Happy Summer! The Board of Directors and committees and volunteers are keeping busy! Our Community Relations Committee is making good connections and our Membership/Communications Committee is at farmers markets and planning fun events for all of us. In addition they bring us lots of information through our monthly Garlic Press and social media posts. 

The Board approved our 2024-2025 fiscal year budget that started July 1st. We are planning for board members and committee members to attend the Up & Coming Conference in September in Michigan. 

We are planning a volunteer appreciation for August and possibly bringing the Fall Festival back in September. Also watch for information on the member-owner annual meeting and how you can apply to become a board member starting November 1st. 

Jodie Huegerich, 

President, Board of Directors 

• Cedar Falls Farmers Market – July 13th & Sept. 28th, 8:30-12 at Overman Park
• Waterloo Urban Farmers Market – July 27th, 8-12 at Riverloop Plaza
• Waverly Farmers Market – June 8th & August 24th, 8:30-12 at South Riverside Park, just south of the fire station on 1st St. SW

The annual Farm Crawl, hosted by the Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network, UNI Local Food Program, We Arose, and Waterloo Bicycle Works, will be held August 11 from 1:00-5:00.

Take this opportunity to meet local producers and learn more about all they do to bring their goods to consumers.

Again this year, the Rooted Carrot Co-op is excited to support this effort by partnering to host an after party from 5:00-7:00 at the We Arose demonstration gardens. This year there will be vendors at the after party, and food will be available for purchase. Come share your love of local producers with others!!

NOTE: This year’s farm crawl will include tastings AND a guided route for both vehicles and bikes. Thus, registration will be required. Please visit https://ceee.uni.edu/farm-crawl for details!

The board of the Rooted Carrot Co-op takes the fiscal health of the co-op very seriously. Monthly financial reports allow the board to closely monitor the income and expenses, with the goal of opening a cooperative grocery always at the forefront. The May meeting of the board included work on the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. Many thanks to Gina Brown, past treasurer, and our current treasurer Allie Hartz for their leadership on this!

The Grant Committee is exploring some exciting grant opportunities on the horizon. While we did receive word that the RCCM was not awarded the grant that was mentioned in the April Garlic Press, our application was so impressive to the committee that RCCM was one of the top 3 finalists! This affirms the mission and direction we are heading, and also is recognition for the Grant Committee’s efforts!  

This is just a small sample of the many ways the Rooted Carrot Co-op board and committees continue the work of building support, creating important connections, and fulfilling the mission of the Rooted Carrot Co-op. As a board, we appreciate all who are along on the journey.

Lisa Nelson
RCCM Board Vice-president & Membership/Communications Chair

One of our Rooted Carrot values is Education: We encourage informed choices by educating ourselves and our community on issues of food, wellness, the environment, and human rights.

According to a new report by Feeding America, a nonprofit, nearly 11% of all Iowans and more than 15% of Iowa children are considered food insecure. The report is based on data from 2022, which is the most recent available. For details, here is the link to the report: ‘Map the Meal Gap’: Iowa’s hunger problem is worsening

This is sobering news.

How can you help? Volunteer and/or financially support Northeast Iowa Food Bank (neifb.org) and/or small pantries in your area and stay informed on policies that are affecting Iowans. Check out the Iowa Hunger Coalition and sign up for their monthly newsletter that guides you in taking action to help fight hunger and food insecurity.

SAVE THE DATE!! Preliminary planning for the annual Volunteer Appreciation event has begun! Volunteers, please save Sunday, August 25th and watch for further details! 

As we welcome the opening of the Cedar Valley’s farmers market season and the eventual launch of The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market, we’re excited to share our vision for supporting local farms and strengthening our community through the availability of locally sourced vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, poultry, grocery, wellness products, and more.

At The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market, we’re deeply committed to the idea of “rooting” ourselves within our local community and fostering connections with nearby farmers. We understand that our neighboring farms are not just suppliers, but integral partners in our journey. By supporting them, we aim to enrich the local economy, reduce our environmental impact, and ensure that our future members have access to the freshest, highest quality ingredients possible.

While our nearest co-op may be 60 miles away at present, we’re determined to bridge this gap and bring the benefits of a cooperative market closer to home. We recognize that each co-op has its own set of standards, but one principle remains universal: a dedication to sourcing locally whenever feasible. By prioritizing local, regional, and statewide producers, we will ensure that our shelves are stocked with the freshest, most flavorful products available.Continue reading→

April’s member meetup was a Recycling Education Event at the Center for Energy and Environmental Education with a variety of activities, snacks, and learning opportunities! About 25 people came to learn how to be more effective recyclers and learn about the recycling system. 

John Foster, the director of Black Hawk County Solid Waste Commission gave a history of the landfill and recycling programs in the area and expertly fielded questions from the audience. John invited folks to reach out to him to schedule other education opportunities including touring the Black Hawk County landfill to see how they pack over 1,000 pounds of garbage into every square yard!

Green Iowa members also provided education on home composting and had a seed planting activity where recycled cans were used as the planting pots. Two attendees were lucky enough to go home with a new compost bin donated by Green Iowa! 

Let the membership committee know what topics or activities you would like to see for future member meetups! Contact Us

This month, the Board prioritized diligence in our decision-making processes by reviewing and learning how to utilize our Proforma tool to guide strategic choices. Our exploration of potential grocery store sites continues!  Your ongoing support is invaluable as we work towards our shared vision for The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market.

Besides utilizing financial data to make decisions, we are also driven by our core values. In alignment with our core value of sustainability, The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market recently hosted a successful recycling event to celebrate Earth Day. This initiative reflects our commitment to minimizing waste and promoting environmental stewardship within our community.

Mallory DeVries
Board Member

The Membership team attended the Aldrich Elementary School Wellness Night on Friday, April 26th. Kids who spun the wheel were given an exercise to do to earn a prize! Often, Rooty exercised along with them! While the kids were having fun with Rooty, we shared the story of Rooted Carrot Co-op with parents. Around 100 people, including some current member-owners, stopped by our table. It was great fun!

If you know of any wellness fairs (school, corporate, etc.) in the Cedar Valley that are looking for vendors, please let us know! A key component of our mission as a co-op is to enhance the health and well-being of our whole community. We welcome the opportunity to share this part of our story with others, and wellness fairs are a good fit for us! Contact Us