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Tiny Nebraska town gets boost from food co-op

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Tiny Nebraska town gets boost from food co-op


When the one grocery retailer in Lynch shut its doorways in March 2020, the closing tacked a query mark onto the neighborhood’s destiny.

About 200 individuals stay within the city, which is about 100 miles northwest of Norfolk. After the homeowners of Lynch Hometown Market retired about two years in the past, residents needed to journey 13 miles to the closest grocery retailer.

“I used to be nonetheless capable of drive, so I drove … west to Spencer and received my groceries,” mentioned resident David Kalkowski, 72, a retired banker. “I received by, nevertheless it wasn’t like having a retailer uptown from the home.”

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On every journey, Kalkowski purchased a little bit greater than he wanted to refill. When the climate was poor or snow lined the bottom, he’d simply as quickly skip the week’s grocery run.

Lynch residents feared that the shop’s closure would speed up inhabitants loss and compound stresses on low-income individuals and seniors.

“The necessity was clear,” mentioned resident David Barnes. “Inside just a few months, we wanted to attempt to reopen the shop.”

Volunteers resembling Barnes rallied round a brand new trigger: the formation of a meals cooperative.



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Valley Meals Cooperative just lately hosted its grand opening following a tender launch in February.

The shop, housed within the former grocery constructing, gives entry to contemporary fruits, greens and meats, commodities that always are troublesome to acquire in distant components of the nation. It sells domestically sourced baked items, barbecue sauce, jellies and jams, eggs and seasonings.

“It’s good to know if I run out of one thing I can go to the shop and get it,” mentioned Lynch resident Tami Heiser, 57. “Additionally, when an unplanned occasion comes up, I’ve a spot to go purchase the meals.”

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Heiser, a customer support supervisor, mentioned she and her husband drop by the co-op a number of instances per week.

Lynch’s story is a typical one in Nebraska, based on Charlotte Narjes, affiliate director of the Nebraska Cooperative Growth Middle, which is housed on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Nebraska municipalities of Arthur, Elwood, Emerson, Hay Springs, Kimball, Odell, Scottsbluff and Stapleton have, in some unspecified time in the future, opened or at present run grocery shops beneath some type of collective possession.

A co-op mannequin entails promoting shares of the shop as a way of elevating capital. It carries the advantages of entrusting possession of the grocery — and its survival — to neighborhood members.

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“If any person places some cash into that enterprise, they’re going to assist it,” Barnes mentioned.

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Grocery shops function linchpins that entice and retain residents. Not solely is the contemporary meals they supply vital for fundamental well being, the shops function hubs that weave a neighborhood collectively.

Rural locales are thought of what the U.S. Division of Agriculture phrases “meals deserts” when no less than 33% of residents of a low-income U.S. census tract stay greater than 10 miles from a big grocery retailer or grocery store.

With no grocery, Narjes mentioned, individuals are apt to go away.

“You consider younger households, if they’re going to transfer there,” she mentioned. “Are they going to go to a neighborhood that doesn’t have a grocery retailer?”

Single-location groceries face growing competitors from supercenters and greenback shops. As a share of meals retailers nationally, grocery shops dropped from 87% to 82% from 1990 to 2015, based on a latest USDA report.

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Their decline is a pervasive drawback, however one which particularly afflicts the Midwest. Of the 23 U.S. counties that lacked any meals retailer, 5 have been in Nebraska.

Seven months after Lynch Hometown Market closed, a handful of residents, together with Barnes, fashioned a steering committee that oversaw the cooperative’s incorporation.

They polled residents to evaluate assist for the endeavor. Almost 76% of respondents indicated they thought it was necessary to have an area grocery retailer and 70% mentioned they’d do greater than half of their purchasing on the co-op.

“The minute they opened, I simply completely switched,” Kalkowski mentioned.

They backed their opinions with their pocketbooks. About 135 buyers have bought shares at $250 apiece. Even individuals who scrape by on restricted incomes contributed.

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The constructing that homes Valley Meals Cooperative was constructed in 1954 and required updating.

To pay for his or her efforts, the committee obtained greater than $100,000 by way of inventory gross sales, grants and donations.

The co-op contracts with Related Wholesale Grocers, a distributor based mostly in Norfolk. Every Wednesday, a supply truck bearing three or 4 full stacks of pallets arrives on the cooperative’s doorstep.

Whereas the enterprise employs one full-time and two part-time workers members, volunteers additionally oversee day-to-day retailer administration.

The cooperative is open daily. Complete milk, eggs, baked gadgets and cereal are fashionable, however buyer demand fluctuates and it’s onerous to foretell swings, Barnes mentioned.

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“Generally it simply relies upon who walks within the door,” he mentioned.

Barnes hopes the shop will increase site visitors within the village, which has a neighborhood swimming pool, bowling alley, elementary faculty, movie show, medical clinic and gasoline station. Main employers embrace a phone firm, a display printing store and the native hospital.

The shop is exceeding monetary projections, Barnes mentioned, including that it’s too quickly to say whether or not the operation could be thought of successful.

“Is your basketball season successful whenever you’re forward by 4 factors within the first quarter of your first sport?” he mentioned. “(If) 4 or 5 years down the highway we’re nonetheless going, then I’d name it successful.”

Even when the work is tough and irritating, Jayne Ellenwood says it fills her bucket to be part of Bryan’s response to the neighborhood.

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“I wrote thank-you playing cards to anybody that spent cash with us. … I wrote lots of and lots of and lots of of playing cards,” proprietor Laurie Frasier mentioned, even when somebody solely spent just a few {dollars}.

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A number of residential initiatives in or close to downtown, together with the 250-foot-tall Lied Place Residences, will open to residents this yr.

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Delta Nelson’s whole life has been rooted within the auto business, so it solely made sense when she determined to open The Mechanix Storage in Lincoln.

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Downtown Lincoln’s inhabitants is predicted to achieve 10,000 in 2025 — a 730% enhance since 2010.

The historical past, tradition and DNA of the Cornhusker state are woven all through the Scarlet, which is scheduled to open this spring.

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Robin Eschliman’s annual overview of eating places in Lincoln discovered extra eating choices opened in 2021 than shut down.

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Over $2 billion price of stock was offered on-line by way of HiBid in 2021, and there are usually anyplace from 700,000 to 1 million gadgets listed on the location at any given time.

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Lincoln community a main draw for Assurity executive Douglas

Assurity’s Jack Douglas moved together with his spouse from South Carolina in 2020, the peak of the pandemic. 

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Earlier than Boxcar BBQ formally served its first slab of ribs to a paying buyer in October, the workers experimented with lots of of kilos of meat and dozens of tweaks to their recipes.

Jason Ball returns residence to steer the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce with dedication to “preserve the ball rolling” for Lincoln as the town develops and grows.

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Every of the eight Schulz Poultry barns holds 45,000 birds, which arrive at only a couple hours previous and spend the following 42-44 days within the barns earlier than going to Fremont for processing.

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Since CompanyCam’s inception, greater than 400 million images have been saved and 15 million initiatives created largely by contractors trying to higher doc their work.

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Directions 2022: Lincoln startups continue to draw attention – and big bucks

Monolith led a report yr for funding in Lincoln-based firms, which collectively raised practically $300 million in enterprise capital in 2021. 

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Many workers moved to distant work throughout COVID-19, a development that is prone to stick round, consultants say. However different pandemic results, resembling labor shortages and pay will increase, are prone to be short-term adjustments.

A fundraising marketing campaign introduced in additional than $10.3 million for the 7 acres of land close to the airport and the 60,000-square-foot new workplace constructing and warehouse, nearly doubling the Meals Financial institution’s present house.

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The Journal Star invited companies and different places of work celebrating an anniversary divisible by 5 this yr to share their historical past with readers.

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Directions 2022: Lincoln businesses celebrate regional, national honors

The Journal Star invited readers to share honors that companies or workers acquired as better of state, area or nation. Additionally included is a recap of the key awards introduced by enterprise organizations domestically.

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Directions 2022: Lincoln Chamber salutes businesses with dozens of ribbon cutting ceremonies

In June, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce resumed ribbon-cutting occasions to mark new companies, companies with new homeowners, relocated and renovated companies, enterprise anniversaries and ground-breaking ceremonies.

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Jay Foreman, Erick Strickland and Vershan Jackson have exhibits on the The Ticket, which additionally has packages that includes 22 present Nebraska athletes.

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First impressions of Dana Holgorsen, his new perspective and IDGAF Honesty

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First impressions of Dana Holgorsen, his new perspective and IDGAF Honesty


Dana Holgorsen, the new offensive coordinator and playcaller of Nebraska football, took the stage on Tuesday for his first media availability since he arrived in Lincoln.

Unsurprisingly, if you have followed Holgorsen throughout his career especially during stops as head coach at Houston and West Virginia, the Huskers’ new OC gave point-blank honesty and matter-of-fact thoughts on the players in the building. Those evaluations were based solely on game film, practice reps and, as it should be, football-exclusive factors.

Afterward, Inside Nebraska’s Zack Carpenter and Tim Verghese jumped in front of the camera to break down Holgorsen’s first game calling the shots on offense against USC, what his next one against Wisconsin could or will look like, and a breakdown of his press conference interview.

Watch their analysis – plus the Holgorsen interview in its entirety – in the video links below and on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel. Subscribe to our channel for FREE to get even more daily content on all things Nebraska. Listen to the audio version on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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How to Watch Nebraska Women’s Basketball vs. North Alabama: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel

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How to Watch Nebraska Women’s Basketball vs. North Alabama: Preview, Breakdown, TV Channel


The No. 20 Nebraska women’s basketball team put out a statement in its first road trip of the early 2024-25 season. Behind a school-record 20 three-pointers, the Huskers destroyed South Dakota in a 113-70 thrashing at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls on Saturday. 

Four NU players put up double-digit points, including a team-high 23 from five-star freshman Britt Prince in her second game after returning from injury. She was an outstanding 10-for-13 from the field with four assists. Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts added 22 points with seven rebounds while Alexis Markowski (14), Kendall Moriarity (13) and Kendall Coley (12) also added to the stat sheet. 

Nebraska shot over 63% from the field and went 20-for-34 from deep in a performance that will keep the Huskers’ confidence riding high going into Tuesday’s contest at home. 

Here’s all you need to know as NU welcomes in North Alabama for a week night matchup.  

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How to Follow Along 

Matchup: No. 20 Nebraska (4-0, 0-0 B1G) vs. North Alabama (2-2, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) 

When: Tuesday, November 19

Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE

Time: 7 p.m. CST 

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Watch: B1G+

Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates

North Alabama head coach Candi Whitaker

Mar 2, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Tech Lady Raiders head coach Candi Whitaker on the sidelines during a game against the Baylor Bears at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 75-65. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-Imagn Images / Ray Carlin-Imagn Images

North Alabama Scout

Head Coach: Candi Whitaker | 1st Season | 233-224 (.510) Career HC Record | 7 WNBA Draftees, 2x DII NCAA Tournament Appearances | Past head coaching stops at Missouri Western (DII), Texas Tech and UMKC. 

2023-2024 Record: 12-18 (8-8 Atlantic Sun, T-6th) | 1x Third Team All-ASUN, 1x ASUN All-Freshman Team | Did not qualify for the postseason.

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All-Time Series: First meeting.

Fun Fact: North Alabama head coach Candi Whitaker is no stranger to the Huskers, despite it being the first meeting between the two programs. The starting point guard for Texas Tech during her playing days, Whitaker led the Red Raiders to a pair of victories over Nebraska. In 2001 Tech won 66-50 and followed up with a 99-57 thumping of NU in 2002. 

Key Returners: Alyssa Clutter, G, Jr. | Veronaye Charlton, G, Soph. | Rhema Pegues, G, Jr. | Sara Wohlgemuth, G, Gr. | Katie Criswell, G, Soph. | India Howard, F, Jr. 

Key Additions: Charity Gallegos, G, Sr. (Cal-State San Marcos) | Jazzy Klinge, F, Jr. (Johnson County CC) | Sarang West, G, Jr. (Allen CC). 

Key Departures: Alexis Callins, G, Gr. (Union) | Allie Craig Cruce, F (Eligibility).

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Outlook: It’s a new era for North Alabama women’s basketball in just the school’s third season as part Division I and the FCS after coming up from Division II. UNA did not renew the contract of former head coach Missy Tiber, who led the Lions to a 172-147 record over 11 seasons. 

Instead, athletic director Josh Looney brought along his hire from Missouri Western Candi Whitaker. Looney hired Whitaker at MWSU in 2019, in which she led the Griffons to an overall record of 100-47 with an Division II Elite Eight Appearance in 2022, 2024 MIAA Regular Season Championship and 2024 MIAA Coach of the Year. Whitaker also brings key experience as a head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (two postseason appearances) from 2006-12 and Texas Tech–her alma mater– where she averaged just over 10 wins a season. 

The Lions are .500 early in Whitaker’s first season, beating UT Martin (66-63) and South Alabama (71-62) while losing to Tennessee Tech (73-64) and a most recent trip to Kansas (81-64). 

Only two players averaged double-digit points last season and both Alexis Callins (Union) and Allie Craig Cruce (graduated) are both gone from the roster. However, the Lions returned most of their roster that went 12-18 in 2023-2024. Give credit to Whitaker, who unlocked the abilities of Cameron Jones (10.5 PPG) and Emma Kate Tittle (9.3 PPG) who were the bottom two scorers from last season. 

Cal-State San Marcos transfer Charity Gallegas has been leading the way with 11.3 points per game with Clutter (7.8 PPG), Katie Criswell (6.8 PPG) and India Howard (5.8 PPG) all adding help. Transfer forward Jazzy Klinge has also provided four points and two rebounds per game off the bench. She came in from Allen Community College where she was a first-team NJCAA All-American last season. 

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For a program trying to find its footing in the Division I scene, a hire like Whitaker should spell confidence moving forward. However, it could be a painful couple years before seeing the rewards. A 10th-place voting in the ASUN preseason poll points toward a rough season, and the Huskers will most likely be their second consecutive blowout loss for the Lions. 

MORE: Nebraska Volleyball Setter Claims Fourth Weekly Big Ten Conference Honor

MORE: Carriker Chronicles: Dawson Merritt on Choosing Nebraska Over Alabama & More

MORE: Huskers Have Two Chances for Win No. 6

MORE: Nebraska Volleyball Remains at No. 2 in Latest AVCA Rankings

MORE: What Will it Take for Nebraska Football to Turn the Corner?

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.



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Nebraska Volleyball Setter Claims Fourth Weekly Big Ten Conference Honor

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Nebraska Volleyball Setter Claims Fourth Weekly Big Ten Conference Honor


Bergen Reilly’s stellar sophomore season continues to add more accolades.

The Nebraska volleyball setter claimed the Big Ten Conference’s Setter of the Week honor on Monday as the conference awarded weekly honors. It is the ninth time this season a Husker has been honored, and the fourth time for Reilly in 2024.

The sophomore led No. 2 Nebraska to wins over No. 16 Minnesota and Indiana with over ten assists per set and nearly four digs per set in the wins last week. In the four-set over the Golden Gophers Thursday, Reilly had 40 assists and a career-high 20 digs with six kills. She became the first Husker setter to record at least 40 assists, 20 digs, and five kills in a match in the rally scoring era.

Bergen Reilly goes out of bounds to keep the ball alive.

Bergen Reilly goes out of bounds to keep the ball alive. / Amarillo Mullen

Reilly then capped the weekend in a dominant Saturday sweep of Indiana, adding 35 assists with seven digs. She aided the Nebraska offense to a .324 hitting percentage, and totaled 75 assists, 27 digs, eight kills, seven blocks, and one ace over the two matches.

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Reilly joins her own company for the fourth time this season as the Huskers’ Setter of the Week honoree, claiming the award for the first time in November. She last won the award on Oct. 14, and had previously claimed the honor on Sept. 2 and Sept. 16.

Reilly’s fourth award keeps her ahead of Penn State freshman setter Izzy Starck, who has claimed the conference’s honor three times this season. Nebraska has had four players claim conference honors, as Reilly, middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick, and libero Lexi Rodriguez have all earned a weekly award this year.

Lexi Rodriguez passes the ball in the first set.

Lexi Rodriguez (black) passes the ball in the first set. / Amarillo Mullen

Allick has won two defensive players of the week honors, while Rodriguez has earned two. Jackson, a fellow sophomore, claimed defensive player of the week honors on Oct. 28. Reilly’s Nov. 18 honor marks the eighth Big Ten Setter of the Week honor of her career, as the South Dakota native won four weekly honors in 2023.

Nebraska (26-1, 16-0 B1G) continues to lead the Big Ten regular season race with key wins over the top teams in the conference, including No. 7 Wisconsin, No. 8 Purdue, No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Minnesota, No. 21 USC, and RV Washington. The No. 2 Huskers head to Iowa on Wednesday for a match in Iowa City, then return to Lincoln Saturday night for a home rematch against the Badgers.

MORE: Carriker Chronicles: Dawson Merritt on Choosing Nebraska Over Alabama & More

MORE: Huskers Have Two Chances for Win No. 6

MORE: Nebraska Volleyball Remains at No. 2 in Latest AVCA Rankings

MORE: What Will it Take for Nebraska Football to Turn the Corner?

MORE: Big Ten Jumps Into Latest College Basketball Top 25, 5 Conference Teams Ranked

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.

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