, contact Michelle Garwood at mgarwood3@unl.edu.
