Weaver Street Market celebrates our partner co-ops. When cooperatives support each other, our impact grows exponentially. Here are the advantages of buying from co-ops:
- We get great quality because co-op farmers and artisans are invested in their work.
- We get competitive prices by buying directly from co-ops because we bypass outside distributors.
- We ensure that farmers and workers are paid fairly and have a growing market for their products.
- We expand the co-op business model in the US and around the world by partnering with other co-ops.
Weaver Street Market has great relationships with many co-op producers. Altogether, we purchased over $1 million from co-ops in the last year. Although cooperatives have much in common, they each have a unique story. During our Celebration of Co-ops, we’ll be highlighting some of these stories on our blog. (You can also pick up a printed publication in our stores.) Their stories are inspiring because of the challenges they overcame, and the impact they have had on their communities and the world.
The Co-op Difference
Cooperatives in the United States and around the world are making an impact on lives through the economic benefits that they bring to their owners, through their community and environmental initiatives, and through their collective efforts to create a people-centered economy.
Economic Impact
Cooperatives benefit the member owners, their communities, and those who buy the products or use the services.
Community Impact
Cooperatives strengthen their communities through local initiatives and environmental stewardship.
Societal Impact
Cooperatives transform society by empowering workers, producers, and consumers to be full participants in our economic system.
Weaver Street Market’s Co-op Difference
Economic Impact
- As the buying agent for our owners, we offer great-tasting, sustainably produced products that come from local, small, and cooperative producers.
- Our innovative Food House provides a growing product line of artisan baked goods, prepared foods, and meats—it’s the largest artisan bakery, kitchen, and butcher shop of any co-op in the country.
- We partner with local farmers and artisans to provide a growing market for their products. We proudly co-sponsor the Piedmont Farm tour with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association.
- Our downtown stores are the heart and hub of our community, providing food and drink, gathering places, fun events, and connections.
- We lead important community initiatives, including our Community Food Partnership to end hunger in Orange County by 2020.
- As an employee-owned business, we foster the well-being of our workers. We provide good pay, excellent health and retirement benefits, and year-end dividends based on profits.
Societal Impact
- We transform our community by empowering workers, consumers, and producers to be full participants in our food system. We partner with other co-ops to expand the cooperative model locally and around the world.