GLASGOW — A local food cooperative is looking to grow, and in order to do so it needs more people to buy into the business.
One way of getting more people to come on board is to host a fundraiser that co-op officials believe will show everyone what the Green Market can offer once it becomes established.
The Green Market Harvest Fest and Fundraiser is set for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Christian Church in Glasgow on North Race Street.
There is no admission charge for the event, however, tickets must be purchased for the Harvest Fest food sampling, which will feature local lamb and turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pies among other organic foods.
“We tried to use as much local products that are in season for the food sampling,” said Kimberly Page, president of the Green Market.
Tickets for the Harvest Fest are $15 for adults, $5 for children and children under the age of 3 will be admitted free.
There will also be a mini-market with local and organic foods, specialty foods, holiday foods and ingredients, as well as unique holiday gifts.
“It’s specifically to give people an idea of what we will have when the store opens,” Page said.
Two classes will also be offered free during the event.
The first class, “Your Mother Was Right — You Are What You Eat,” will be taught by Dr. William Travis, and will begin at 11:45 a.m. The second class, “Herbal Gift Giving Ideas,” taught by Jan Phipps, is set to start at 12:45 p.m.
Officials are hoping to open their own store sometime next year, but Page said how soon it will open will depend on community support.
“We have to have 40 to 60 percent of our funding before we can go to the bank for additional funding,” she said. “That's because we have co-op status.”
Page is hoping more people will become interested in becoming co-op members by attending the harvest fest and fundraiser this weekend.
The fee to become a member of the co-op is $200.
“That is a one-time investment of $200,” she said. “There is no annual fee.”
Green Market hosted a similar event in the spring, and Page said it turned out to be a good fundraiser for the organization, but said the real focus of the events is to encourage people to become co-op members.
“Although we need money, we need owners,” she said. “We’re really hoping to bring people on board, because the quicker we can bring people on board, the quicker we can open.”
For more information about Green Market visit the co-op’s Web page at www.greenmarketcoop. com or call (270) 404-5423.
