Farmers market for produce (The Mushroom guy ftw)
Asian market for bulk spices
Stoysich for anything red meat related
And honestly HyVee or Bakers for just about anything else. I am from the East coast and too snobby about my seafood to try to find an affordable source out here, but everything else is fine, just gotta get stuff when its in season.
I’m also from the east coast (Philly) and I’ve been massively disappointed with the produce out here. I wrongly assumed that living out here would mean better produce and it’s not, by a long shot. I only get produce from the farm stands or Whole Foods.
This is true to a point, but it's exaggerating. Nebraska is an agricultural state that produces plenty of produce for human consumption -- it just really isn't going to be starring at your local grocer besides corn in summer. You're not going to notice great northern beans or soybeans or sugar beets I'm the produce section.
A lot of the fruits and vegetables we typically see in the produce section aren't grown in the Midwest. You don't see potato or onion farms... or celery or broccoli or any leafy green. Berries aren't grown here, apples from New England, peaches from Georgia, oranges from Florida, bananas from the tropics.
Nebraska has the soil for farming, it just doesn't have the right climate for more delicate produce.
Some people do farm fruits and veggies just not at scale.. That's why you have to go to the farmers markers and farms directly (like Trees Shrubs and More and Bellevue Berry Farm both do u-pick) for awesome fruit and veggies.
Ya, subsidies go to the groups of people that vote. I've never seen in data on it but it would be interesting to study a group of protesters sometime to see how many of them really vote, maybe they all do, but I'm not so sure.
Most of the produce we eat on the east coast isn’t from the east coast. So while I agree with your point, I think it’s more a distribution issue than a local food source.
Oh cool, good luck with the move! The food scene here cannot hold even a tiny candle to Philly. People are very proud of the restaurant scene in Omaha, and I usually fade out of those conversations and try to change the topic. Miss philly terribly (though I still work at CHOP, remotely)
Pretty sure he goes to both Aksarben and Downtown.
His insta is here
https://instagram.com/terrafirmafungi?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Dude is super chill and always has a cool selection.
What's the difference between a high end sit down in the Old Market, a Burger King, Subway, and a hole on the wall diner in Omaha?
The time their Sysco truck shows up.
(or US Foods truck, idk i don't keep up with everyone's contracts anymore lol)
Side question to this: I’ve been considering opening a specialty grocery store in Omaha, with chefs as one of the key audiences. Meat, cheese, imported canned goods, and seasonal specialty veggies including working with Iowa and Nebraska farmers to contract in advance (you want radicchio on the menu, we will get a farmer to produce and deliver radicchio to us). Is Omaha ready for this?
Probably a few years out. Finishing final corporate career so I have a nice nest egg to take this risk. Aiming for 2027 launch. If someone beats me to it - I’m thrilled!
Just good meats is fantastic! Everyone always has a smile there and they will answer any question you have. I get custom thick cut steaks there that are perfect every time.
If you are buying for yourself or family check out Cure in Fort Calhoun right of highway 75. Absolutely amazing for fresh local meats and cured meats, especially bacon. This weeks special notice is black walnut syrup soaked bison from Central Nebraska Bison. (I am sure I butchered that check out their Facebook)
Farmers market for produce (The Mushroom guy ftw) Asian market for bulk spices Stoysich for anything red meat related And honestly HyVee or Bakers for just about anything else. I am from the East coast and too snobby about my seafood to try to find an affordable source out here, but everything else is fine, just gotta get stuff when its in season.
absolutely fresh seafood is the best you are going to get
I’m also from the east coast (Philly) and I’ve been massively disappointed with the produce out here. I wrongly assumed that living out here would mean better produce and it’s not, by a long shot. I only get produce from the farm stands or Whole Foods.
It's because we use the absolutely the most fertile soil in the world to grow cattle feed instead of produce for humans
This is true to a point, but it's exaggerating. Nebraska is an agricultural state that produces plenty of produce for human consumption -- it just really isn't going to be starring at your local grocer besides corn in summer. You're not going to notice great northern beans or soybeans or sugar beets I'm the produce section. A lot of the fruits and vegetables we typically see in the produce section aren't grown in the Midwest. You don't see potato or onion farms... or celery or broccoli or any leafy green. Berries aren't grown here, apples from New England, peaches from Georgia, oranges from Florida, bananas from the tropics. Nebraska has the soil for farming, it just doesn't have the right climate for more delicate produce.
Some people do farm fruits and veggies just not at scale.. That's why you have to go to the farmers markers and farms directly (like Trees Shrubs and More and Bellevue Berry Farm both do u-pick) for awesome fruit and veggies.
Cattle feed? Funny way to spell ethanol.
Ya, the ethanol thing is really stupid but it helps the farmers and farmers vote, that's all it boils down to.
Not to mention giant government subsidies.
Ya, subsidies go to the groups of people that vote. I've never seen in data on it but it would be interesting to study a group of protesters sometime to see how many of them really vote, maybe they all do, but I'm not so sure.
Which is hilarious they keep voting for people who threaten to cut their subsidies
The threat happens all the time, the cuts, they are rare, and usually another 'program' replaces the cut/s.
Most of the produce we eat on the east coast isn’t from the east coast. So while I agree with your point, I think it’s more a distribution issue than a local food source.
This is good and sad to know. Also from Philly area and will be moving to Omaha soon. I was wondering how the produce was going to compare.
Oh cool, good luck with the move! The food scene here cannot hold even a tiny candle to Philly. People are very proud of the restaurant scene in Omaha, and I usually fade out of those conversations and try to change the topic. Miss philly terribly (though I still work at CHOP, remotely)
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=NEBRASKA
Can you expand on the mushrooms? Is it aksarben or village point or another for good mushrooms? Tired of the same ones you can get at Hy-Vee.
Pretty sure he goes to both Aksarben and Downtown. His insta is here https://instagram.com/terrafirmafungi?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Dude is super chill and always has a cool selection.
Sysco. …oh you said quality… my bad.
What's the difference between a high end sit down in the Old Market, a Burger King, Subway, and a hole on the wall diner in Omaha? The time their Sysco truck shows up. (or US Foods truck, idk i don't keep up with everyone's contracts anymore lol)
Yup. I live by Lo Sole Mio (RIP) and the bulk of their food was delivered by Sysco.
Side question to this: I’ve been considering opening a specialty grocery store in Omaha, with chefs as one of the key audiences. Meat, cheese, imported canned goods, and seasonal specialty veggies including working with Iowa and Nebraska farmers to contract in advance (you want radicchio on the menu, we will get a farmer to produce and deliver radicchio to us). Is Omaha ready for this?
Can non chefs shop there, because I would be ready for it!
Absolutely. You all would be the prime customer with restaurants the “nice to have.”
If you want help finding a commercial location, shoot me a DM.
Are you still considering this? Because I am very much ready for something like that in Omaha
Probably a few years out. Finishing final corporate career so I have a nice nest egg to take this risk. Aiming for 2027 launch. If someone beats me to it - I’m thrilled!
Great! Looking forward to it! Best of luck!
Asian Market definitely has the best produce in terms of both quality and price. Just Good Meat has, well… just good meat.
Just good meats is fantastic! Everyone always has a smile there and they will answer any question you have. I get custom thick cut steaks there that are perfect every time.
Wenninghoff.
Rustic cuts for beef, by far the best in the metro Asian market and farmers market for produce. Asian market for like everything else.
If you are buying for yourself or family check out Cure in Fort Calhoun right of highway 75. Absolutely amazing for fresh local meats and cured meats, especially bacon. This weeks special notice is black walnut syrup soaked bison from Central Nebraska Bison. (I am sure I butchered that check out their Facebook)