By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) launches Battle of the Beans, a recipe contest that encourages people to explore the benefits of Nebraska-grown dry beans. The contest is open to Nebraskans of all ages and aims to promote plant-based proteins in schools while supporting local agriculture.
The initiative encourages students, families, and community members to create original recipes using beans. Through this activity, the department hopes to increase awareness of the nutritional value of dry beans and their importance to Nebraska's agricultural economy.
Battle of the Beans is an extension of Beanstock, an educational campaign and curriculum series that teaches students about dry beans and other specialty crops grown in Nebraska.
Beanstock offers free and flexible lessons for middle and high school teachers. The lessons cover several subjects, including history, art, cooking, nutrition, agriculture, and economics. They help students understand how dry beans are grown, prepared, and used in everyday meals.
The campaign also connects classroom learning with food and farming. By learning about local crops, students can better understand where their food comes from and how agriculture supports their communities.
The Nebraska Department of Education accepts original bean recipes from October 1, 2026, through December 1, 2026. Participants can submit their entries through the department's NDE’s online contest portal.
The winning recipes will be adapted into school-compliant cafeteria recipes. These recipes will then be shared with schools across Nebraska, giving food service teams new ideas for preparing nutritious meals with locally grown ingredients.
Winners are expected to receive notifications in February 2027. The contest provides an opportunity for people of different ages to share their cooking ideas while helping schools introduce more plant-based protein options.
Nebraska plays an important role in dry bean production. The state ranks No. 1 in Great Northern bean production and No. 2 in Pinto bean production.
Much of Nebraska's dry bean production takes place in the western part of the state. The area's warm days, cool nights, and dry climate provide suitable conditions for growing dry edible beans.
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska produces dry edible beans on a large scale. In 2023, the state harvested 92,000 acres of dry edible beans, generating $82.4 million in production value.
Dry beans are mature seeds that dry on the plant before farmers harvest and remove them from their pods. Before cooking, they generally need to be soaked in water to rehydrate them. They are widely used in soups, salads, side dishes, and other meals.
Dry beans are an affordable source of protein and provide important nutrients and fiber. Including them in school meals can help students explore different healthy food choices.
“Dry beans are delicious, affordable and packed with protein, and they also have a fascinating story to tell about Nebraska’s history and economy,” said Jessie Coffey, director of NDE’s Whole Child Program. “Nebraska is one of the top producers of beans in the country, so it’s important that people across the state know how impactful they are and how easy they are to cook with.”
The Nebraska Dry Bean Commission also supports the campaign and recognizes the value of introducing young people to the state's dry bean industry.
“From research to production to promotion, dry beans in Nebraska are rooted in the foundation of our local economy,” said Lynn Reuter, executive director of the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission. “We’re thrilled to support the Nebraska Department of Education’s Beanstock campaign to help engage and inspire the next generation’s interest in this crucial field.”
Battle of the Beans and Beanstock are part of the Nebraska Department of Education's Farm to School program. The program aims to strengthen connections between schools, communities, fresh food, and local producers.
It supports this goal by encouraging schools and early care and education settings to improve food purchasing and educational practices. These efforts help children learn about healthy eating while creating more awareness of locally produced food.
The Battle of the Beans contest launches during Farm to School Month in October. Through this initiative, Nebraska aims to encourage students and families to learn more about dry beans, support local farmers, and bring healthy, locally grown foods into school cafeterias.
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Categories: Nebraska, Education