The Co-op Exists Now

Lisa Nelson, Board President

Have you heard or read something that unexpectedly shifts your perspective, then, over time, other pieces fall into place? 

I’m one of the people often seen at events, at the Rooted Carrot Co-op table – sharing my enthusiasm for the co-op, answering questions, and handing out bookmarks with information. I enjoy meeting new people, and many people are unaware the co-op exists. They are excited at the prospect of greater access to local foods, and of having the power to give input on what is on the shelves of their own grocery. 

Other people have heard of the co-op and have questions about why we don’t have a store, what’s taking so long, and “Aren’t you going to build at 7th and Main St.?” All legitimate questions. 

As a part of the membership team, I’ve described the RCCM as a group of people who are working together to own a local grocery, listing all of the underlying positive impacts that it will have on the well-being of myself, my neighbors, and the Cedar Valley, almost always speaking in future-tense. 

Last month, I heard something at an online co-op leaders’ training that caused a shift. All of the things I’ve shared at tabling events are still true, AND the co-op exists now. We are that group of member-owners, and are having a positive impact on our community even without a brick and mortar store. Continue reading→

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.

By: Co+op

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Avocados are the star of this colorful salad. With black beans and queso fresco, the salad is perfect for a side and has enough heft to serve as a light lunch.

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup slivered red onions
• 4 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large avocados, diced

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, grape tomatoes, red onions and queso fresco. Toss to mix.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, olive oil and salt and whisk to combine.
3. Add the diced avocado to the black bean mixture, then pour the lime juice mixture over it. Toss to mix and serve.

Serving Suggestion

Serve alongside tacos or atop a bed of lettuce with a side of tortilla chips

Nutritional Information

290 calories, 20 g. fat, 15 mg. cholesterol, 350 mg. sodium, 19 g. carbohydrate, 7 g. fiber, 9 g. Protein

Link: https://www.grocery.coop/recipes/avocado-and-black-bean-salad

The Rooted Carrot Co-op continues to find ways to build up the local food economy in the Cedar Valley. We are so fortunate to have many strong farmer’s markets opening very soon! What a great opportunity to meet the people growing and making things in our region and to support their efforts. But, not everyone who values local products attends farmer’s markets, and there may be local items that just aren’t available at the farmer’s market.  

To expand on our local markets and give people more opportunity to access local goods, the  membership team is working with WeArose to offer a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) delivery in Cedar Falls. People who invest in a CSA support farmers by purchasing produce in advance and receiving in-season fresh produce each week. This provides important guaranteed capital and a consistent market for the farmer while building connections with customers. Click Here to read more!

The Rooted Carrot Co-op has also partnered with the Iowa Food Hub to manage a weekly delivery in Cedar Falls. This provides another access point for us all to access local, fresh products year round. Beyond building connections between producers and consumers, another goal of this partnership is that, as the food hub becomes more present in the Cedar Valley, more producers in our community may begin to sell their items through the Iowa Food Hub. As more markets open to offer local produce, we strengthen the local food economy and build a strong foundation for a locally-owned cooperative grocery store. Click Here to read more!

This is just a taste of what the Rooted Carrot Co-op board and committees are doing to build and support networks centered around local food access within our community. If you want to be an active part of this movement, email info@rootedcarrot.coop today! 

Lisa Nelson
Board President

We’re partnering with the Iowa Food Hub to bring their online farmers market to the Cedar Valley—with a weekly pick-up site at Hansen’s Dairy Store in Cedar Falls. 

Since 2012, Iowa Food Hub, based in Decorah, Iowa, has been connecting individuals, schools, colleges, restaurants, and grocery stores to healthy, locally grown food. Their year-round online market purchases from dozens of producers in Iowa and adjacent communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Even in the off-season, the market features 150+ items, including fresh and frozen vegetables, meat, flour, spices, tea, and more. As the growing season begins, many more items will be added. 

To keep our partnership with Hansen’s Dairy Store strong, we ask that you do not order the following items through the online hub:

• Dairy, Beef, Eggs, or Sourdough

Instead, please purchase these directly from Hansen’s when you arrive for pick-up. It’s a win-win for local business! Using the site-specific Cedar Falls Dropsite Market Storefront created within the Iowa Food Hub will help shoppers stay within these guidelines. 

How it works:

• Shop online Monday–Wednesday
• Pick up the following Monday at Hansen’s Dairy Store
• No minimum order, and no need to order every week

For specific details and to access the link for the Cedar Falls Dropsite Store, go to the Rooted Carrot Co-op/IFH partnership page.

Saturday, April 11, 2:00-3:00 at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective, 218 W. 4th St., Waterloo

Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance

Learn how to keep your bike running smoothly in this workshop that will cover the nuts and bolts of bicycle components, tips and tricks for cleaning, applying lube, and setting tire pressure, how to make small adjustments in brake and shifting performance, and the best tools and products to keep your bike in tip top shape. The instructor, Mark Stevenson, has over 30 years of bicycle maintenance experience and is sure to teach new and experienced cyclists something new! Bring your bike if you would like to apply these concepts specifically to your bike. Everyone should bring their questions!

As of this writing, there is still room for 6 more people and only 2 more bikes. If this session fills up, we will start a wait list and work to schedule another. Use this form to sign up!  Youth may attend if accompanied by an adult. 

Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective is a non-profit organization that builds community through bicycling. We increase access to affordable bicycles and bike safety by refurbishing used bicycles, providing education and advocacy, and hosting events and education. 

Thank you, Adam, from Iowa Worm Farm, for the great information on making and maintaining a Worm Bin Farm.

We now have 22 Worm Farms in a 5-gallon food-grade bucket, and 10 people learning about worms and composting.

Did you know you can reduce the amount of organic matter taken to the landfill? At our event, we learned how to turn food scraps into garden gold with the help of red wigglers. 30/40% of food is thrown away from home and grocery stores. You also use cardboard and paper in the bins. You can use the worm castings in your garden, house plants, and make a compost tea for your plants.

Adam has great knowledge, as we learned more about worm composting, vermicomposting, soil health, reducing waste, and sustainable living.

By: Co+op

Total Time: 20 minutes active, 25-40 minutes baking

Servings: 16 bars

The bright lemon flavor of these bars makes a great finish to a dinner of hearty Mediterranean dishes like pasta or ratatouille. Of course, they’re a delicious midday snack as well.

Ingredients

Crust

3/4 cup butter, cold and cut into small pieces

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

Sour cream topping (optional)

3/4 cup light sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Filling

4 large eggs

1 1/3 cups sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon lemon zest, minced

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (3-4 lemons)

Pinch of salt

Preparation

Continue reading→

The play runs April 24 – 26.

This play is a story set 22 years in the future in a laboratory where four amazing women are trying to keep the last remaining bees alive. In this world, there is no more almond milk, no moths, no lightning bugs, no strawberries. It’s a one-act show, so not too long. And a very heartfelt, funny, sad, wonderful story. 

CFCT is suspending sales of plastic water bottles during this show’s run. Black Hawk County Extension and Outreach will be in attendance with a table with free seeds and answers to questions after every show. 

Get tickets online at https://mycfct.ludus.com/index.php | 319-277-5283 | Box Office Mon-Fri 12-4PM.

Check out these links for Cedar Valley Events!

• Cedar Falls Public Library Calendar: https://cedarfallslibrary.org/programs-and-events/
• Waterloo Public Library Calendar: https://www.waterloopubliclibrary.org/events/month
• Hearst Center for the Arts | Cedar Falls | https://www.thehearst.org/events-programs-1
• Community Main Street | Cedar Falls | https://www.communitymainstreet.org/events
• Main Street Waterloo | https://www.mainstreetwaterloo.org/calendar
• Cedar Falls Tourism | https://www.cedarfallstourism.org/