This post was updated on May 18, 2021, to reflect the most up-to-date information.
For years, the greater Omaha area has prioritized using local, sustainably grown produce at our restaurants, farmers’ markets and even our grocery stores. Because, honestly, with Nebraska’s bountiful and delicious harvest—there isn’t a reason not to!
There are plenty of ways to get your hands on local produce in the Omaha area, whether it’s by joining a small farm’s CSA program (Community Supported Agriculture) or picking up a box of fresh fruits and vegetables from a local business each week. Enjoy!
For even more places to get local food, baked goods, meat and more, check out our articles “Where to get the Best Local Produce, Meat and Eggs in Omaha and the Surrounding Areas” and “Farmers Markets in the Omaha and Council Bluffs Area [Updated 2021]“.
CSAs
Daniels Produce
Owned by husband and wife team, Andy and Tannie Daniels, this hometown farm has been operating for over 40 years. Today, they raise close to 600 acres of vegetables every year—80% of which is dispersed throughout Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and as far as Texas and Florida. Their CSA program gives you the chance to purchase a “share” of their farm and in return, receive a weekly bag of local seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, jams, jellies, grains, cheeses and eggs. Click here to read through all of the many share options available and to sign up!
Big Muddy Urban Farm
Photo courtesy of Big Muddy Urban Farm
Big Muddy Urban Farm was a concept that came from seven different young farmers in 2011. Today, Big Muddy is an Omaha-area destination for produce and agriculture education, hosting hundreds of educational events at the farm every year. Support them (and bring home some great produce) by joining their CSA program! This year, their summer CSA runs from June 3rd through September 25th, with both full and half box options! Learn more about the program and get to know their farmers by clicking here.
No More Empty Pots
No More Empty Pots is a grassroots non-profit corporation that connects individuals and groups to improve self-sufficiency, regional food security and economic resilience of urban and rural communities through advocacy and action. To help support this effort, No More Empty Pots collaborates with an array of public and private organizations, businesses, communities, individuals, and entrepreneurs. Their Community Harvest program offers an easy, hassle-free and accessible way to get your hands on fresh produce! With their CSA, you have more customization and personalization options, offering no-commitment subscriptions and the ability to browse for additional products to add to your box. They are also incredibly affordable, offering prepared meals for $7 each and CSA boxes for $25 each. Click here for all the information.
Shadow Brook Farm
This small and diversified vegetable farm outside of Lincoln provides a wide variety of organic, GMO-free produce to customers all throughout the area. This year, they are offering a flexible-style farm share program that allows you to pick exactly what type of items you want each week. That way, you can select the items you and your family love, including veggies, goat dairy products and pork, instead of items you won’t use as much. Click here to register.
Wenninghoff’s
Photo courtesy of Wenninghoff’s
Wenninghoff’s Farm is a third-generation, family-owned farm dedicated to growing and harvesting the best-tasting fruits and vegetables in Nebraska. Since 1956, locals have come to peruse the mouthwatering selection of produce, plants, honey, jam, meat, eggs and other local eats. They have several different CSA options and add-ons available so you can customize your share to work best for you and your household. Plus, since your weekly bag of produce is always an assortment—you’ll get to choose new recipes and stop making the same meals over and over. Click here to fill out an application.
Old Tree Farm
Located in Carson, Iowa, Old Tree Farm has been an Omaha and Council Bluffs staple since 1941. Corn, soybeans, cattle, chickens and hogs have all been a part of this family farm’s history. But over the past few years, the farm has worked to transition a portion of the farm to grow vegetables and fruit using organic methods. Their CSA program will allow you to support the farm while also receiving some of the freshest organically grown produce all season long. You can sign up to join the program here. And if you’re feeling generous, you can also donate a portion of a share, so an Omaha family in need can enjoy fresh, healthy produce as well!
Other Local Produce Sources
Exist Green
This zero-waste market and eco-boutique is located in the heart of Dundee. Here, you can purchase everything from local produce and bulk non-perishables to eco-friendly beauty products and everything you need to lead a more green lifestyle, like reusable straws, produce bags, jars and more! Right now, they have a produce menu that you can peruse before placing an order online and picking up right outside their doors. As an added bonus, every single item on their menu lists where it was grown—so you can make sure you’re getting fresh, local fruits and veggies! Check out their current offerings here.
Lone Tree Foods
Photo courtesy of Elayne Woods Photography via Lone Tree Foods
Lone Tree Foods dedicates itself to connecting the local community to the best Nebraska farms. Obviously it can be difficult to travel to nearby farms yourself, so Lone Tree Foods delivers the best harvest to a convenient local pick up stop in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa. Just place your order online and then head to the stop to pick it up! You can also sign up for their popular Nebraska Box subscription, where they’ll choose a variety of produce for you and ship it straight to your door. Click here to start shopping!
Pam Nelson Produce
For over 12 years, the Nelson family has been supplying Omaha and the surrounding areas with farm-fresh produce. And in 2019, they opened their farm to the public to help bridge the gap between rural and urban Nebraska. While we can’t head there and pick out your own produce right now, Pam Nelson Produce is giving us the opportunity to pick up a box packed full of goodies every week. Some of the products you can expect would be honey, milk, bread, homemade sauces, meat, eggs, and onions—and even more produce as the season progresses. Their boxes aren’t ready for purchase yet, but you can follow them on Facebook to stay updated.
What did we miss?
If you know of a local farm or business that is currently offering CSAs or produce pick up—let us know so that we can add them to our list!