BYRON, Nebraska (KOLN) – A generational family-owned operation with German roots near Byron, Nebraska, is preparing to harvest about 6,500 pounds of fresh popcorn per acre this September. The Free Day Popcorn Company, known for its yellow butterfly popcorn, supplies local favorites like Vala’s Pumpkin Patch.
The name of the farm, Free Day Popcorn, reflects the German origins of its founder.
“My last name is Freitag, and in German, Freitag means free day, and that’s where the name of our company comes from, ‘Free Day Popcorn,'” said Nate Freitag, co-owner of Free Day Popcorn.
The Freitag family established their farm in Byron in the late 19th century. They did not initially grow popcorn, but in the 1980s they diversified due to low commodity prices.
Nate and his wife Stacey started selling yellow butterfly and white butterfly popcorn, as well as mushroom popcorn, in 2018.
“With fresh popcorn, you notice that it pops better. It’s light and fluffy, with fewer shells and those little pieces that get stuck in your teeth,” says Stacey, co-owner.
The Freitags met while studying in Pennsylvania and later returned to Byron to raise their family on the farm. Nate also teaches at an online school, while Stacey maintains connections at gourmet popcorn shops, movie theaters and fairs.
“We only sell the freshest, the current harvest. We try to grow enough each year to meet our customers’ needs,” said Stacey.
To prepare the popcorn for sale, the family processes it in a warehouse outside Byron that also serves as the farm office. Their four daughters help package the popcorn.
“You often help fill bags that weigh three to one pound,” says Makenna, co-owner.
“I think it’s easier for me because all I have to do is turn the bag over and put it through the conveyor belt,” Brook said.
The Freitags hope to pass the business on to their daughters if they decide to stay in the area.
“If our daughters want to stay in this area, they would have the opportunity to stay here and have jobs that allow them to reach the rest of the world,” Nate said.
They even survived the Covid-19 pandemic by selling to brands like Jolly Times.
“And Nate loves to see and guess which famous people have eaten our popcorn. And you know it was grown right on our family farm,” Stacey said.
They won’t have a day off on Fridays any time soon because they are preparing for the harvest at the end of September.
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