To fix that, the market held its first co-op fair Saturday in Carrboro. Hundreds of people came out to the event to learn more about the market’s cooperative ownership, sample food from local vendors, listen to music and enjoy the afternoon outside.
As a co-op, Weaver Street is co-owned by its consumers and its workers, meaning Carrboro residents who are a part of the co-op and Weaver Street staff share in the market’s profits.
James Watts, operations manager for Weaver Street Market, said the event was created to give the community a chance to celebrate its cooperative sector.
The fair featured booths with free food and beverage samples from several co-op members — including The Pig Restaurant, Two Chicks Farm, Mystery Brewing Company, Steel String Craft Brewery and LunaPops.
Attendees could browse the booths to the sound of live music from Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands, a Greensboro-based but nationally-recognized band that plays carnival-style, jazzy, accordion-heavy music. Kids were invited to make their own pretzel necklaces.
Recipients of the 2013 Cooperative Community Fund grants had displays at the fair, and candidates running for Weaver Street Market’s board of directors were on hand to meet and answer questions from community members.
Representatives from Eastern Carolina Organics, the Latino Community Credit Union and Self-Help Credit Union were also at the fair to share information about their organizations.
Watts said although there has never been a co-op fair before, the market has hosted many parties similar to it to promote its co-op partners.
