All new member-owners who join in February will receive TWO TICKETS to the Maple Syrup Festival at Hartman Reserve which is scheduled for March 10, 11, &12. Become a part of something new AND support a long-standing local resource. Both will positively impact our community for generations. What could be better?

From the Hartman Reserve Nature Center website: “Maple Syrup Festival is a community event that celebrates the sugar maple trees at Hartman Reserve. Attendees enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes topped with maple syrup, sausage, Sidecar coffee and Hansen’s milk & dairy. A raffle is part of this fundraiser as well as educational exhibits.”

We will reach out to all new members to ask your preferred date and time to attend, and will make your reservation accordingly.  Seating is limited, so the sooner you join the more likely your preference will be available. (While supplies last.)

Back by popular demand, we are hosting another Rooted Carrot Co-op Member Mixer Potluck. Bring a dish to share, bring friends, family members, or invite a random acquaintance. The more the merrier! 

When?  Monday, February 27 at 6 p.m.

Where? Second State Brewing in downtown Cedar Falls (corner of State and Second streets, of course!). 

Bring a dish to share, and, if able, your own reusable tableware (to keep from adding to the landfill).

If you have someone interested in learning more about the Co-op, please invite them to join you. Individuals who become new Rooted Carrot Co-op member-owners that evening will receive a Co-op t-shirt in addition to Maple Syrup Festival tickets (our current member drive promotion) if they are still available. 

And don’t forget that as a member-owner you get 10% off beer draws from this fabulous local brewery!

Have you wanted to become a member-owner of the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market, but financial constraints have kept you from purchasing a share? We have an option for you!

Due to the generous donations of several Co-op supporters, we will have $100 scholarships to award. This means that you will only need to pay $100 toward a $200 member-owner share. We accept applications from November 1  through November 20, 2023. All applications and recipients will be kept confidential. 

Here is a link to the application form:  https://rootedcarrot.coop/scholarship-member-share-application/

If you would like additional information, please email membership@rootedcarrot.coop

As part of the New Member/Owner Drive, we are seeking opportunities to tell groups throughout the Cedar Valley about the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market. If you are affiliated with a group that you think would like more information about the Co-op, please email info@rootedcarrot.coop, with “Speaker Opportunity” in the subject line.  Include a contact name, group name, meeting times/place, and any other information you think would be helpful for us to know. The Membership/Communications Committee will do our best to arrange a speaker to share their co-op story. 

Celebrate Black History Month by supporting local Black-owned businesses!

While it is important to support Black-owned businesses year-round, Black History Month is a reminder to commit to this – together we continue to build and support our community. Check out the Black Capitol of Iowa Pass from Experience Waterloo where you can view listings and get access to a free savings passport for Black-owned businesses across Iowa!

We are so excited to welcome new member-owners to the Co-op!

Melinda & Paul Farmer received a $20 gift certificate to Downtown Cedar Falls AND a yard sign!!

Thank you to all member-owners for your continued support of the Rooted Carrot Co-op.  Together, we can do amazing things!

The 2022 member-owner annual report is available on on our website: Annual Report (rootedcarrot.coop)

The Rooted Carrot Co-op Market’s Capital Campaign Investment Committee is responsible for raising roughly two-thirds of the total cost of opening a new grocery store, which is around $3 million. The good news is that we’re almost halfway to our campaign goal!

The other good news is that we are pleased to welcome additional community members to this dream team to help raise the additional funds. The plan is to have another active campaign phase right after a new site is secured (keep those fingers crossed!). Once there, we need to be “all hands on deck,” since securing member loans and community donations is a lot of work. The committee has greater capacity to do that thanks to our three new volunteers:Continue reading→

Check out all the news in this edition of the Garlic Press–membership drive continues, speakers available to talk to your group about the Co-op, and another potluck! 

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Member Mixer Potluck on February 27th. Remember anyone is welcome to invite family, friends, and co-workers! 

Our site committee continues to work hard on securing a site for the Co-op. Please stay tuned to the Garlic Press, social media, YouTube, and the website. Help us engage more community members with social media by commenting and sharing our posts. 

There is a lot of work to be done to make the Co-op a reality- hiring a General Manager, writing grants, seeking grants, planning events and engaging old and new members. If interested in volunteering for one of these specific tasks, please email info@rootedcarrot.coop or complete this volunteer form. Volunteer your Time and Talent – Rooted Carrot Co-op

Jodie Huegerich,
Board President

Great ingredients often lead to some of the simplest recipes.

We had the good fortune of being able to acquire some amazing maple syrup recently. Thanks to Connie and the great folks at Hartman Reserve, we were able to utilize a great seasonal local product. With just a few ounces of maple syrup, we were able to create an amazing, simple dish with some heritage pork tenderloin and roasted sweet potatoes. By balancing the sweetness with some stone ground mustard, we were able to extract the earthy flavors only great maple can express. Continue reading→