A fundraising effort is underway for a new community-owned grocery store in Winston-Salem.
The SHARE Cooperative of Winston-Salem is spearheading the Harvest Market Co-op. The grocery store will be located in the West Salem shopping center on Peters Creek Parkway.
Reverend Willard Bass is one of the co-founders, along with Reverend Gary Williams. Bass says the area is one of many food deserts in the area.
“What makes this area so unique is the demographics are so broad, socioeconomically, racial-wise, religious-wise," says Bass. “We are going to use locally grown produce so we are connected to the local farmers.”
Organizers say anyone would be able to shop there and members would receive specials and discounts. They also plan to offer healthy eating classes and other community activities.
Bass says so far, the Harvest Market has around 270 members, but organizers still need to raise around $1.3 million to open the store. He hopes that will happen by adding more members, grants and other local investments.
Bass says if all goes as planned, the co-op would open by the end of the year.
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