By Caryl Yvonne Hunter

The staff at Harvest Moon welcome you. At left, Hue Alexander feeds daughters Sophia and Emily black bean salsa at the store’s preopening party.

After nearly four years of raising funds and organizing the community, Harvest Moon Natural Foods and its founding members are thrilled the co-op is open.

The food co-op, which opened in June, will fulfill a need in both the town of Long Lake and the western exurbs. Said General Manager Peter Doolan, “The store will be a place for people to eat, shop, and learn. It’s only 15 miles outside of downtown Minneapolis, but it’s much more rural and close to farmlands.”

Doolan, who formerly worked at the Linden Hills Co-op for 12 years, really understands the outreach the co-op will accomplish. “This has amazing potential,” says Doolan. “The community drive to make this happen is what really made me want to make the change.”

According to Kari Pastir-Smith, Harvest Moon’s marketing director and a member of the founding group, the project has been full of enthusiasm since its conception in 2006. “It has had such a strong passion and heartfelt effort from the beginning,” says Pastir-Smith, “I’m overwhelmed at the amount of talent and resources. There have been so many gifts of help. It’s really been a true community effort.”

Having healthy, organic foods and other products in this area will satisfy the huge demand of the neighbors who live nearby, as well as utilizing regional resources. “The primary source of the co-op is local, local, local,” says Pastir-Smith, “It is such a great connection.” With over 900 members already a part of Harvest Moon, the inspiration to be a part of it is very strong and its potential for growth is virtually unlimited.

Harvest Moon was founded on three core commitments: “To grow, to gather and to give back.” In growing, they will have a neighborhood market with nourishing, freshly grown foods. In gathering, they will offer events that people can enjoy together, along with great services and exceptional products. And in giving, Harvest Moon plans to give back to the community, helping people to learn to live a more wholesome and beneficial way of life with quality education and resources.

Harvest Moon wants to ensure that every customer’s trip to the store is a pleasant experience. Much more than just a market, the co-op will serve as a meeting place for people to get together and connect. The location is also near biking and walking paths, further encouraging customers to live a green, active lifestyle.

It is always promising when a new co-op opens, no matter what area it is in. What is especially important about the Harvest Moon Co-op is that it is not only committed to locally produced and healthful foods, but it’s also directly connected to rural farmlands. In this way, Harvest Moon will be a truly unique store, taking an active role in the community and making a real difference.

Caryl Yvonne Hunter is a freelance writer and photographer living in Minneapolis. She also works in the social services field in outreach programs throughout the Twin Cities area.