Rural grocery stores are dying. Here's how some small towns are trying to save them

Students help run the Circle C Market in rural Cody, Neb., as part of classwork. As rural areas struggle to keep traditional grocery stores, some communities are finding innovative ways to keep the stores running. (Mike Tobias/Nebraska Public Media)

About five years ago, Emerson, Neb., lost its grocery store. Residents were forced to drive at least 20 miles to stock their pantries at the nearest full-service store.

Then last year this village of 824 people came together to open a new market. They raised nearly $160,000 of their own money — double their initial fundraising goal. And Post 60 Market was born.