LINCOLN, Neb — Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird expressed gratitude to community organizations for their role in the success of the first Mayor’s Local Food Challenge, which encouraged sourcing food from local producers. The program, running from July to October, saw 21 organizations place 289 orders with 38 regional farmers and suppliers, spending nearly $600,000 on local food products.
“When we eat local food, we not only taste the difference, we make a real difference,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “The Mayor’s Local Food Challenge helps build a vibrant food future that benefits our environment and economy, while embracing the proud Nebraska tradition of knowing and celebrating where our food comes from.”
The city collaborated with Lone Tree Foods of Lincoln and Robinette Farms of Martell to connect participants with high-quality food produced within a 250-mile radius of Lincoln. Participants earned recognition based on the number of local food orders placed during the 18-week program…