The Rooted Carrot Cooperative Market is a community-owned grocery store that seeks to enhance the health and well-being of the greater Cedar Valley. Continue reading→

As your Co-op continues doing the important work of opening a full-service community-owned grocery business, the contribution of volunteers on each committee is crucial. One such committee that has been a steady and often-under-the-radar force is the Rooted Carrot’s finance team. Continue reading→

Patience is not a popular virtue in our instant gratification culture. We’ve become accustomed to having our wishes granted with the tap of an app or by simply shouting, “Hey Siri, build us co-op in Cedar Falls!” We wish it were this easy. Building a community co-op is pioneer work, one bumpy, risky, dream-filled step at a time. What does it take to get to the Promised Land?Continue reading→

Attendees enjoyed the Member mixer potluck and volunteer appreciation night at Washington Park last month! Please pay attention to the calendar of events and articles about upcoming events. We may not have a physical store at this time but we are a Co-op community and we want to bring together members and other people who may be interested in learning more about the Co-op. All of our events are open to members and nonmembers. The only exception is the Member-owner Annual Meeting. That is an opportunity for members only to get an update on the Co-op.Continue reading→

Join Our Board!

Do you have a vision and a passion for building and advancing a cooperatively-owned local business?

Do you want to be part of the team that helps to bring a unique grocery store stocked with locally-produced products to Cedar Falls?

Do you want to help make decisions regarding the store site, store design, and hiring of the general manager?Continue reading→

Regular readers of the Garlic Press (and Co-op member-owners) know there’s a Capital Campaign underway to raise necessary funds for the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market. But some have been wondering, “Why don’t I hear much about the campaign?” Good question!Continue reading→

Join Rooted Carrot Co-op members and potential members on the Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network Farm Crawl. The Farm Crawl is an opportunity for community members to learn how your food is grown and learn about local producers’ growing practices. You also have the opportunity to visit some backyard gardens and community gardens. The event is free, fun for all ages, and anyone can attend. You can find out more information at Farm Crawl 2022 | Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network (cvfoodfarmnetwork.org). Follow Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network on Facebook and Instagram. The website will be updated with new locations every week so check back often! Continue reading→

You may have seen this recent article in the Courier. YES we are still actively seeking a site and YES we still have volunteers working daily on bringing a Co-op to the Cedar Valley!!!! Continue reading→

The Capital Communications Committee is dreaming up some fun ways to promote the Capital Campaign when it fires up again! One such project is a video to be recorded at area Farmer’s Markets. The Committee would LOVE your help with this—you simply will be recorded saying a few words about how the Co-op is important to you. Yep, that’s it! And market vendors who are members of the Rooted Carrot, we’d love your input too! Recording will happen at local markets in the near future – let us know by June 15 if you (and your family!) want to be part of the video. Call 319.535.0281 or email info@rootedcarrot.coop. Thanks, this is going to be FUN!Continue reading→

This year’s Up & Coming Conference for start-up food co-ops was arranged by the Indiana Cooperative Development Center and Food Co-op Initiative, and hosted by Willy Street Co-op in Madison, WI on May 19-21. The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market received a $500 scholarship to assist in attendance costs. These grants were made possible through the generosity of the Ralph K. Morris Foundation, the Cooperative Development Foundation, and Food Co-op Initiative. Board members Gina Maria Brown, Christine Sexton, Lisa Nelson, and Tom Wickersham took this opportunity to witness solidarity among cooperatives with over 50 workshops presented by consultants and peers. Each day the four board members broke into different workshop tracks based around the four cornerstones for startup food co-ops (Vision, Talent, Systems/Operations, & Capital).  Below are some reflections from Gina, Lisa, and Tom.Continue reading→