Open Harvest Celebrates 50 Years!

If you don't know by now, Open Harvest Co-op has done much more than stock grocery shelves for the last 50 years; they have carefully cultivated a resilient food supply that reflects the unique values and spirit of Lincoln's food community.  

BY MARCUS FERTIG

What started as a grassroots initiative to bring fresh, organic groceries to Lincoln has flourished into our city's sole and most reliable co-op grocery store. Through partnerships with local farms and food vendors, the store has continuously operated with a community-first approach.  

The Open Harvest story began in 1971, not in a storefront, but in a garage. A small group of Lincoln families created a buying club to purchase organic food in bulk and share it. This humble, collaborative effort was the seed for something much larger.

Just four years later, their shared vision outgrew the garage, and in 1975, their teamwork blossomed into the first Open Harvest Co-op Grocery Store. Its doors first opened on 27th and Randolph Street. This marked the official beginning of a thriving, community-driven co-op that has continued to serve Lincoln for the last 50 years.

Momentum for the co-op continued to build, leading to another expansion in 1990. Open Harvest moved into its iconic South Street location, an era marked by significant growth and new challenges. National food chains started offering their own natural food selections, which ramped up competition for the co-op. Open Harvest adapted to this by sticking to its mission and introducing exclusive member deals to keep benefiting the community that helped it grow.

In 2024, Open Harvest embarked on an extraordinary effort, relocating from its beloved South Street home to the vibrant Telegraph District. This was a monumental move that truly reflected the enduring spirit of the co-op.

Bringing this vision to life required immense dedication. The Open Harvest team worked tirelessly, and the store raised an impressive $1.2 million. This significant sum came from a powerful combination of their devoted shoppers and the Lincoln Community Foundation, demonstrating the deep connection between the co-op and the community it serves. For decades, Open Harvest has supported Lincoln in countless ways, and when the co-op needed help, the community rallied to return the favor.

New Store, Opening Day

The spirit of the community shows up at the register too. In 2020, Open Harvest launched “The SEED Program,” a simple yet powerful initiative inviting shoppers to round up to the nearest dollar in support of a different local nonprofit each month.  This spring, the co-op proudly surpassed $100,000 raised by the program, all thanks to the generosity of its local shoppers. Each month, members of the non-profit organization visit the store for a ceremonial “big check” photo, a tradition they are proud to uphold. It is a moment the staff always look forward to presenting.

SEED Program with check

This summer, Open Harvest is thrilled to be celebrating 50 years of serving Lincoln! Since 1975, the co-op has been a cornerstone of the community, and they are marking this exciting milestone with a parking lot bash on August 9th.

Come down to Open Harvest and party like it’s 1975! Featuring local vendors, face painting, chalk art, samples, demonstrations, exclusive sales, and much more! It's an exciting moment for the store, dedicated staff, and the entire Lincoln community. Everyone is welcome to join the festivities, so mark your calendars!

From humble beginnings in a garage to its vibrant new home in the Telegraph district, Open Harvest has spent the last 50 years committed to the Lincoln community.  Through every challenge, they have stayed true to their values and provided the community with high-quality and local food.  As Open Harvest looks toward its next 50 years, it continues to be more than just a grocery store. It stands as a testament to what a community can achieve when it comes together.

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