GROW Nebraska® Foundation and Buy Nebraska Blog

Increasing local food distribution options is one of the goals of the USDA grant awarded to GROW Nebraska. GROW Nebraska is working with ag-producers and ag-cooperatives throughout the state to brand their products, distribute to new regional markets and build wholesale business opportunities.   One local Nebraska business now has global customers thanks to GROW Nebraska and comments on the popular Dr. Oz show. Grain Place Foods, Inc. went from selling 10-20 two pound bags of hulled barley a week to receiving 600 orders in just three days after Dr. Oz touted hulled barley. Potential customers were easily able to find them on GROW Nebraska’s Amazon store. Christian Evans says this is a great example of how their partnership with GROW Nebraska has benefited their company. GROW also helps create awareness of the economic and cultural value of buying local to have transparency in food sources. Grain Place Foods, Inc. provides high quality, organic grains ...

Kearney, Neb. – Congratulations, Cooper’s Best ! On March 15, 2018 at GROW Nebraska’s MarkeTech Conference, Susan Zink from Cooper’s Best accepted a trophy for the 2018 Russ’s Market Best Local Product Award. GROW Nebraska, an educational 501©3 nonprofit, and Russ’s Market teamed up to identify the best local company in the state, and contestants were judged on innovation, promotion, sales, and local involvement. Nominees for the award were accepted until February 28. “After sharing the list with our category managers, Cooper's Best  stood out,” said Marty Jarvis, Director of Marketing for Russ’s Market. “We have worked well with Susan Zink and her husband [Mark] for  years.” “Cooper’s Best is the perfect example of a company that is working to build up our state, create jobs, and expand into new markets,” said Janell Anderson-Ehrke, CEO of GROW Nebraska. “Susan is a charter member of GROW Nebraska, and we’ve been able to see first-hand their growth and dedication...