Cedar Falls High School CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) students Colby, Ella, and Natasia gave a 5 minute pitch about their project, the Rooted Carrot, at CAPS Demo Day! We are excited to be working with them to launch a new student membership for college students.

After selecting the Rooted Carrot for their client project, the students started researching the Rooted Carrot and the reasons current member-owners joined using both an in-person and electronic survey. While researching other co-ops, they found several that offered student memberships. They worked with the board to explore this option for the Rooted Carrot, and we are currently finalizing the details. Their next step will be reaching out to the colleges, educating and generating excitement among the students.

Learn more about the Cedar Falls High School CAPS program here!  https://www.cedarvalleycaps.org/cfcaps

Join your co-op friends for a Potluck! 

When? Wednesday, May 24 at 6 p.m.

Where? Washington Park in Cedar Falls

Bring a friend, a dish to share, your own plates, tableware, and cup. Drinking water will be available. If poor weather is imminent, watch social media for any changes. 

The Rooted Carrot Co-op is very similar to running a small business. There is a lot of behind the scenes work happening. Check out what our committees have been up to below. Do you want to get involved? Fill out the volunteer form or email info@rootedcarrot.coop. 

Capital Campaign

The Capital Campaign team is currently organizing behind the scenes. They are ready to actively launch Phase 2 of the campaign when a site is secured. 

Communications/Membership

The Communication & Membership Committee has been working to increase membership with a new member drive through early April. We have also been seeking opportunities to share the story of the co-op at community events, hosting member potlucks, staying active on social media, and planning spring & summer member mixers. Committee members include Melanie Drake, Melinda Doyle, Sean Williams, Suzanne Riehl, Lisa Nelson, Marci Kemp, Laura Campbell, and Christy Pospisil.Continue reading→

Join Crawdaddy Outdoors and your co-op friends for a kayak float on Saturday, April 29th. We will finalize the details soon. Watch our social media, check our website, or email membership@rootedcarrot.coop by April 22 for more details and a link to register for this event.

New members who joined in February received tickets to the Maple Syrup Festival at Hartman Reserve. What a great way to support the nature center, a valuable asset to our community, AND invest in something new that will add value to the Cedar Valley in the future!

In March, new members will receive a curated selection of local products, purchased from our Community Partners. The first assortment includes chocolates from Stam, 12oz of special coffee from Cottonwood Canyon, and a $5 gift certificate to Hansen’s Dairy Store, all “served” on  a platter you can use for the next Member Mixer Potluck!

Here is the link to join!

Thanks to those who are engaging with our social media posts. Keep up the good work!!

Because of generous donations given to the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market’s Scholarship Fund by some amazing co-op supporters, we are excited to announce that the Rooted Carrot will be able to award $100 Member-Owner Share Scholarships.  These scholarships will cover the first $100 toward the membership cost for our friends who would like to become member-owners but cannot cover the full $200 member share cost.  

We are in the final days of this scholarship drive. The final date to apply is March 15, 2023.

Please follow this link for additional information and an application form.

Many member-owners gathered for a Mixer Potluck on Feb. 27.  Amazing food, great conversations, and a fun time was had by all.

Cedar Falls High School CAPS students attended and shared their project with us.  They will be working to gather information about co-op membership from current and future members. The findings from their research will help us to continue to build a strong base of founding members as we move forward. We are excited to learn from this talented, enthusiastic group!

Thanks to Second State Brewing for hosting this event, and for being a Community Partner!

Members of the Communication Committee spent a Saturday afternoon learning more about how to effectively share information and increase engagement using social media.  Our thanks to the Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network for arranging this event. 

Here is the latest update on what our Board, Committees, and Volunteers have been up to! Thank you everyone for all of the time you spend on bringing a Co-op to Cedar Falls! 

Jodie Huegerich,
Board President 

Site Information:

The site team was actively looking at one site for the last four to five months and we were hoping to be able to announce a location early in 2023. However, for various reasons we will not be able to move forward with this site. We are still actively looking for a location near downtown Cedar Falls. We have been seeking lease occupancy within established buildings that can either be rehabilitated or torn down to start fresh. Continue reading→

Some of the best lamb we have been fortunate enough to work with comes from Yellow Table Farm. Eric and his family take great care of their animals. 

Slow roasting the lamb shoulder enhances the flavor which is super present in the fat. I typically take this cut to an internal temperature of 203 degrees then allow it to rest for at least 2 hours before shredding.

A simple rub of sea salt with clove, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and star anise will bring an interesting element of warm sweet spice to accent the light gaminess of the lamb.Continue reading→