Inside a Student-Run Grocery Store in Rural Nebraska

What if a school ran a grocery store—and it kept an entire town alive? In the tiny Sandhills village of Cody, Nebraska (population just 170), students at Cody-Kilgore Schools aren’t just learning in the classroom—they’re running a real grocery store. The Circle C Market is a unique, student-powered business that provides essential food access to a rural community where the nearest grocery store is nearly 40 miles away. From stocking shelves and managing inventory to helping customers and balancing finances, these students gain hands-on, real-world experience you simply can’t teach from a textbook. What started as a bold idea from local educators has become a lifeline for the community—and a powerful example of innovation in rural America. Follow along as we explore how this unique program works, meet the students behind the counter, and discover how a small town is proving it’s “too tough to die.” © 2026 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved. Learn more about the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship across Nebraska by visiting https://NebraskaPublicMedia.org/WhatIf This video, “Inside a Student-Run Grocery Store in Rural Nebraska,” is a part of the 7th season of “What If…Nebraska”. FOLLOW US: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NebraskaPublicMedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPublicMedia X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NebPublicMedia Instagram: https://instagram.com/NebraskaPublicMedia