Long-time Rooted Carrot Co-op Board member Tom Wickersham and Chris Rouw of Far Reach joined forces in a Food Co-op Initiative LIVE! Online educational series presentation.

Their session, titled “Going Mobile: Launching a Co-op App,” was an opportunity to share with other start-up co-ops across the country about the development of the Rooted Carrot Co-op App and the benefits it provides to co-op member-owners. FCI indicates RCCM is the first co-op to have an app for member-owners, and we are SO pleased that Tom & Chris were able to spread the word!

That’s co-ops helping co-ops, Principle 6 of the 7 Cooperative Principles, in action!

Thanks, Tom and Chris! 

Our Community Partner program offers special discounts &/or promotions from area businesses to Rooted Carrot Co-op member-owners. We LOVE our Community Partners! When you visit them, please take a moment to thank them for supporting the co-op! Our social media posts this month will feature Rooty visiting many of our Community Partners. Follow us and see how many you can identify! 

To access this member/owner benefit, simply show your Rooted Carrot Cooperative Market membership card to receive discounts or specials. Or, even more convenient, use the Rooted Carrot Co-op app (available for both Android and iOS devices) to locate a Community Partner business to visit, and use the app as your membership card! Continue reading→

Sustainability is one of the core values of the Rooted Carrot Co-op. 

Planning is in the early stages for an educational event in April, centered around recycling. As part of this event, the membership team has purchased a Zero Waste™  Box for recycling plastic packaging from Terracycle. We will have this available for those who attend the event to recycle “flexible plastic packaging & rigid plastic packaging.” – (from Terracycle website; details here.) The box will not accept biodegradable plastics or “foamed plastics.” 

The membership team encourages you to collect any flexible or rigid plastics that can not be recycled through your community recycling program and bring them to this event. Please make sure they are clean of any food residue. 

If there is a positive response, we will consider expanding these opportunities in the future. 

Watch for details! 

(image source: terracycle)

We are excited about our new committees – Community Relations and Grants! Both groups were able to meet in January and get started on goals and projects. The Board and several committee members also had the opportunity to attend live and recorded sessions from Katie Novak Cooperative Coaching and FCI (Food Co-op Initiative) on key topics related to our Co-op. FCI also provides Board members the opportunity to attend a monthly peer group with other Co-ops in similar stages as ours. 

Jodie Huegerich

Board President

Co-op member-owners gathered for a Soup Challenge in November. There were some VERY tasty and interesting soups created by those who attended. Congratulations to Marci Kemp, whose soup was selected as the winner for the evening.
If you’d like to make the award-winning soup, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can corn kernels, undrained
1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chiles, undrained
1 (1 oz) packaged ranch dressing mix
1 tsp cumin
1 Tbs chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:
Place chicken at bottom of crockpot. Add the cans of corn, Rotel, and black beans. Top with seasonings and ranch mix. Stir together and place cream cheese on top.

Cover; cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir cream cheese into chili. Use 2 forks to shred chicken. Stir together and serve.

(Source: plainchicken.com)

Join Rooted Carrot Co-op members and friends for an evening of games and fellowship. Bring a game or two if you don’t mind sharing, and a friend!!

Where: Urban Pie in Downtown Cedar Falls, upper bar area

When:  Tuesday, January 23rd 6:30-8:30

Consider dining at Urban Pie, one of our generous Community Partners, offering member/owners 15% off a dine-in order. Please thank them for supporting the Rooted Carrot Co-op!

In support of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, co-op member/owners and friends are invited to spend time volunteering at the Food Bank.

We plan for a group volunteer event on Saturday, February 24 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at 1605 Lafayette St., Waterloo.

To join us, please visit the NEIFB Volunteer page at https://www.neifb.org/get-involved/volunteer/group-volunteering.

You will need an account in order to participate. 

Start by scrolling through the schedule on the page. When you reach “Feb. 24,” click the 9-11 time slot. You will be prompted to sign-in, or create an account.  Follow the steps until you see the “Registration complete” page. 

Registration must be completed by Feb. 17th. 

If the time slot is full or this time does not work for you, PLEASE select a different time! Bring a friend!! When we cooperate, co-op members and friends can have a big impact on our community! 

If you have questions or difficulty registering, please email info@rootedcarrot.coop.

Are you longing for something new to warm up this winter?

Check out the Rooted Carrot Co-op swag store! We partner with Iowa Sports Supply to offer shirts, caps, winter beanies, travel tumblers, vests…so many great items to support your co-op! 

Visit: https://rootedcarrot-2023.itemorder.com/shop/sale/ and show off your co-op pride! 

Happy New Year!

Please review our 2023 annual report. https://rootedcarrot.coop/annual-member-meeting/

Please reach out to info@rootedcarrot.coop if you have any questions.

Jodie Huegerich, 

President, Board of Directors

Give the gift of co-op membership!! A Rooted Carrot Co-op gift membership includes ALL of the benefits of membership! Every time the recipient uses a Community Partner Discount, receives a Garlic Press Newsletter, or joins a Member Mixer, they will THANK YOU for opening the door to this engaging community. Consider a new neighbor, adult child, parent, employee, favorite barista…the possibilities are endless! What a great way to continue to support your co-op! Visit https://rootedcarrot.coop/join-today/ to learn more. 

AND, if you are giving a gift to someone who lives outside the Cedar Valley, search online to see if they may have a co-op in their area that has gift membership options. Share your co-op enthusiasm and support with others! #P6Cooperationamongcoops