31 Reasons to Visit the Co-op
Happy 2016! It’s a brand new year, new month, new day. No doubt many of you’ve made a variety of resolutions to make this year the best yet. The Co-op can help you succeed. How? Let us tell you. Here are 31 reasons why you should visit the Co-op every day this month to improve your life and your community.
1. You can own it! More than ever, we are aware of where every dollar we spend goes. Become an owner and the money you spend at the Co-op is an investment back into your community. For every $1,000 spent at a local food co-op, $1,604 is generated in our local economy. Now that’s a win, win, WIN!
2. Have you heard about Co+op Basics? Quality, organic food at low prices, what could be better? Co+op Basics offers everyday low prices on many popular grocery and household items. Baby products, canned goods, meat and more.
3. Stretch your dollars even more with our Pantry Basics Cooking Class. Learn how planning and prep make cooking on a budget fun and flavorful. Free to Co-op owners, what a deal!
4. Do you want to save more money? Yes! Easy answer. Sign up for our Weekly Sales and Events email. More ways to save at the Co-op delivered to your inbox every Tuesday morning. Plus, you will stay up to date with store events, cooking classes, and seasonal recipes.
5. The Weekly Sales Flyer features big savings on products from every department. On sale this month, Garden of Life Raw Fit. Jump start your New Year’s resolution with this high-protein, weight loss supplement. Stop by the Wellness Department to learn more!
6. Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? We have your Meal Solutions. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we conduct tastings of a variety of recipes that are perfect for your dinner table any night of the week.
7. Everybody is welcome! Simple as that. You don’t have to be an owner to shop at the Co-op. Come on in and see what we are all about!
8. From non-violent communication to health related topics, every Monday night we have a FREE lecture open to the public. Check out the Co-op Calendar to view the current schedule of Free Monday Night Lectures.
9. On Tuesdays, we feature a giveaway on our Facebook page. It's your chance to win FREE products from the Co-op. Vitamins, produce, Co+op Basics items, recipe ingredients, and more! Like and follow us on Facebook for your next chance to win.
10. New this past fall, Big Deals! Look for the Big Deal! signs throughout the Co-op for big savings. You’ll see the bright orange signs on everything from meat to mandarins.
11. Every month we offer a variety of cooking classes. Italian food, healing tonics, and chocolate tempering, learn to cook it all at the Co-op! New this year, our Kidtastic Cooking class. We’ve partnered with Rogue Valley Farm to School to offer this family friendly class that will include kitchen tasks, safe knife skills and healthy cooking.
12. What’s the best on-the-go lunch spot in Ashland? The AFC Deli of course! From the Hot Bar to the Burrito Menu, we’ve got healthy food options for vegans, vegetarians, carnivores and more. Fun fact: our deli pays the most meals tax in Ashland, come and see why!
13. We love community. Every year the Co-op awards grants up to $1,500 to nonprofit organizations in our region. Last year, the Co-op donated over $23,000 to 32 non profit organizations through our Community Grants Program.
14. Local is the name of the game and the Co-op always takes first place. We carry local products, invest money back into the community, and buy from local farms and vendors. Did you know that on average the Co-op supports over 250 local companies?
15. The January Meal Solutions schedule is soup centric. After all, winter is soup season. Try these tasty creations this month- Black Bean Avocado Soup, Ginger Spiked Carrot Soup, Breakfast Noodles from Vietnam, and Beef, Barley and Veggie Soup.
16. Connect with us outside the store! Did you know the Ashland Food Co-op is on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest? Follow us for organic food news, recipes, events and more.
17. No matter what your resolution is, our Wellness Department has something to aid you in your New Year’s journey. Essential oils, probiotics, CBD products and more!
18. Free beer and wine tastings every Wednesday and Friday, 4pm - 6pm, at the Culinary Kiosk. Need we say more?
19. Speaking of free tastings, did you know we offer tasting and product demonstrations almost every day at the Culinary Kiosk? This is your chance to meet the maker of your favorite Co-op products. Sample seasonal produce, local artisan coffee, hand crafted cheeses, and more. See the blackboard at the kiosk for upcoming events/tastings.
20. Italian, Garlic and Basil, Smoky Cajun, Tequila Lime… all flavors of AFC’s very own homemade sausages. With eight flavors of chicken and five flavors of pork, we’ve got your go-to meat for breakfast, soups, and pasta dishes.
21. Did you know there are over 300 recipes on the AFC website? Don’t know what to make for dinner tonight? Find inspiration with us. A staff favorite is the Lentil, Kale, Chicken Sausage, and Rice Soup. This recipe is easy, affordable and most importantly delicious.
22. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service. We want you to be happy with your shopping experience at the Co-op. Not satisfied with a product? Stop by the Information Desk and inquire about our return policy.
23. Sustainability is a key pillar of our day to day business operations. Did you know?
- Last year, approximately 200,000 glass bottles were brought in to AFC, recycled, then crushed and used for road base in the Rogue Valley
- For over 20 years, a local sheep herder has collected the Produce Department’s compost for feed. This offsets our landfill waste by 35%.
24. Trying to eat more fruits and vegetables this year? The AFC Juice and Smoothie Bar makes that an easy and delicious resolution. Try the Ashland Sunrise, Green Light, or Island Bliss next time you are in the store.
25. Making a lifestyle in 2016? Starting to eat Paleo? The Co-op has paleo friendly products to get you started on your new food journey. Try Pederson’s Natural Farms No Hickory Smoked BaconJilz Gluten Free CrackerRed Boat Fish SauceCoconut Secret Coconut Aminos
26. At the Co-op, it’s easy to get kids involved with grocery shopping. Start with one of our mini kids carts, a small grocery list, and a free banana to fuel the shopping. Kid friendly grocery shopping never looked so good!
27. We truly have a world class, local wine selection. Slagle Creek "Pini" Tempranillo - Cabernet Sauvignon, owner/winemaker Bob Denmen utilizes his neighbor’s super low yielding Pini Vineyard for this terrific red. Organic and biodynamic Cowhorn Vineyard Spiral 36 was just named Forbes magazine "White Wine Value of the YEAR". Red, white, oaky, or bright, the Co-op meets all your wine needs.
28. The produce at the Co-op is off the hook, arguably the best in the Rogue Valley. The selection is carefully curated to be the most fresh and sustainably grown. Rachel Rose, Assistant Produce Manager, recommends local carrots this time of year. “Wintertime carrots are the sweetest of carrots. When the weather gets cold, carrots and other hearty vegetables, will generate more sugars to help protect themselves from freezing.”
29. Chocolate makes the perfect gift for any occasion. With nine shelves dedicated to the sweet treat, the AFC chocolate selection is one of a kind. Unique flavors, organic, fair trade, dark and milk chocolate, we have something for everyone.
30. One of the most popular dishes in the AFC Deli is meatloaf. It’s made in SIXTY pound batches. We use ground turkey and Emerald Hills grass-fed beef, alternating the two from one day to the next. Which one is your favorite?
31. The Ashland Food Co-op is Southern Oregon’s only Certified Organic Retailer. The entire staff at the store has been trained to uphold the organic standards set forth by the USDA and Oregon TILTH. This training ensures that cross contamination from conventional products does not happen throughout the receiving, storing or stocking process. When you buy organic produce at the co-op, it is the real deal.
Since there are only 31 days in January, we’ll stop here. But there are many more reasons you should visit the Co-op this month. Stop in and you’ll see why!
More Co-op News
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As we step into March, we are thrilled to introduce our Change for Good partner – KS Wild, an organization dedicated to preserving the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Oregon. At the heart of our community lies a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, making KS Wild the perfect ally in our ongoing quest for positive change.
What is KS Wild?
February Change for Good Partner: Rogue Climate
As we navigate the challenges posed by climate change, it becomes increasingly vital to support organizations dedicated to creating positive environmental impacts. This February, Ashland Food Co-op proudly introduces Rogue Climate as its Change for Good partner. Join us in supporting their mission to empower Southern Oregon communities most affected by climate change.
January Change for Good: AHS Culinary Arts Program
Hey Co-op community!
As we step into the new year, the Ashland Food Co-op is excited to continue our Change for Good program, and for January 2024, we're shining a spotlight on a program that's close to our hearts (and our stomachs) - the Ashland High School Culinary Arts Program.
No Hassle Holiday - Thanksgiving Dinner from the Co-op!
This Thanksgiving, let us take the hassle out of your holiday feast preparation!
November Change for Good: Rogue Food Unites
Say hello to our November Change for Good partner - Rogue Food Unites!
Rogue Food Unites (RFU) uses food to heal individuals and communities during times of crisis. RFU was formed in 2020 out of the dual disasters of the Almeda and Obenchain fires and the impacts of COVID-19 on local communities. Within a short time, RFU began contracting with the State of Oregon to supply hot meals, food boxes, and solidarity cards in Deschutes, Douglas, Klamath, Josephine, and Jackson Counties.
Meet Nick Hardee, AFC's new GM!
The Co-op Board of Directors and staff are thrilled to welcome Nick Hardee as the new General Manager of the Ashland Food Co-op! We asked Nick to share a little bit about himself so we'll get right to it!
October Change for Good: Center for Non-Profit Legal Services
This October, the Ashland Food Co-op is proud to partner with the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services (CNPLS) for our Change for Good program. All month long, shoppers can round up their purchases to support CNPLS and their mission to provide access to justice.
CNPLS is a non-profit legal aid firm serving low-income and vulnerable community members in Ashland and surrounding areas. Their team of dedicated lawyers and volunteers work to ensure everyone has access to legal help, regardless of their ability to pay.
It's Co-op Month!
OK, you've got us, every month is Co-op Month here at AFC! But every October since 1964, cooperatives of all kinds have celebrated the cooperative difference. Here at the Ashland Food Co-op, we're excited to recognize the history, benefits, and principles behind our own co-op.
September Change for Good: AFC Community Fund
As we enter the beautiful month of September here in Southern Oregon, we're excited to share that our Change for Good partner this month is our very own Community Fund. As many of you know, the Community Fund allows us to support amazing local projects and organizations doing great work right here in Southern Oregon.
August Change for Good - Partnering with ACCESS to Make a Difference!
We are honored to partner with ACCESS this August - a fantastic organization that has been serving our community for over four decades. ACCESS, which stands for "A Community in Action, Connecting, Empowering, and Strengthening Self-Sufficiency," is dedicated to addressing hunger, homelessness, and poverty in Southern Oregon.
Empowering Our Community: AFC's Community Grants Now Accepting Applications
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, AFC is thrilled to announce the that we are accepting applications for our Community Grants program.
Ashland Food Co-op's Community Grants program is designed to foster meaningful change in the Southern Oregon region. Through these grants, we seek to support projects that align with our mission of promoting local and sustainable food systems, addressing food insecurity, and promoting community engagement.
July's Change for Good Partner - Maslow Project
Ashland Food Co-op is thrilled to partner with Maslow Project for our Change for Good program! Maslow Project is an incredible organization that works tirelessly to support homeless youth and families in Southern Oregon. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, and they do this through a range of services including housing assistance, medical care, and educational support.
June 2023 Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
The Ashland Food Co-op is teaming up with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC) as its Change for Good partner for this month. This collaboration aims to support SOLC's mission of conserving Southern Oregon's natural landscapes and habitats.
Bicycle Benefits
Do you love to bike? Do you love to save money? Do you love the Co-op? Let us tell you about this awesome program at the Ashland Food Co-op! We all know biking is great for the environment and by joining Bicycle Benefits you'll be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint, all while enjoying some pretty sweet perks.
So, what exactly is Bicycle Benefits? It's a program that rewards cyclists for their pedal power! Here's how it works:
1. Stop by the Co-op and buy your $5 Bicycle Benefits sticker
May 2023 Change for Good Partner: Talent Maker City
Talent Maker City's mission is to build a more connected, prosperous, and resilient community through hands-on creativity and innovative STEAM-based learning. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math.) They have a bustling Makerspace facility, brimming with creative energy in downtown Talent offering hands-on STEAM-based workshops and programming for curious minds of all ages!