Local Food for Schools

Final Round of Local Food for Schools (LFS) Funding Now Available

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is pleased to announce the final round of funding through the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program. This initiative supports schools in strengthening local food purchasing and addressing supply chain challenges. All funds in this round must be used between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis and only for completed, approved purchases. Reimbursement requests must be submitted quarterly, with deadlines as follows:

• First deadline: September 10, 2025

• Final deadline: January 10, 2026

Eligible expenses are limited to unprocessed or minimally processed local food items. Funds may not be used for prepared or heavily processed foods, labor, supplies, or administrative costs.

Stay tuned for upcoming training opportunities for schools interested in participating in the LFS program. These sessions will help schools navigate local procurement, fulfill reporting requirements, and provide a forum to ask questions and share best practices.

Click here to view the list of LFS participants for School Year 2025!

Enter Your Quarterly Claims Here!

This map shows Nebraska LFS participants, including: (1) schools with funds available to spend in SY2025, and (2) vendors who have sold allowable local products to schools since August 2023. If you are a producer and would like to sell products to eligible schools and/or be added to this map, please complete the producer interest form below or email NDE.LFS@nebraska.gov.