Nebraska Launches Statewide Bean Recipe Contest
The Nebraska Department of Education is inviting residents to submit dry bean recipes that could be added to school meals.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Healthy Food
Live Poll
Should schools in your community serve more locally grown plant-based protein?
The Nebraska Department of Education has launched a statewide 'Battle of the Beans' recipe contest featuring Nebraska-grown dry beans. Open to anyone in the state, including childcare centers, schools, and community members, the contest recognizes winners in dips, salads, sides, main dishes, and desserts.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to bring locally grown, plant-based protein into school meals. Dry beans offer an affordable, protein- and fiber-rich option as food costs remain a concern for Nebraska families.
Each entry must contain at least a half-cup of beans and no more than 10 ingredients. Winning recipes must be scaled for food-service quantities and tested in two different kitchens before inclusion.
The players
Nebraska Department of Education
The state agency overseeing public education in Nebraska, which launched the recipe contest and manages its integration into school nutrition programs.
Nebraska Dry Bean Commission
The state commission that promotes Nebraska-grown dry beans, and which has partnered with the Department of Education for five years.
Wayne State College
A public college in Wayne, Nebraska, whose family and consumer science educator program helped develop the agricultural education lessons.
The details
Winning recipes must meet federal Child Nutrition Program requirements, and the department will provide crediting details to school nutrition professionals. Agricultural education lessons developed with Wayne State College's family and consumer science educator program, aimed mainly at middle and high school students, support the effort.
Timeline
The Department has partnered with the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission for the past five years.
Healthy Food Landscape
Federal Child Nutrition Program requirements set the standards school meals must meet, and the contest tests whether state-grown dry beans can be developed into recipes that satisfy them. Nebraska's role as one of the nation's leading producers of Great Northern and pinto beans gives the initiative a local supply base.
Nebraska families with children in school may see bean-based dishes appear on lunch menus if winning recipes are adopted. Anyone in the state can submit an entry, whether as a school, childcare center, or community member.
The takeaway
Dry beans are a low-cost way to add protein and fiber to meals, and Nebraska's contest offers a template for using local staples in everyday cooking. Home cooks can look to simple bean dishes with ten or fewer ingredients as a starting point.
Further reading
Explore more on Healthy Food to see how nutritious staples are finding their way into everyday meals.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RFD-TV.
Live Poll
Should schools in your community serve more locally grown plant-based protein?
