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! 

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.

We have a great group of dedicated board members who enjoy working together and bring a variety of expertise to the board. Currently, we meet once a month on the third Wednesday, either online or in-person at the Community Main Street Office. 

The Board is tasked with making decisions for the Co-op and accomplishing goals that get us closer to opening a full service grocery store. The Co-op cannot exist without the Board.

Not sure if you would be a good fit, take this quiz below! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via info@rootedcarrot.coop. Current board members are happy to answer questions! 

Do you have a vision and a passion for building and advancing a cooperatively-owned local business?Continue reading→

Volunteers are the engine that keeps the Rooted Carrot Co-op moving forward, bringing us ever closer to opening a full-service cooperative grocery store in Cedar Falls. All member-owners and supporters of the RCCM want to say THANK YOU! 

To show appreciation, the board will host a picnic at Washington Park on August 27th from 5:30-7:00. Those who volunteered in the past fiscal year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) should have received an email with information. Please remember to RSVP so we can plan well. You are welcome to bring other members of your household, so please count them in your RSVP using the link in the email. 

Many people have volunteered in big ways and small, and ALL are appreciated. If you volunteered during the past fiscal year and did not receive the email invitation, if you need the email sent again so you have the link, or have any questions, please reach out to info@rootedcarrot.coop. 

We continue to be an active organization planning events and actively searching for a co-op location. You can find us at local farmers’ markets this summer. Stop by and chat with us to learn more about what is going on with your co-op. 

Our committees-Communication/Education, Grants, Community Relations, and Site–continue to meet regularly to accomplish co-op goals that get us closer to a physical location. We are seeking individuals interested in joining a committee and/or member-owners interested in serving on the Board of Directors. A seven-member board with staggered three-year terms provides a balance of continuity and fresh perspectives. Reach out to a board member to learn more or email us at info@rootedcarrot.coop. Applications open August 25th and we encourage you to join our August 20th board meeting and/or have coffee with a board member to learn more. 

Thank you for considering. 

Jodie Huegerich

President, Board of Directors 

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.

We have a great group of dedicated board members who enjoy working together and bring a variety of expertise to the board. Currently, we meet once a month on the third Wednesday, either online or in-person at the Community Main Street Office. 

Not sure if you would be a good fit, take this quiz below! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via info@rootedcarrot.coop. Current board members are happy to answer questions! 

Do you have a vision and a passion for building and advancing a cooperatively-owned local business?Continue reading→

Dear Members and Supporters,

We’re excited to share an update from the Site Selection Team as we continue our journey to bring the Rooted Carrot to life!

Over the past few months, our team has been actively touring potential sites in the downtown district, narrowing our focus to three promising locations. Each space offered unique possibilities—charming storefronts, walkable neighborhoods, and vibrant surrounding businesses that reflect the community spirit we hope to cultivate.

However, despite the initial excitement, we encountered a shared challenge across all three sites: insufficient parking.

As a member-owned grocery cooperative, accessibility for all our members is key. That means making it as easy as possible for families doing their weekly shop, older adults, and folks commuting from nearby neighborhoods to reach. Unfortunately, each downtown site we visited had either no dedicated parking or limited shared lots that wouldn’t reliably accommodate our needs.

Here’s a quick summary of what we found:Continue reading→

Farmers Markets are a great way to support your local economy. In other words, put your dollars into a local hard-working farmer’s pockets! Plus, you purchase high-quality, dense nutrition food for yourself and your family. Find a market that works in your schedule and find them on social media for updates on products, vendors, and more. 

It’s time for Farmers Markets! | Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network

Check out the UNI Local Food Program’s Guide to Successful Shopping and the What’s In Season guide. 

The Rooted Carrot Co-op is buzzing with purpose and community spirit this summer! From tabling at local farmers’ markets to planning member events and strengthening the Co-op’s foundation through policy work—there’s a lot to be excited about.

We are looking for a policy-writing volunteer. It’s a great opportunity for someone who wants to make a meaningful contribution to our co-op on their own schedule. Pairing writing skills with community impact is a win-win. If you are interested please reach out to us at info@rootedcarrot.coop. 

We are seeking member-owners interested in serving on the Board of Directors. A seven-member board with staggered three-year terms provides a balance of continuity and fresh perspectives. Reach out to a board member to learn more or email us at info@rootedcarrot.coop. 

Enjoy these summer days and continue to support our local farmers by attending farmers’ markets or purchasing their products at locally owned businesses like Hansen’s Dairy. Check out our calendar of events and save the dates for Volunteer Appreciation, Fall Festival, and the annual meeting.

The Rooted Carrot Co-op partnership with We Arose is excited to be facilitating a mid-week Cedar Falls CSA delivery location this season!

THANK YOU to the 14 people who committed to supporting our local growers through this opportunity by purchasing shares. Pick-up times continue to be 2:00-6:00 every Wednesday, with half-shares delivered every-other week.

Thanks, also, to member-owners who have volunteered to be present at the pick-up location. 

This partnership and your support of it is another example of the impact we all have when we work together to fulfill the shared vision of the Rooted Carrot Co-op. If you have any suggestions for other ways the co-op can support local growers, please email info@rootedcarrot.coop today! 

The Rooted Carrot Co-op is partnering with We Arose to provide up to 30 people the opportunity to access local produce through a produce share! 

The deadline has been extended to June 4th and shares are still available!

Order Now! 

This is a great opportunity to support a network of beginning and small-scale farmers while accessing locally grown, fresh, and healthy food. Each box is curated with 6 to 8 of your favorite in-season vegetables.

This program is open to the public and offers convenient mid-week delivery to the ThreeHouse Campus Ministry building at 2422 College Street in Cedar Falls. 

COST:

The season is June 15-October 29.  

Full Season Share: 20 weeks offered every week for $600

Half Season Share: 10 weeks offered every-other week for $300. 

NOTE: If you’d prefer a half share every week, consider purchasing a full share with a friend and sharing the goodness every week! 

DISTRIBUTION:

The shares will be delivered on Wednesdays to ThreeHouse, 2422 College St, in Cedar Falls. The boxes will be kept in an air conditioned room. Each box will be labeled for each member to pick up. Participants can pick up their boxes from 4-6 pm. 

Boxes that are not picked up by 6:00 will be considered forfeited, and donated to ThreeHouse Campus Ministries. 

Order at https://we-arose-rooted-carrot.square.site/