Local Roots & FoodSphere Campaign for a New Building
to Call Home
Local Roots and FoodSphere share a vision of supporting local farmers, producers and artisans, and bringing people together in healthy, sustainable ways, which in turn, benefits our community. Imagine a vibrant local food sphere that promotes jobs, thriving businesses, agriculture and a healthy planet. This is all possible through a collaborative capital campaign.
Prospective New Local Roots Exterior
What does this mean?
In 15 years of business as a local foods cooperative, Local Roots has grown right alongside our founders, farmers, producers, chefs, staff, members, customers and community. Today, Local Roots is bursting at the seams and a physical expansion is vital.
Thus, we are thrilled to commence our Local Roots & FoodSphere Campaign for a New Building to Call Home! Wooster Local Foods Cooperative, d.b.a. Local Roots Market & Cafe, is partnering with FoodSphere, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to make this expansion a reality.
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Based on community feedback, the expansion will include:
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a larger market space for the cafe, grocery and artisan items to increase inventory and sales
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a shared use commercial kitchen for existing and start-up food producers
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office space for both Local Roots and FoodSphere who will provide onsite business support
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an open air space for community programming
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solar power and energy efficient equipment upgrades
The capital campaign committee has been working hard behind the scenes and is pleased to share that we have already received funds from invested community leaders, local supporters and grants. We are also proud to announce we have campaign pledges from the entire staff and both boards! But, we cannot finish this important investment in our future without partners like you. We need your support in this new season of growth.
The Wayne County Community Foundation is administering the campaign fund to provide our donors with a seamless donation process and payment flexibility. You can make a tax deductible donation by CLICKING HERE or mail a check to WCCF (517 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691) with “Local Roots & FoodSphere Campaign” in the memo.
We look forward to working with you on this important community development project!
New Building & Capital Campaign Updates
December '25
Local Roots & FoodSphere Patrons and Supporters,
Thanks to the continued generosity and steadfast support of our community, our Capital Campaign to renovate the Ride On building at 146 W. South Street remains alive, and progress is still actively underway!
Throughout the last year, economic uncertainty around proposed tariffs and federal grant funding required us to take pause and to adjust our planned approach to the project. We have now transitioned from a single, large-scale build to a phased construction plan. This change in strategy allows sections of the project to be completed as funds become available, ensuring steady progress without taking on unnecessary or risky debt.
Following initial expenditures to design the new site, we have $1,095,169 remaining in donations and grants that are secured toward the project, with an additional $500,000 in pending applications and targeted philanthropic contributions.
While this secured funding is not enough to complete the entirety of the renovations that will ultimately be needed, we have reached a stage where the next phase of work can begin, and we are excited to announce that we aim to restart construction with roofing renovations this January. After the roof is completed, we will be able to move toward interior renovations, and the physical manifestation of our dream space will begin to take shape!
We remain inspired by the belief you all have shown in the Local Roots mission and deeply grateful to the donors and community members whose support makes this work possible. Throughout this past year of notable challenges and hurdles, it has been our community’s enduring commitment to locally grown food, locally made goods, and a resilient small-business economy that has enabled us to adapt and move forward. We look forward to the year ahead and are excited to share updates with all of you as progress takes place!
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If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation toward our Campaign for a New Building to Call Home through the Wayne County Community Foundation, visit the link below. We thank you so much to all those who have helped make this dream a possibility through their past and present donations, sharing of news, and patronage of our local producers' products and creations at Local Roots.
Capital Campaign - Grant Funding Update
May '25
Friends of Local Roots,​
Our Campaign for a New Building to Call Home continues!
You may have heard in the news that in January of this year, federal programs across the country had funding frozen under executive order. Among the programs affected were our campaign’s two largest grant funding sources. While the freeze was quickly lifted on paper, the impact of the order forced many of the programs to delay funding while they reevaluated their commitments.
After months of waiting, we are excited to announce we have received unofficial notification that our contracts are likely to remain intact! However, because these grants are structured as reimbursements and funding is still not officially guaranteed, we have decided to take a pause on any forward movement until notice from the grant administrators becomes more concrete.
We want everyone to know that we remain excited about the project, hopeful that this situation will soon be resolved, and eager to get back to work on renovations as soon as possible. As always, we can’t thank you enough for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing exciting updates as soon as they become available!
Fundraising Update
Nov. '24
Dear Friends of Local Roots,​
Our campaign journey continues! A huge thank you to all those who have helped get us this far! We are forging ahead with the expansion of Local Roots Market and FoodSphere, and we want to take the 1-year anniversary of the purchase of our new building to update you on our progress, as well as some of the challenges ahead.
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Since we launched our Capital Campaign in May of 2023, FoodSphere has:
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Purchased our future building location at 146 W. South Street in Wooster
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Secured $1,023,612 of funding, including:
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$518,400 in local, state, or federal grants
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$299,712 in private donations
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$205,500 in pledged donations
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Continued to write new grant applications, including four upcoming in 2025
In addition to the campaign activity, Local Roots has:
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Added 29 new producers and artisans to our market shelves
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Added 7 new chefs and kitchen renters
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Introduced two new community programs
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​ProducePERKS - offering healthy fruits & vegetables to under-served families
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Project Chop - a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Wooster to bring healthy afterschool snacks to children in the program
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Been highlighted on The Sound of Ideas on WKSU and City Centric on PBS​​
Of course, no year-long campaign and major renovation project occurs without challenges. Several grant programs have proven to be fiercely competitive, and we face the pressure of rising construction costs in the form of higher-than-expected bids for the renovation project.
We remain dedicated to moving into our new location across the street in late 2025. We are working with our architects on updated drawings and will be seeking new competitive bids from contractors. Our community fundraising goal in this next phase of the campaign, to get the market up and running in the new location, is $1 million. Whether you are a new supporter, or considering an additional donation, now is the perfect time: From November 15-30, any donation to the campaign will be matched $1 for $1 (up to $3000)! The more we raise, the more work we can accomplish now, and the more leverage we have for future grants.
You can make your tax-deductible donation by mailing a check to the Wayne County Community Foundation, 517 N. Market St., Wooster OH 44691, with “Local Roots & FoodSphere Campaign” in the memo. Or visit the link below to be taken directly to the donation site.
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A big thank you to all those who have contributed to the campaign so far and make our future expansion possible.