Lincoln businesses, organizations spend nearly $600,000 in Mayor's inaugural food challenge

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Twenty-one organizations spent nearly $600,000 on Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird’s 2025 Local Food Challenge.

Gaylor Baird on Thursday thanked those organizations for contributing to the success of the inaugural food challenge, which encouraged businesses, schools, restaurants and institutions to source food from local producers.

The 21 organizations placed 289 orders with 38 regional farmers and suppliers, spending $595,009 on local food products during the program, which ran from July through October.

“When we eat local food, we not only taste the difference, we make a real difference,” Gaylor Baird said in a press release. “The Mayor’s Local Food Challenge helps build a vibrant food future that benefits our environment and economy, while embracing the proud Nebrask