Like many businesses, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op operates on a June through July fiscal year. That means July is the beginning of our “new year,” and it also marks the beginning of our 4th year of operations. But this is no ordinary year of operations. It’s during this year that we’ll be tackling some of the most exciting steps in the Co-op’s development. Let’s take a moment for some updates and then a look ahead at what’s in store (pun intended) for your Co-op…Continue reading
Bike Ride + Ice Cream + Co-op Members = A Party!
June 2017 proves to be an amazing month for co-op growth. Come celebrate with members new and known at a bike ride and ice cream social!Continue reading
Board Happenings: June 2017
- We have a budget! Co-op business isn’t all fun and kayak giveaways. Just like any other business, we propose and adopt a budget every year. It’s not exciting, but it’s an important part of what we do, and we spend plenty of time making sure we’re using our funds wisely.
- Have you been to one of our Co-op potlucks? We’re planning to continue these throughout the year to give our members a chance to enjoy great food and even greater company.
- October will be here before you know it! We’ve started planning for our Annual Member Meeting and getting ready for our Board elections. If you or someone you know is passionate about building the Co-op, you’re encouraged to run for one of the open Board seats!
- Our next meeting will be July 17th, at 7pm, at Millrace. Guests are welcome!
Reaching 600 Members
What’s in a number? Quite a lot, as it turns out. Especially in the on-going effort to raise enough members to help open the doors for a community-owned grocery store.
When the Cedar Falls Food Co-op incorporated in the fall of 2014, the goal was to get 1,000 individuals to each become a founding member. The sooner we got 1,000 members, the sooner we’d have a grocery store.Continue reading
From the Board President: The Advantages of Community Ownership
Six years ago, when my wife and I were considering a move to Cedar Falls, we met with a group of residents, and, over lunch, listened to them explain what they liked and didn’t like about living in this part of Iowa. “What’s one of the best things about living in Cedar Falls?” we asked. Do you know what they all agreed on? It was the municipally-owned Cedar Falls Utilities. They said that with the local control, there’s better service and better prices.Continue reading
Something for Everyone!
June is the perfect time to join the Cedar Falls Food Co-op as a member owner. This month we are featuring six new business partners! Read on to learn about new ways to save!
The warming days of spring and a summer soon approaching have us reaching for a cold one at Lark Brewery of Waterloo. Find them on the lower level, beneath Beck’s Grill. Boasting forty-one different beers, there’s sure to be something for everyone! You can also find them on the Untapped app, a social media and beer rating app for beer enthusiasts. Lark Brewery is offering Co-op member owners 20% off all beers on the menu! Cheers!Continue reading
Good Times in May with Your Co-op
In May, Co-op member-owners and friends had chance to gather together for two fantastic events.
On Saturday, May 20, a group of Co-op friends carpooled to Des Moines and Ames for a day of fresh food and learning. They spent the morning at the downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, something everyone should experience. With around 300 vendors, this market spans four blocks of Court Street plus three side streets from 2nd to 4th. Live music greets visitors as all of their senses come alive through delicious smells of prepared food, colorful arrays of produce, and tasty samples of cheeses, breads and other goodies. Our co-op tour group took advantage of the offerings even happening upon a business partner’s booth, Laughing Tree Tea. Members of the tour purchased a variety of products, ate great food and even did a little dancing!
600 in June! Plus a kayak!
June is here and your Cedar Falls Food Co-op is doing another amazing membership campaign – this time current and new members could walk…errr…paddle away in a kayak!
We are on our way to 600 member-owners which will bring us closer to our capital campaign and site selection (see our new timeline for more details). We need you to help us get there.
Already a member? Talk to an acquaintance who has not joined – if you can commit to getting one new member-owner this month, you’ll help us easily reach our 600 goal. Be sure they indicate on their application that they heard of the co-op from you so you can be entered into our drawing (see below).
Not yet a member-owner? Why wait? With a one-time member share purchase of $200, you will be able to vote and have a say in what the co-op will look like. Your membership will quickly pay for itself and then some as you take advantage of our member-owner discounts at more than 50 area business partners! And you’ll also be entered into our drawing…
Thanks to Crawdaddy Outdoors in Waverly, we got a great deal on a Heron 9XT kayak that some lucky member-owner will win! To be eligible, join as a member-owner any day in June (2017) or if you are already a member-owner, be sure that the person you encourage to join adds your name to the application indicating how they learned about the co-op. Both new members and referrers who are members already will be entered into the kayak drawing (board members are not eligible).
Don’t miss this chance to beat the summer heat by heading out on the cool waters in a kayak and help spread the word about joining in June. The reward is gaining a full-service cooperative grocery store in Cedar Falls – and perhaps a new kayak too!
Member Spotlight: Henry Edsill
Henry Edsill and his wife Norma have been Iowa residents all of their lives. Henry was born and raised in Waterloo; Norma was born in Cedar Rapids and grew up in Bettendorf. In addition, they’ve lived and worked in Des Moines, Aplington, Mason City and Iowa City/Coralville. They moved back to Cedar Falls in 2005-06 where they’ve settled into their present home. Norma, who has a Masters in Library Science, recently retired while Henry is currently working as a lawyer, concentrating on wills, trusts, estate planning, administration and taxes. They have two children, Heidi and Sam, both of whom are in their 30’s and live out-of-state. Continue reading
Board Happenings: May 2017
Take a minute to see what your Board has been up to.
– Farmer’s Market season is underway! Be sure to keep an eye out for the Co-op at both the Downtown Cedar Falls and College Hill Markets.
– Our Annual June Campaign is underway again! This year we’ll be giving away a kayak to either a new member or someone who gets a new member to join! Check out the article in this month’s newsletter for all the details.
– We’ll also be in this year’s Sturgis Falls parade along with Rooty! If you’re interested in participating, contact Melanie Drake at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop.
– Yard signs are in the works! We have a sign up sheet for those interested in displaying the signs in their yards. If you’d like to be included, information is available on our website: https://rootedcarrot.coop/yard-sign-signup/.