As the terms of the Board of Directors are staggered, this summer we will once again have an opportunity for Co-op members to run for election to the Board. Every year 3 seats are open, and each term is 3 years. Full details about how to become a candidate for the Board of Directors are on the Co-op’s website. The deadline to submit an application for candidacy is September 9.

I invite you to consider joining in this effort. It is demanding, but extremely rewarding work. As we get closer to opening our doors, you be part of the leadership that oversees the transition from our development stage to an actual, physical grocery store. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Foodies rejoice! Join us in welcoming two new locally owned restaurants to our Business Partners.  But that’s not all! Car aficionados will appreciate discounts at a local repair shop. Read on….

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Urban Pie yet, now’s your chance! Co-op member-owners will receive 15% off of their dine in order. Fresh to the downtown foodie scene (since February 2017) Urban Pie’s pizzas are a fresh take on an old staple. Urban Pie is a “fast casual, family-friendly restaurant. We create high quality Neapolitan-inspired pizza in an on-the-go setting. Eat in or take out, it’s all good with us.” They offer a fast-fired pizza, cooked in a high temperature open flame oven. Their menu includes several great pizza topping combinations, all fully customizable to your taste. Wings, breadsticks, and dessert pizza are also featured. If you’re thirsty, you may order any of eight beers on tap! Check them out here: http://www.urbanpiecf.com/ . Continue reading→

Chotto House is a membership based business, but their store, cafe, and classes are open to the public.  They specialize in bubble teas, coffee, smoothies, crepes, pastries, and classes! What kind of classes do they offer, you ask? So far, they have taught a cake decorating class, with more to come including lessons on Thai cuisine and kid’s activities! If you’re in the mood for shopping, Chotto House can help you there as well, as they offer items that would make a perfect gift. Chotto House knows the value of supporting local businesses, so they signed up right away to be a business partner! Co-op member-owners can become automatic members (show your Co-op membership card) of Chotto House and receive one free class per month, plus one free bubble tea, smoothie, or crepe per month.  Also, if you bring a friend, they will receive 1/3 off the price of a class! Sweet deal, right! Check them out on Facebook and online: https://www.chottohouse.com/about.

Don’t forget to take advantage of all the co-op member discounts you are eligible for. Check on who all our business partners are here: https://rootedcarrot.coop/business-partner-specials/.  The savings really add up!

This fall, the Cedar Falls Food Co-op will be conducting its annual elections for the Board of Directors. Before that gets underway, though, there’s still an opportunity for you to run for the Board.

The Co-op is currently accepting applications for members interested in serving on the Board. Details about running for the Board are on the Co-op’s website. There you’ll find an application and other important details, including a comprehensive FAQ.  Mailed applications should be postmarked by Thursday, September 7, and emailed applications should be sent by midnight on Saturday, September 9.

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What can save energy in your home and add a stylish accent? Window treatments of course!  Now co-op member owners can shop at Budget Blinds of Waterloo to save 25% off their order plus receive a free decorative pillow on orders over $500! Budget Blinds has been in business since 2012 and offer shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and window film. Their selection includes window treatment solutions for commercial buildings, child safe options, and they even extend their design sense to flooring, bedding, and wall decor. Follow this link to their website to learn more: http://www.budgetblinds.com/decorative-film/.

If shopping for new window treatments left you hungry, consider Chad’s Pizza on 23rd Street in Cedar Falls. Chad’s does a whole lot more than pizza, including appetizers, chicken or fish tubs and combos, basket dinners, sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Make sure you try some of their specialties such as the Funk Burger or the Panther Pizza. Rather have them bring the pizza to you? Chad’s delivers in style so look out of the Chadillac pizza delivery service! Offering daily specials and regular entertainment, Chad’s has a lot to offer as a co-op business partner. Co-op member owners can enjoy pizza on a weekly basis with this special offer: Buy 1 Large (14″) specialty pizza (a $17.95 regular price) per week for $50 a month, 3 Large specialty pizzas per week for $135 a month, and 6 Large specialty pizzas per week for $240 a month. Ask about their healthy pizza diet options! Contact Chad’s Pizza with discount questions. Look at their menu here: http://www.chadspizzacf.com/menu.html.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our business partners! Find them here: https://rootedcarrot.coop/business-partner-specials/

Do you want to help your Cedar Falls Food Co-op, but you don’t have time to volunteer? No worries! You can donate an item needed to help our Co-op run so that we can focus our limited budget on other start-up costs it takes to open our grocery store.

The list may fluctuate as we continue in our progress, but here are some current needs:

• Forever Stamps
• 100% Recycled multipurpose office paper (8.5” x 11”)
• Paper Cutter
• Ink for Co-op Printer
• Access to a copier for small-batch Co-op jobs (under 50 copies)
• Storage space (like a dry basement or garage) for some co-op supplies
• Potential incentive gifts (tickets to a local show, gift card to a local business, etc.)

If you are interested in donating any of these items or have another idea for an item to donate, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Melanie Drake at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop or 319-830-3398.

Thank you for your continued support of your Cedar Falls Food Co-op!

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→

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→

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!

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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