Sustaining Our Community: The Power of the 7 Co-op Principles at Open Harvest
Open Harvest is truly a special place. I ran for the Board of Directors out of a deep passion for our mission. The seven cooperative principles are the guiding force of our mission and are not just words on paper.
This update is all about highlighting how our co-op puts those values into practice every day. Starting with Co-op Principle #5: Education, Training and Information, this board update upholds our responsibility to inform owners and the public of the meaning and benefits of a co-op grocery store.
Sustaining Our Local Food System
Co-op Principle #7: Concern for Community, states that the co-op will work to implement policies that promote the sustainability of their community. Open Harvest plays a vital role in nourishing our local food community. Coming up is Shop Local Weekend on August 21-23. Shoppers will find 10% off all local products, may get to meet some of our local vendors and farmers, and can help us celebrate our 51st anniversary with cake! Open Harvest also sponsors local food initiatives like the Hub Farmers Market and Feast on the Farm, which showcases local chefs cooking up foods from local farmers.
This summer, Open Harvest has tabled several times at the Hub Farmers Market. The market is a joyful event, so our table has featured activities like “guess what’s in the box” and offered refreshing citrus-herb infused water and summer flowers to market-goers. Open Harvest staff will be among those featured at the Feast on the Farm event, coming up on August 29th at Prairie Pine Farms. And our deli is a staple of the local food scene—famous for its legendary burritos, but now also expanded to offer full catering services!
Welcoming Everyone & Debunking the Myth
Open Harvest is also participating in Big Red Welcome to greet incoming UNL students with juicy slices of fresh, local watermelon. It’s a wonderful way to introduce newcomers to Open Harvest and demonstrate Co-op Principle #1: Voluntary and Open Membership. Everyone is welcome to shop, access good food, and consider becoming a co-op owner.
One persistent myth is that cooperative grocery store prices everyday shoppers out. While some products—such as organic produce or grassfed beef—may have higher price points, Open Harvest intentionally offers a broad mix of affordable conventional and organic choices.
Co-op Principle #6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives helps to ensure that Open Harvest can provide healthy and sustainable products for our planet, communities, and ourselves. Extra savings can be found through our Co+op Basics program and Co+op Deals and Fresh Deals flyers available online, in-store, and at our event tables – these savings are coordinated by our cooperative partnership through National Co-op Grocers (NCG).
Owned by You, Governed by You!
Co-op Principle #2: Democratic Member Control and Co-op Principle #3: Member Economic Participation are the heart of what makes Open Harvest different.
Unlike big-box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club, Open Harvest is not a distant corporation run by a distant CEO. We are entirely owned and governed by the people that shop in our store. And in profitable years, earnings are reinvested in Open Harvest to further our mission and strengthen our cooperative.
Co-op Principle #4: Autonomy and Independence mean any agreements our co-op enters must respect our autonomy and remain accountable to owners.
Get Involved!
There are many ways to participate:
- Run for the Board. Board members have been in the store to chat about running for a board seat or simply taking the leap to become a co-op owner. Learn more about board candidacy here.
- Serve on a Committee. We’re currently looking for an owner to serve on the Election Committee to help with the board election process, including counting ballots.
- Nominate. 2027 SEED nominations are open and will be included on the 2026 ballot. You can nominate your favorite community organization here.
- Cast your vote. Cast your vote in the upcoming 2026 Board Election. More details coming soon.
- Attend a meeting. Join us for the Annual Owner Meeting in November. Owners may also attend monthly board meetings and inquire about serving on a board committee.
- Provide feedback. Make suggestions on services and products in the store.
- Shop. Simply by shopping at Open Harvest, you actively power the initiatives and policies that keep our local food system and community strong.
As one of the only grocery co-ops in Nebraska, there truly is no other store quite like Open Harvest in our state. Our cooperative belongs to all of us—and its future depends on all of us, too.
In cooperation,
Monica Snowden
Open Harvest Director
To contact the board directly you can e-mail board@openharvest.coop.