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! 

Your co-op needs you! Applications for the Board are due September 15th! 

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.

Check out the current Board members! Three board terms are ending this year, and two of those (Alli and Jodie) will not be running for re-election. Check out the Message from the Board section of this Garlic Press to hear more from Jodie, president for the last 5 years! 

Thank you for considering a Board position to help open a full service grocery store in Cedar Falls! YOUR CO-OP NEEDS YOU! 

If you have questions please email info@rootedcarrot.coop or contact a board member personally. We are happy to meet with you and answer any questions you may have. 

Board of Directors

Jodie Huegerich, Lisa Nelson, Nick Phillis, Allie Hartz, Dave Schachterle, Mallory DeVries, and Mindy Doyle 

Important Dates 

Board Candidate Filing Period Begins Monday, August 25, 2025 

Deadline to Submit Application September 15, 2025

Board Approves Slate of Candidates Sept. 17, 2025 

Member-Owner Voting period: Sept. 25-Oct 8, 2025

Candidates notified of election results October 10, 2025

First Board Meeting November 19, 2025

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!