News

Nebraska produce business gets USDA loan

A north-central Nebraska company has been awarded a nearly four-million dollar USDA loan to expand its produce business.

Garden Fresh Vegetables of O’Neill will use the money to build a 10-acre greenhouse, creating the opportunity to add an estimated 35 new jobs.  Garden Fresh already has 50 full-time and 10 part-time workers, plus seasonal help.  The company markets its produce to area grocery stores.

The loan was one of 11 USDA-guaranteed loans announced this week.  The dollars come from federal stimulus funding and are part of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which aims to create new economic opportunities by promoting local food growers.