The UNI Local Food Festival celebrates local food, art, and sustainability. It connects students, faculty, and staff to local food and farm businesses, community organizations, and student organizations focusing on local food, art, sustainability, and community.

There will be free food while supplies last.

Come check out these vendors and more! Fitkin Popcorn, Garden of Life, Iowa Food System Coalition, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Rooted Carrot, UNI-CEEE, Varda Farms & Apiary.

The vendor list will be updated in our Facebook Event! Check it out! 

September 10th 9:30 am-1:30 pm. The event will be held on Lawther Field (Campus Street) on UNI Campus. All are invited to attend on the University of Northern Iowa campus. See you there!

Did you know that 7 Cooperative Principles guide businesses worldwide, including your Rooted Carrot?  This ensures that the co-op keeps its focus on its members, customers, and the community it serves. Strengthening Communities through Cooperation.

The second principle is that of Democratic Governance. Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. People serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights – one member, one vote. 

You can put Principle #2 into practice in September as board applications are being accepted. Voting will take place in October.

To learn more about the shared values and these seven principles, visit the International Cooperative Association website.

Our Volunteer Appreciation night was last week. It was a beautiful evening to come together to thank our volunteers and share good conversation and a good meal. Thank you to all of our volunteers who take the time to keep our co-op moving forward! 

We are moving forward! There is always something happening whether it is preparing for this Garlic Press newsletter, a committee meeting, Board meeting, writing a grant, reconciling our Quickbooks account. Or it may be an extra meeting the Board and Site Committee scheduled to learn more about a potential site. Big or small, every task and action counts towards opening our full service grocery store! 

I know you have heard this before but WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! I am so thankful for everyone that has gotten us to this point in the last 10 years. But we have only a few people doing lots of work! The reality is we may not have enough manpower to get us to the next phase if we receive one of our grants or obtain a site. If you want to see our co-op become a reality please consider submitting a Board application or volunteering on one of our committees. 

There are two board positions open and my position is one of them. I have been on the Board for six years (and President for five of those) and it is time for someone else to take their turn. I have enjoyed it and learned so much. You do learn in the position because there are lots of professional development opportunities! I truly believe that our co-op will be stronger with new leadership and different ideas so please consider submitting your application. The remaining Board members–Lisa, Mindy, Mallory, Dave, and Nick-are fabulous to work with and each bring their own experiences. We have great discussions and a lot of fun! 

Jodie Huegerich,

President, Board of Directors 

New Event!! Celebrate World Earthworm Day!

Join together on Saturday, October 18th to learn about the important role worms play in soil health, and how these creatures can help people manage food waste. Those who attend will learn about Worm Bins, and will have the opportunity to make a bin to take home and use. Save the date, and stay tuned to RCCM on social media and the October Garlic Press for more details. 

Those who attended the Fall Food Festival last year were eager to see the event become an annual tradition once again. The Rooted Carrot Co-op is excited to be offering this free, family-friendly event to the community again this fall!

Come out and celebrate Iowa Local Food Day by learning, tasting, and supporting local farmers, producers, and businesses at the Rooted Carrot Co-op Fall Food Fest on Wednesday, September 24th, 6:30-8:00.

The festival will move to a NEW LOCATION this year! The Island Park Beach House will host local growers and producers who will be offering samples, sharing expertise, and answering questions about their businesses. There will be activities for children, live music, food trucks, and door prizes! 

Bring friends and neighbors and enjoy this community-building event! 

This is a big event, made possible by the efforts of volunteers. Setting up, tearing down, greeting, seeking donations for door prizes, painting children’s faces, planning and implementing a photo booth, wearing the Rooty costume…there are so many ways to help! If you would be available to help in any way, please email the Membership Committee as soon as possible. Thank you! 

The Co-op Board consists of seven members elected by the general Co-op membership. Board terms are three years. Responsibilities and expectations for those serving on the Rooted Carrot’s Board of Directors are outlined in the Candidate Application Packet.

We have a great group of dedicated board members who enjoy working together and bring a variety of expertise to the board. Currently, we meet once a month on the third Wednesday, either online or in-person at the Community Main Street Office. 

The Board is tasked with making decisions for the Co-op and accomplishing goals that get us closer to opening a full service grocery store. The Co-op cannot exist without the Board.

Not sure if you would be a good fit, take this quiz below! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via info@rootedcarrot.coop. Current board members are happy to answer questions! 

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

Volunteers are the engine that keeps the Rooted Carrot Co-op moving forward, bringing us ever closer to opening a full-service cooperative grocery store in Cedar Falls. All member-owners and supporters of the RCCM want to say THANK YOU! 

To show appreciation, the board will host a picnic at Washington Park on August 27th from 5:30-7:00. Those who volunteered in the past fiscal year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) should have received an email with information. Please remember to RSVP so we can plan well. You are welcome to bring other members of your household, so please count them in your RSVP using the link in the email. 

Many people have volunteered in big ways and small, and ALL are appreciated. If you volunteered during the past fiscal year and did not receive the email invitation, if you need the email sent again so you have the link, or have any questions, please reach out to info@rootedcarrot.coop. 

We continue to be an active organization planning events and actively searching for a co-op location. You can find us at local farmers’ markets this summer. Stop by and chat with us to learn more about what is going on with your co-op. 

Our committees-Communication/Education, Grants, Community Relations, and Site–continue to meet regularly to accomplish co-op goals that get us closer to a physical location. We are seeking individuals interested in joining a committee and/or member-owners interested in serving on the Board of Directors. A seven-member board with staggered three-year terms provides a balance of continuity and fresh perspectives. Reach out to a board member to learn more or email us at info@rootedcarrot.coop. Applications open August 25th and we encourage you to join our August 20th board meeting and/or have coffee with a board member to learn more. 

Thank you for considering. 

Jodie Huegerich

President, Board of Directors 

The Co-op Board consists of seven members elected by the general Co-op membership. Board terms are three years. Responsibilities and expectations for those serving on the Rooted Carrot’s Board of Directors are outlined in the Candidate Application Packet.

We have a great group of dedicated board members who enjoy working together and bring a variety of expertise to the board. Currently, we meet once a month on the third Wednesday, either online or in-person at the Community Main Street Office. 

Not sure if you would be a good fit, take this quiz below! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via info@rootedcarrot.coop. Current board members are happy to answer questions! 

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

Dear Members and Supporters,

We’re excited to share an update from the Site Selection Team as we continue our journey to bring the Rooted Carrot to life!

Over the past few months, our team has been actively touring potential sites in the downtown district, narrowing our focus to three promising locations. Each space offered unique possibilities—charming storefronts, walkable neighborhoods, and vibrant surrounding businesses that reflect the community spirit we hope to cultivate.

However, despite the initial excitement, we encountered a shared challenge across all three sites: insufficient parking.

As a member-owned grocery cooperative, accessibility for all our members is key. That means making it as easy as possible for families doing their weekly shop, older adults, and folks commuting from nearby neighborhoods to reach. Unfortunately, each downtown site we visited had either no dedicated parking or limited shared lots that wouldn’t reliably accommodate our needs.

Here’s a quick summary of what we found:Continue reading→