Organic and natural foods: Good Harvest Market to host day of natural beauty

In December of 2003, two local couples met and formed a plan to bring a natural food store to Waukesha County, which would offer local residents an opportunity to shop for healthy alternatives to conventional, mass-produced foods. Since neither couple had any extensive background in the grocery business, the store was planned from the eyes of the customer.

On January 26 of 2005, Good     Harvest Market opened its doors. The store floor plan was designed with ease of shopping in mind - about 1/5 the size of most conventional grocery stores, wider aisles, and relaxing colors which calmed the mind and body.

The store was also built using recycled materials and with as many energy efficient components as possible. The heat from the refrigeration units, for instance, is used to heat the store, reducing carbon emissions. In fact, Good Harvest pays for 100% renewable energy through the WE Energies Energy for Tomorrow program. No plastic bags have ever been used for packing groceries; instead we use either paper or reusable canvas bags.

While the early years were difficult financially as the store and its staff went through typical new company challenge, Good Harvest, now in its tenth year, is thriving. This financial stability has allowed us to make increase the number of locally grown and produced foods, as well as use some of our profits to directly impact and better our community.