Food is one of the things that defines our human experience.
Without it, we cannot survive. It shapes our cultural identities and practices –
our celebrations, rituals, social gatherings, and community bonds. As
Christians, we do not eat the same as the world does. And we should not
purchase groceries the same way.
We have found that it is far healthier and more
life-giving to purchase groceries in the company of friends and neighbors than
in large commercial spaces filled with strangers. The Harvest is our
opportunity to share our grocery-purchasing experience in common, as well as to
access natural, healthy, and organic foods in a cost-effective way.
"So much is shared
at The Harvest – prayer requests, updates on friends, new recipes, exciting
news, progressing plans, and lots of laughs and hugs. I have been the food
coordinator of a household of young people, which meant lots of grocery
shopping. Typically I had to face the perils of 'Big Organic' in order to buy
in bulk and support the values my household. This means being assaulted with
all sorts of psychological manipulation and bourgeois 'lifestyle' displays just
to get my bag of brown basmati rice. At The Harvest, no one tries to sell me
anything. In fact, it’s not uncommon for Peggy Belser to only take half as much
parmesan cheese as she needs, knowing that another Harvest regular needs some
too (and just hasn’t gotten there yet). Who does that at the grocery store? This kind of love and care blows my mind." (thoughts from one RPF novice member)
The Harvest depends completely
on volunteers who offer their time on Saturday mornings or during the
week.Most kitchen basics are available
through this co-op, such as rice, pasta, beans, nuts, dried fruit, honey, oil, coffee,
tea, granola, and more.Most weeks,
there is also a variety of past date baked goods available - it’s “the best
free bread in town!”
The Harvest is open on Saturday mornings from
9:00 to 11:30, and is located at the Reba Place Church Ministries Center at the
corner of Custer Avenue and South Boulevard.The Harvest is run by Joan Vogt and Penny Lukens.
