Rooted Carrot is committed to values including Local Commitment and Sustainability. The Cedar Valley region has hard-working local producers and farmers who help grow our economy, feed us, and do it sustainably. Many of those producers are also Rooted Carrot member-owners! Farmers’ Market season (outside) may be over, but you can still find local products during the winter months.

Watch for indoor Farmers Markets starting soon and consider sourcing locally for your holiday meals and weekly meal planning!

Here are a few ways you can support these local producers all season long:

• Check out Hansen’s Dairy in Cedar Falls for locally made: Cider, Flowers, Bread, Veggies, Meat options, Coffee, and More.
• Check out the Paha Cider website for all the locations where you can find Paha Cider in NE Iowa.
• You may be able to find Kaiser’s produce at the Waverly Indoor Market. Watch for information with the date for later in November. 
• Visit Joia Food & Fiber Farm’s online farm store. They have pork, lamb, chicken, beef, honey, and eggs. Products are delivered to Cedar Falls for pick up every other week! For more information, check out their website: https://www.joiafoodfarm.com/ 
• Purchase Iowa Miso at Hansen’s Dairy stores. Find out more about Miso at Tomie’s website: http://www.iowamiso.com/#/
• Purchase Fitkin Popcorn at Hansen Dairy stores and other locations in the Cedar Valley! 
• We Arose: https://wearose.co/about/ Learn about how they support local farmers as well as their own gardens.
• Check out the Cedar Valley Regional Food and Farm Network local food listing at: https://cvfoodfarmnetwork.org/local-food-listings/
• Black Hawk Farmers Market Association – Indoor Market starting November 5th. Check out their FB page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14N7FL2e5BS/

Thank you for supporting our local producers and farmers! 

What an opportunity! Member-Owners have paid it forward by donating to our Co-op Scholarship Fund which covers $100.00 of the $200.00 Member Share cost! If you wish to become a member-owner and could benefit from this scholarship to make it a reality, click the link below. Applications will be accepted from November 1 to November 28, 2025. 

Please apply here:  https://rootedcarrot.coop/scholarship-member-share-application/

If you have questions, please contact us at info@rootedcarrot.coop attn: Scholarship Committee.   

By the Community…… For the Community

The 2025 Member/Owners’ Annual Meeting was held on October 15th. Thank you to all who attended and to those who took the time to vote for new directors for the board. The Rooted Carrot Co-op Member-Owners elected Dave Schachterle and Kathryn Gilbery. We are excited to have Dave return to the board for a second term, and we are thrilled to welcome Kathryn to the board. She has been active on the Communications/Membership team and brings a valuable skill set to the board. 

At the October board meeting, the board accepted the resignation of director Nick Phillis. He served for 2 years and was an important leader, and we wish him well. Rich Ross was appointed to the board to complete this term. He brings experience working with non-profits, and a passion for alleviating food insecurity and increasing health equity. The board is eager to work with him! 

This November, the board will be in transition, welcoming new board members and missing others. Allie Hartz has been a valuable board member, also serving as treasurer during her term. She will remain on the Finance Committee. Thanks, Allie!

Jodie Huegerich was elected to the board in 2019 and has been board president for 5 years. Her leadership has been invaluable as the co-op board navigated all that happened during that time. She will continue to volunteer as the chair of the Grants Committee. Thank you, Jodie! 

This month also saw the end of the CSA season. Those who purchased shares from We Arose appreciated the variety and quality every week. Thanks to We Arose for working with the RCCM on this, for Three House Campus Ministries for being the pick-up location, and to the many volunteers who hosted! It was a resounding success. 

At the November Board of Directors meeting, new officers will be elected, and the work of establishing a locally member owned grocery in Cedar Falls will continue. The volunteers who have committed to the Co-op over the years are many, and all are appreciated. If you would like to join this impactful team, know that you will be supported with resources and professional development. The Communication/Membership, Community Relations, Finance, and Site Committees are all seeking passionate volunteers. Whether or not we have a physical store, people are needed to make it happen! Your time, energy, and ideas are welcome. Click here to volunteer today! 

Lisa Nelson,

RCCM Board Vice President

Give the gift of a Rooted Carrot Membership! 

If you have someone on your list who is interested in healthy food, building community, and/or supporting local farmers & producers, the perfect gift is only a few clicks away! Surprise them with the gift of a Rooted Carrot Co-op Membership. 

It will positively impact the community AND allow them to access discounts at RCCM Community Partners throughout the Cedar Valley. 

Click here to get started today! 

Our Annual Meeting is right around the corner! Member-Owners, we hope to see many of you NEXT Wednesday, October 15 from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Community Main Street Office (310 E. 4th St.; Cedar Falls) for an update on everything happening with your co-op. You won’t want to miss this!

Member-Owners, please check your email for the link to VOTE for the Board of Directors. Votes are due TOMORROW, 10/8 and is super quick and easy!

Dave Schachterle is a current Board Member and is running again.

Kathryn Gilbery has been a dedicated volunteer and is running for the board for the first time. 

Our 2025 Food Festival was a great success – thanks to ALL of our amazing vendors, volunteers and all of YOU that were able to make it out. We had over 200 attendees this year! 

A huge thank you to the Membership & Communications Committee who spearheaded the event, board members and volunteers who helped make it happen.

And of course THANK YOU to all of our Vendors, Food Trucks, Worm Bin information, Kerna Information and the Music, we are so grateful to have each and every one of you in our community!

Old Town BBQ |  Sip & Squeeze Beverage Co. | thinkwell. | Kaiser Farm | Fresh Paha Cider | North Cedar Neighborhood Association | The Real Artistic Farmer | Good Neighbor Iowa | Varda Farms & Apiary | Cedar Valley Makers | Petit Green Giants | UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education | Timeless Prairie Orchard

🌱 Reflecting on Six Years with Rooted Carrot Co-op 🌱

It’s been an incredible six years serving on the Rooted Carrot Board. I’m deeply proud of the dedication and resilience shown by our past and present Board members. When I joined in November 2019, none of us could have predicted the challenges ahead. Covid hit hard—and there were moments we weren’t sure Rooted Carrot would survive. But we did. And while we still face hurdles, we’ve proven that our Co-op is more than a store—it’s a community.

💚 Now’s the Time to Get Involved! If you’ve ever considered volunteering, this is your moment. We’re looking to nominate a new member-owner for a 3-year Board term, and our Committees—Communication/Membership, Community Relations, Finance, and Site—are all seeking passionate volunteers.

We offer resources and professional development to support you. Whether or not we have a physical site, we need people. Your time, energy, and ideas are just as vital.

📅 Join Us at the Annual Meeting – October 15th Come hear site updates, connect with fellow member-owners, and chat with Board and Committee members about how you can get involved. We’d love to see you there!

Jodie Huegerich,

President, Board of Directors

Unfortunately, due to a last minute scheduling conflict, the Worm Bin event has been canceled. Volunteers spent much time and energy organizing it, and several people expressed interest in attending. The committee hopes to have the event in Spring 2026.

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 once again!

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 at 218 Center Street in Cedar Falls 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! Check out our Facebook Event page to stay up to date:  https://bit.ly/RCCMFallFoodFest2025

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!