Food business veteran Jim Nelson learning the ropes at Open Harvest
Open Harvest, the local natural and organic foods cooperative grocery store, has named a new general manager — a person who will play a pivotal role for the business that sits on the cusp of expansion.
Jim Nelson, 59, brings nearly 40 years of experience in the food industry. This is his first experience working for a co-op.
“It’s still customer service and stocking shelves — that part of the business has not changed,” said Nelson, who started Oct. 23.
What is new, he said, is the balancing act between the co-op philosophy and managing the bottom line.
Open Harvest is a member-owned retail cooperative focused on supporting local producers, consumer education, sustainable agricultural practices and equitable employment practices. Its membership today is around 2,200.
The Lincoln native got his start with Hinky Dinky working as a frozen food manager, produce manager and a a handful of other positions at the chain’s stores across the city, before they all closed. He also worked for Russ’s Market.
Nelson’s career — heavy in the produce experience — took him to Minnesota as a food broker and, when “corporate burnout” set in, down to the U.S. Virgin Islands. There he and his wife bought an art gallery and souvenir store and settled for seven years before deciding it was time to return to Lincoln and family.
He said he’d been back in Lincoln a few months when he spotted a newspaper ad for the opening at Open Harvest.
The position came open in June when longtime Open Harvest employee Jean Helms resigned to spend more time with family and a family business.
Open Harvest aims to better its operations and though Nelson has a lot of information to absorb about managing a co-op, he will help the store work toward its goals, said Margot Conrad, the assistant manager who served as interim general manager after Helms’ departure.
The search continues, meanwhile, for a new location for Open Harvest. The company’s board of directors began discussions in 2004 to move from its location near South and 16th streets — the second in its 32-year history.
A move could allow for expanded deli, bakery and deli sections, space for cooking classes, more parking and room to grow well into the future.
In the last year, the search has focused on areas within three miles of the existing store, though preference is in keeping it even closer within the store’s primary trade area.
The changes at the management level have not slowed the process any, but having Nelson on board will help, Conrad said.
“We’re very glad to have an experienced general manager in place and that will strengthen the process,” she said.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com
Jim Nelson, 59, brings nearly 40 years of experience in the food industry. This is his first experience working for a co-op.
“It’s still customer service and stocking shelves — that part of the business has not changed,” said Nelson, who started Oct. 23.
What is new, he said, is the balancing act between the co-op philosophy and managing the bottom line.
Open Harvest is a member-owned retail cooperative focused on supporting local producers, consumer education, sustainable agricultural practices and equitable employment practices. Its membership today is around 2,200.
The Lincoln native got his start with Hinky Dinky working as a frozen food manager, produce manager and a a handful of other positions at the chain’s stores across the city, before they all closed. He also worked for Russ’s Market.
Nelson’s career — heavy in the produce experience — took him to Minnesota as a food broker and, when “corporate burnout” set in, down to the U.S. Virgin Islands. There he and his wife bought an art gallery and souvenir store and settled for seven years before deciding it was time to return to Lincoln and family.
He said he’d been back in Lincoln a few months when he spotted a newspaper ad for the opening at Open Harvest.
The position came open in June when longtime Open Harvest employee Jean Helms resigned to spend more time with family and a family business.
Open Harvest aims to better its operations and though Nelson has a lot of information to absorb about managing a co-op, he will help the store work toward its goals, said Margot Conrad, the assistant manager who served as interim general manager after Helms’ departure.
The search continues, meanwhile, for a new location for Open Harvest. The company’s board of directors began discussions in 2004 to move from its location near South and 16th streets — the second in its 32-year history.
A move could allow for expanded deli, bakery and deli sections, space for cooking classes, more parking and room to grow well into the future.
In the last year, the search has focused on areas within three miles of the existing store, though preference is in keeping it even closer within the store’s primary trade area.
The changes at the management level have not slowed the process any, but having Nelson on board will help, Conrad said.
“We’re very glad to have an experienced general manager in place and that will strengthen the process,” she said.
Reach Jean Ortiz at 473-7107 or jortiz@journalstar.com
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.