Despite being a top agricultural producer, most of the food consumed in Northeast Nebraska is imported. In fact, consumers spend more than $800 million per year on food sourced outside of the region. 1.8% of Northeast Nebraska farms sold $2.6 million of farm products directly to household consumers in 2022. This is 10% fewer farms than five years before.
According to Ken Meter, author and food systems expert from the Crossroads Resource Center, farms in this region report the highest average income in Nebraska with nearly 13,000 farms averaging a combined $7.2 billion in annual sales. Still, a third lose money. If each Northeast Nebraska resident purchased (or had purchased for them) $5 of food each week directly from some farm in the region, this would generate $65 million of new farm income for the region.
“Feeding Northeast Nebraska with Ken Meter,” a community session, was hosted on Nov. 6 in Norfolk, Nebraska. His presentation provided a snapshot of the agricultural economy in the Northeast Nebraska region and provides a starting point for conversations about strengthening local food systems.
Access the slides from Ken’s presentation here. | Para la versión en español, oprima aquí.
Partners for this event included the Center for Rural Affairs, Crossroads Resource Center, Heartland Food Business Coalition, Nebraska Organizing Project, Norfolk Farmers Market, and Rural Prosperity Nebraska. All are equal opportunity providers.
