Cedar Falls Food Co-op at the Farmers Markets

Are you excited for the farmers markets to start up again? We sure are! Here are the dates that we are scheduled to host a booth at the Cedar Falls markets this year.  We may add additional dates, so be sure to like us on Facebook for all the latest updates!

Cedar Falls Downtown Farmers Market

Location: Overman Park, Cedar Falls

Time: Saturdays, 8:30-Noon

We will be there on:

5/13/17

5/27/17

6/10/17

7/8/17

8/12/17

9/9/17

 

College Hill Farmers Market

Location: College Hill – lot next to Octopus

Time: Thursdays, 4-6pm

You can find us there on:

6/15/17

7/13/17

8/17/17

9/14/17

10/12/17

 

Check out these resources about farmers markets! Share the local food movement love! 

10 Reasons to Shop At Farmers Markets

6 Advantages of Buying Your Food At Local Farmers Markets

15 Benefits of Shopping At A Local Farmers Market

Wheatsfield Co-op and Des Moines Farmers Market Field Trip

The Ames community cooperative grocery, Wheatsfield has recently joined on as a business partner, offering the same discounts to Cedar Falls Food Co-op member-owners that they give to their members! Join us on a field trip to tour their recently renovated store as well as spend some time in Des Moines at the amazing downtown farmers market.

Photo from CFFC field trip to New Pioneer Food Co-op

Saturday, May20, 8:00 a.m. – around 4:00 p.m.

Schedule:

  • 10:00 a.m. – noon: Des Moines Farmers Market
  • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.: Tour and exploring/shopping at Wheatsfield Cooperative, Ames
  • 2:30 p.m. departure, return home around 4 p.m.

 

If you plan to attend, you must RSVP for this event by May 17 in order for us to determine transportation and number of tour groups for Wheatsfield. RSVP to outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop or 319-830-3398. Please provide your name, contact information and how many will attend. If we do not have enough attending, we may end up canceling the trip, so let us know if you plan to join us. Thank you!

Potluck Celebration

Do you have a new recipe you want to try or favorite recipe to share? Come join the Co-op for a potluck to celebrate member-owners who are investing in their co-op. Members, bring friends – everyone is welcome to this family-friendly event. Join us over good food and connect with fellow co-op supporters.

Tuesday, May 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Seerley Park Shelter (on Tremont Street, Cedar Falls)

Join us rain or shine – the rain location will be next to the park.

Bring a dish to share and your own beverage. We will provide water. In honor of the environment, please also bring your own tableware (plate, cup, silverware). We will have napkins. Questions? Contact our outreach coordinator at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop.

16 Ways to Help the Co-op (without joining a committee)

Previously, I’ve written about common questions I hear from Co-op members. “Where will the Co-op be?” being the most asked. Another common question, though, shows just how excited the community is about this project.

And the community is excited. Did you know that the City of Cedar Falls has a new strategic plan? The plan, “Future Forward Cedar Falls 2025” outlines 15 goals for the next 8 years; #5 is: “A sustainable local foods co-op within Cedar Falls.” More community excitement? Yes: 48 businesses in Cedar Falls and Waterloo (and beyond!) have pledged their support by offering discounts and specials to the 535+ folks who have stepped up to investing in their community by becoming a member of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op.

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Bring the Savings Home!

Our newest business partner brings things a little closer to home. Welcome Basket of Daisies, a shop offering home decorating expertise since 1979. Nestled in the heart of historic Main Street in Cedar Falls, shoppers can find sophisticated accessories and fine home furniture to upgrade their style. For those undertaking larger design projects, Basket of Daisies offers consultation services and design packages. A business specializing in home design wouldn’t be complete without offering artificial floral design services, provided by an in house florist. Basket of Daisies rounds out their offerings with wedding registries, donation services, and gift cards.

Cedar Falls Co-op member-owners will now receive 10% off their purchase! Visit Basket of Daisies to make your inspired ideas for your home a reality!

Find more details about Basket of Daisies and our other business partners on our website at  https://rootedcarrot.coop/business-partner-specials/.

 

Up & Coming Re-Cap

This year six Cedar Falls Food Co-op representatives were able to attend this year’s Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference, which was attended by over 60 start up food co-ops across the U.S. This annual conference is focused on helping communities start their own food co-ops. They offer workshops and resources from industry experts and other co-ops that have been successful. Between the six Cedar Falls Food Co-ops representatives, they were able to attend over 20 workshops. These included:

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Board Happenings: March 2017

 

  • The Co-op was able to send 6 people to this year’s Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference. This included President Tom Wickersham, Vice President Joy Thorson, Secretary Jess Cruz, Outreach Coordinator Melanie Drake, and committee members Luann Alemao and Xianli Zeng. Read the Conference Re-cap in this month’s newsletter.
  • We are getting ready to move into the next phase of our development. This includes assembling a site selection committee and a capital campaign committee. This is an extremely exciting time, and we can use volunteers in every capacity. If you’d like to help your Co-op grow, contact Outreach Coordinator Melanie Drake to see where your talents best fit.
  • Keep an eye out for the Co-op when you’re out and about. We’ll be a a number of community events in April, so if you see us be sure to stop and say “Hi!”
  • When will we open?! We’ll be releasing an updated timeline in the next month so you can stay up to date on everything the Co-op’s doing.