Blog

Letter from Chair

Thank you for choosing, investing, and supporting our cooperatively owned grocery store. We all have many options to choose from on where to spend our hard-earned dollars on groceries. Choosing to shop at Open Harvest supports our staff and their families, it means more money is spent directly with local farms, and more money can be reinvested in community nonprofits through the SEED Program. Money raised in February will go to 89.3 KZUM, a listener-supported community radio station licensed to Sunrise Communications, a nonprofit organization. Thanks to all who donated $1,531 to the Food Coop Initiative in January!

 

Funding our New Store

It takes a lot to fund a project like a store relocation, so the Owner Investment Campaign Committee is exploring all types of funding options, including grants. Recently we submitted a Healthy Food and Financing Initiative (HFFI) letter of intent and are pleased to share that we have been invited for the next round to apply for the $200,000 grant.

 

Engage with the Board of Directors

As one of the 2,300 owners of Open Harvest Co-op Grocery, we want to know what value you receive from shopping at our store. Complete our 2022 Customer Survey and you’ll be entered to win a $100 co-op gift card! We want to know what you are looking for, and how we can better serve you. The cooperative is shaped by you. Your feedback and continued investment drives our co-op forward. To reach the board, you can send an e-mail to board@openharvest.coop, or register to attend a monthly board meeting. We currently meet virtually on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 pm, where space is provided to share your comments directly with the full board.

 

Volunteer Opportunity

We are diligently preparing for the launch of our Owner Investment Campaign in Spring 2022, and we need your help! Do you have a passion for the co-op, enjoy talking to people, and are excited to be part of a team that will move our store into the future? We are looking for committed volunteers to serve as phone callers to help spread the word about this investment opportunity, answer questions, and obtain commitments. We will hold our first training/information session for interested volunteers via Zoom (online) on Saturday, February 19th, from 9 am – 12 pm. Request Attendance Here.

 

Upcoming Events

• LOVE YOUR LOCAL VENDOR: Feb. 1 – 14  Share your love for our local vendors! Join us in-store and write a Valentine’s Day message to your favorite vendor. We’ll cover the postage! If you can’t make it into the store, send an e-message here.
• GET TO KNOW OUR COMMUNITY: Feb. 16  The DEI Committee Presents: Get to Know Our Community from 7PM-8PM with Abbi Swatsworth from OutNebraska. Learn more about sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression. Explore how to be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community within community spaces. RSVP Here.

 

In cooperation,

Wally Graeber
Board Chair