Open Harvest Non-Sustainable Products

We, the undersigned members and customers of Open Harvest Cooperative, believe that recent non-food additions to the store's product selection not only contravene its established purchasing policy, but also contradict its publicly stated mission to "provide good health through good nutrition."

The decision to carry these items displays a lack of respect for the principles upon which the Cooperative was founded; it disregards almost forty years' worth of accomplishment; and it undermines the Cooperative's standing as a promoter of sustainable practices and responsible consumption.

We do not object to the presence of non-food items at Open Harvest; but while we understand that a diverse product selection is essential to the solvency of the enterprise, we also believe that there are better ways to achieve profitability while still honoring values which the Cooperative claims to uphold.

It is possible to offer non-food items that suit the aims of the organization; but it is apparent that such considerations were not part of the decision-making process by which these new products were introduced. We reject the notion that products like non-rechargeable batteries, non-recycled paper notebooks and index cards, and toxic industrial lubricant are crucial to the continued existence of Open Harvest Cooperative.

We, the undersigned, therefore respectfully ask the Board to take the following actions:

1. Enact a systematic review of the recently added products and assess their compliance with the Purchasing Policy and the Mission Statement of Open Harvest;

2. Strengthen the Purchasing Policy by establishing clear guidelines which fit the Mission Statement; and by giving due consideration to the publicly stated philosophy of Open Harvest, rather than only its commercial necessities; and,

3. Direct the General Manger to apply the Purchasing Policy as an official store policy by which any Manager with purchasing authority must abide.

Thank you.