The work of the Co-operatives Movement in Barbados will be showcased on Friday, November 4, during a co-operatives market (co-op mart), which will be held on the grounds of Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael.
Hosted by the Co-operatives Department of the Ministry of Energy and Business, it will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and members of the public are encouraged to attend and support the entrepreneurs.
There will be a special focus on the products and services of the Women Entrepreneurs Co-operative, and co-operatives in the agricultural sector. These will include Ujamaa, the Organic Growers Co-operative and the Pinnacle Co-operative. Several small businesses will be displaying their products and offering services, including Patient Boutique, and Christopher Gilkes of the disabled community, who will sell hand-made jewellery.
Various items will be on sale, including agricultural produce, plants, gift items, tamarind balls, natural drinks, several types of jewellery, craft, and local wines.
Additionally, the Organic Growers Co-operative will provide locally available organic products, cassava flour, dried herbal teas, fresh produce, and bamboo hanging plant holders. There will also be hand-spun sea island cotton products made from locally grown cotton.
Free health checks will be provided by the Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados, and Pan-American International Insurance Corporation’s representative, Sylvia Yearwood, will share information on life insurance, personal accident, comprehensive major medical, and dental and vision.
Vegetarian food samples prepared by Pinnacle Co-operative Society Limited and pork samples from the Pig Farmers’ Co-operative, prepared by Dr. Phil’s Kitchen will be offered to the public in the morning, while other food items and refreshments will be on sale in the afternoon.
Co-op Resident DJ Glen will be present, and steel pan virtuoso, Elan Marie Jordan, will also be featured during the fair.
Registrar of Co-operatives, Brent Gittens, stressed the importance of the fair, saying it would give the exhibitors another platform to showcase and sell their quality goods and services.
“In addition, the fair gives the public an opportunity to see that members of co-operatives are astute businessmen and women, entrepreneurs and innovators in the Barbadian marketplace,” Mr. Gittens stated.
This fair is part of the activities to heighten the public’s awareness about the work of the Co-operative Movement in Barbados.