Organic, sustainably-produced food can be difficult to find in small-town Nebraska; most local grocery stores can't spare the shelf space alongside their regular products. A group of like-minded people in O'Neill decided to do something to bring organic products to their community, and so Wildflour Grocer was born.
Seven people - farmers, producers, investors and more - came together with a mission: to connect the community to their food, the land and each other. That is, in fact, their mission statement, and they've worked hard to bring that vision to the people of O'Neill and beyond.
Starting with a storefront on 4th Street, the seven managing members put months of their own time, money, and labor into opening Wildflour.
The market brings together vendors from all over the state. The product selection includes items that would otherwise be difficult to find in a community of this size, like organic eggs, hormone-free meat, locally-produced honey, and organic produce.
Everything is thoughtfully sourced, and the shelves bear information about the vendors and their products. This is how Wildflour is connecting the community with their food; knowing where your groceries come from is an important component of mindful consumption.
But don't be put off by the idea that this is all high-end, fancy organic stuff that you won't recognize, much less know how to use.
The products here are pure, simple food, the way we used to buy and eat it. It's all grown or produced nearby, possibly even by people you know.
If you've never had the pleasure of eating fresh local foods, you'll be amazed at the difference.
Everything from milk to meat to greens to garlic tastes better when it goes straight from the farm to your table (with a little detour to Wildflour in between).
The store held a soft opening in January 2018 and a grand opening in May. Despite being in a town of fewer than 4,000 people, Wildflour has attracted statewide attention. Folks come in from surrounding communities to find the kinds of products they used to have to travel to Norfolk to buy.
In addition to fresh produce, meats, dairy, and honey, you'll find products like herbal tea, prepared potato and pasta salads, seeds, dried herbs, vinegar, peanut butter, personal care items...and lots more that you'll just have to stop in and see for yourself.
The managing group's goals for the store include adding an educational program of workshops and seminars to teach people about sustainable farming, healthy cooking, and the importance of being connected to your food. Wildflour Grocer recently completed a fundraising campaign that will allow the group to add a commercial kitchen to the store, as well.
You can shop at Wildflour Grocer at 112 S 4th Street, O'Neill, NE. Visit their Facebook page for events, product news, and more.
If you're looking for farm-fresh goodness in the Panhandle, check out this sweet little roadside farm stand.
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