Did you know that there have been over 125 start-up food co-ops to open across the U.S. in the last 2 decades? These communities know the value of keeping their dollars local, and they’ve realized one of the best tools to keep money circulating in the local economy is to create a community-owned grocery store. The greater Cedar Valley is doing the same thing by launching the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market.Continue reading→

WHO ARE THE NEWEST ROOTED CARROT CO-OP MARKET MEMBER-OWNERS?  These friends took that important step in supporting your Co-op!

• Bob Lentz, Cedar Falls
• Kerry Kloos, Cedar Falls
• Jesse Reinhardt, Cedar Falls
• Marilyn Hines, Waterloo
• Brigid Moody, Cedar Falls
• Peters Construction Corporation joined as a Business Member-Owner

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Because of generous donations given to the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market’s Scholarship Fund by some amazing Co-op supporters, we are excited to announce that the Rooted Carrot will be able to award $100 Member-Owner Share Scholarships again this year.  These Scholarships will cover the first $100 toward the Membership cost for our friends who would like to become member-owners but cannot cover the total $200 member share cost.  

We will begin accepting applications starting 02/01/2023. Scholarship recipient names will not be released and will remain confidential. If you have questions, please get in touch with us at info@rootcarrt.coop. Add Scholarship Question in the Subject line. 

If you would like to help someone become a member-owner, please consider donating toward our scholarship program.  You can easily donate online right here or send a check to the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market, PO Box 1002, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.  Please make checks payable to Rooted Carrot Co-op Market with “scholarship” in the memo line, along with a note letting us know that you wish this donation to go toward the Scholarship Fund.

Want to know how you can help the co-op right now?  By giving just a few hours a week, you can make a big difference in how quickly we can reach our goals. You can also learn more about your community, meet other dedicated members, and be a part of this meaningful work. We can’t do it without volunteers and right now we are looking for a few people to fill some vital positions. Let’s grow the co-op together – volunteer today!

If you attended our virtual annual member-owner meeting last month, the incredibly informative powerpoint you saw was put together by Paige Everly. Having been a board member for over a year, Paige has gifted the Rooted Carrot Co-op with her many talents that extend far beyond beautifully-put-together powerpoint presentations. And those who are lucky to serve on the board or committees with her often comment on her wonderful sense of humor and good story-telling.

Paige is no stranger to co-ops, having worked at New Pioneer Co-op in Iowa City years ago. She was assistant director of the deli, and a conversation with her about that experience almost always ends up in a description of one of the unique fresh recipes she mastered during that time. More recently, when she came back to her hometown of Cedar Falls, it was a no-brainer that she would invest in our Co-op as a member-owner. But she didn’t stop there. She joined the membership committee and has tirelessly provided her energy, expertise and enthusiasm to that work and beyond.  

Paige is a planner, and when she is helping put together one of our events, she leaves no stone unturned, even down to the smallest details. If you attended past events such as our Potluck in the Park, you would have experienced this with the adorable yet functional hand sanitizing station she brought. Or the beautiful signs she created for the food at our Member Mixer she organized at Octopus on College Hill. Paige also has an uncanny knack for seeing the big picture which serves her well in her board and other committee work. And she recently became the chair of the Operations Committee tasked with much important work ahead, such as hiring the General Manager.

Outside of Co-op time, Paige has many other passions. She works for Grinnell College’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations and one of her main responsibilities is overseeing Alumni Reunion, one of the longest-standing and largest events on that campus. She has volunteered for the Mid-Iowa Action Center (MICA) and the League of Women Voters. She loves spending time outdoors, specifically on the water in Eastern Iowa. When she’s indoors, she enjoys cooking and trying out new recipes. 

Inspired by her mom, who is also a Co-op member-owner, Paige looks at our start-up Co-op through a unique lens. “My mother started her own business when I was in grade school, and I know personally how important it is to support small, local businesses,” she says. “I am honored to work toward the goal of creating a store that will support our local economy, and remind us all to keep our dollars within our community.” 

Now that we have a location and we have moved into Phase 3, the Board has been busy planning for the future! In addition to the topics addressed in this newsletter (Capital Campaign, Volunteers, Members, and Scholarship Fund) we have been working on a Communication Strategic Plan to better align the work of all our committees (Site, Operations, Finance, Membership, Capital Campaign, and Communications). Continue reading→