Local Food From Local Farms: Benefits and Opportunities Casey Foster Nebraska Department of Agriculture Ag Promotion Coordinator – Value-Added August 7, 2007

Return on Production  Returns to the producer  Loaf of 1.39 = 5 Cents  1 Gallon of $2.89 = 1 Dollar  1 lb of Sirloin = 68 Cents  1 lb of $3.29 = 40 Cents  1 Dozen = 52 Cents  Cost absorbed by marketing, shipping, handling, packaging, taxes, etc.  $8 meal = 39 cents to the producers pocket (4.8% of the cost) 39 cents to the producers pocket (4.8% of the cost) Source: “Farmers Share Luncheon.” Tri-State Neighbor 13 July 2001, sec. B

Marketing Kit  Components Include:  Nebraska Marketing Plan  Nebraska Our Best to You stickers (10/box)  Price Cards (100/box)  Logo-embossed plastic bags (200/box)  CD includes  Nebraska Our Best to You logo  Magazine and Newspaper Advertisements  Cost = $25/kit

Ag Promotion Programs  Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program  Low-income senior citizens receive coupons to purchase fresh, locally-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from registered Nebraska produce vendors  Coupons are available June – August  Seniors can sign-up to receive coupons at a local senior center  Farmers must register with NDA to accept coupons  Nebraska = $246,775 Total Federal Funds

Specialty Crop Block Grant  Nebraska = $104,133 for FY 2007  Eligible projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops  Focus:  Research  Marketing  Education  Buy Local Programs  Other areas  More funds available for FY 2008

Centennial Mall Garden Market

Ag Resources  Nebraska Our Best to You Marketing Kit  Nebraska Fresh Produce Model  Guide to Nebraska Fresh Produce Directory  Nebraska Food and Meat Directory  A Research Study Guide for Nebraska Value- Added Companies Brochure

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Ag Promotion & Development Division P.O. Box Lincoln, NE Ph: Web Site: