Blog

I hope this newsletter finds you well and safe.

It’s a wonderful time of year at the co-op! Our plant starts are on full display out front, more local veggies are becoming available, and a bit of spring has popped into the planters by the doors!

As we head into a new season, we remain committed to continuing our safety measures at Open Harvest and request that customers help us do the same:

 

CURRENT SAFETY MEASURES

• Practice social distancing by staying 6’ from your neighbor at all times
• We strongly encourage all customers & staff to wear masks
• Stay home if you or your family members are ill
• Only touch product you intend to buy
• You may bring your reusable bags, but you must bag your own groceries
• Please leave all personal containers at home (water jugs are permitted)
• Utilize the disposable gloves and sanitizer wipes strategically placed throughout the store
• If you are 60+ or immunocompromised, you may utilize our high risk only shopping hours (daily from 11 am – 12 pm)
• Use our curbside pickup for easy, contactless grocery shopping!

 

TEMPORARY HOURS

Our temporary store hours will remain noon – 7 pm, with special shopping for high risk customers from 11 am – 12 pm until at least May 30^th.

The decision of shortened hours is based primarily on protecting staff health by providing better separation from customers as we work in the AM to stock and fulfill curbside orders. It also provides a separation between the AM / PM crews. We realize that other stores are operating at “normal” hours, but we are choosing to proceed with caution until we are past the projected peak of COVID-19 cases in our community.

 

BURRITOS ARE BACK!

We are now offering made-to-order burritos and burrito bowls Monday – Saturday from 12 pm – 6 pm. Orders can be placed in-person, over the phone, or through curbside pickup. Enjoy double punches on your burrito card now through May 16^th!

  

UPCOMING CHANGES

Effective May 11th and until further notice, our bulk department will only be available via curbside pickup.

Unfortunately, because we are not getting 100% compliance from customers regarding the use of gloves when shopping bulk, despite clear and abundant signage, verbal prompting, and regular intercom pages, the decision to close the bulk scoop bins is necessary in order to minimize risk to shoppers.

Body care, water, and gravity bins (beans, coffee, nuts, etc) are the only products that will be available in-store.

 

MAY SEED PROGRAM: STAFF HARVAID FUND + WILDLIFE RESCUE TEAM

From May 1^st – May 16^th customers are able to round-up at the register for our staff Harvaid Fund. For many years Open Harvest staff have voluntarily contributed to the Harvaid Fund, which is a pool of money that any staff member may apply for to cover costs related to emergency financial situations. The funds are managed and distributed by a staff committee. In addition, all of our curbside tips are being deposited into this fund on a weekly basis and will be used to support staff who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT WE’VE RECEIVED SO FAR – THANK YOU!

From May 17^th – May 31^st customers will be able to round-up at the register for Wildlife Rescue Team, Inc., a local non-profit committed to raising and rehabilitating of orphaned and injured wildlife from the state of Nebraska, with the goal being to release them back into the wild.

 

In cooperation,

Amy Tabor