Our Cedar Valley Pickup Site pilot for the Iowa Food Hub Online Market is coming to a close, and we want to take a moment to celebrate what this community made possible.
Because of this pilot, new connections were formed, including a meaningful partnership between the Iowa Food Hub and Hansen’s Dairy. This kind of relationship-building is exactly what co-ops are meant to do. We bring people together, test new ideas, and lay the groundwork for something stronger. A special thank you to Hansen’s Dairy for opening up their space and helping make this pilot possible.
While this chapter is wrapping up, the momentum is real. There are a lot of exciting things happening around food access and local supply chains in the Cedar Valley, and we’re actively exploring what’s next.
We don’t need to wait for a physical store to start showing up for local food. We are a co-op, and we’re already doing the work. #DontWaitCooperate
In the meantime, there are still plenty of ways to stay connected to local food. Farmers market season is right around the corner. CSA shares with WeArose are still available (link here). You can also look for local products at area grocery stores. And the 2026 Cedar Valley Local Food Guide is a great place to start exploring.
Thank you for being part of this pilot, for your curiosity, and for showing up for local food in a real, tangible way. This is what cooperation looks like.