A Dash of History... from Carrie Meeske Holloway

I found Open Harvest when I was 17--a happy coincidence that has changed my life in many ways. My first visit was in 1987, and the store was on Randolph Street. The first few times I visited OH, I was overloaded by all of the new things to see, taste, and smell: the brand names were so different! The rows of bulk foods (what was one supposed to do with quinoa?!). The fragrance of Vegetable Cheese Rolls as they were placed in the glass bakery display case next to the check-out counter.

I was fascinated and kept coming back. The genuine friendliness of the staff made me feel instantly welcome, and they were invaluable teachers as I began my education about whole foods. And what on Earth was a co-op?!

Before long, I was a volunteer cashier and within a year was working at OH as a paid staff member. I worked up front, and packaged cheese, and learned and experienced food and cooperativism. And met lots of fantastic people!

I ended up working at Open Harvest for about 5 years, during which our store moved to South Street. I remember when OH was closed, and packing up all of the boxes and shelving and getting prepared to move. Even though the move wasn't without controversy, when the time came I was impressed that members volunteered their time to pack, to haul, to make phone calls, to install shelves. To me, that sense of community is one of the most appealing aspects of Open Harvest. The food is fantastic (and good for you!), but to be a part of a store that wouldn't exist without the people who believed in it--to both start it and sustain it--is very fulfilling.

Looking back, so many things about Open Harvest come to mind. Working at a place where I felt my contribution mattered in a very tangible way, and where I "co-own" the store with others who choose to also invest their money and time. Here are a few other things that I remember fondly: tons of people at the checkout counters when it was time for all members to pay their "B" shares...two prices on each product...packaging cheese and trail mix in the basement...the bulletin boards in between the two front doors...the phone at the checkout counters that had that crazy buzzer...and the festivity that seems to naturally happen when people and good food come together.

As long as Open Harvest exists, I'll be shopping there.