Rooted Carrot Cooperative Market continues to gain support and grow in membership as we establish ourselves as a crucial component of Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and the surrounding communities. And as with all co-ops, we are governed by seven co-op principles that make us distinct from other businesses and organizations. In past Garlic Press issues, you have read about the first four of these principles: Open and Voluntary Membership, Democratic Member Control, Members’ Economic Participation, and Autonomy and Independence.
The fifth cooperative principle is Education, Training, and Information. Through this principle, cooperatives provide adequate education and training for members, elected representatives, managers, and employees in order for these individuals to be able to understand and contribute effectively to the co-op’s development and ultimate success once doors are open. Co-ops also provide information about the nature and benefits of this unique business model to the general public. Providing this understanding of the important uniqueness and over-arching benefits of a food co-op is imperative as well as what distinguishes it from privately-owned grocery store businesses and natural food retailers.
The Rooted Carrot is a co-op that actively engages in providing solutions to issues such as sustainability, food insecurity, responsible sourcing of food and other grocery products, and the health of our local economy. The cooperative vision is about people working together to help one another as well as the community at large. Education, training, and information are all essential to the core of the cooperative dream.
Please consider joining the Rooted Carrot as a member today.