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August Change for Good Partner: Rogue River Watershed Council
At Ashland Food Co-op, we are dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community. Each month, our Change for Good program partners with a local organization to support their mission and amplify their impact. For August, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Rogue River Watershed Council (RRWC).
Who is the Rogue River Watershed Council?
The Rogue River Watershed Council is committed to enhancing the resilience of the Rogue River watersheds through ecological restoration and community engagement. Their mission is to protect and restore the natural ecosystems of the Rogue River, ensuring that both the environment and local communities can thrive amidst the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Current and Upcoming Projects
RRWC is actively involved in several exciting projects aimed at improving water quality, restoring habitats, and ensuring sustainable resource management. Here are a few key initiatives:
Bear Creek River Mile 19 Active construction is underway along the Greenway between Lynn Newbry Park and Wranglers Arena in Talent. This project, which continues until mid-September, focuses on protecting infrastructure, safeguarding drinking water, and restoring fish and wildlife habitats. To learn more about this project, including radio interviews, videos, and greenway accessibility notices, visit the RRWC website.
Little Butte Creek River Mile 16.7 RRWC is collaborating with a private landowner to enhance water quality, improve fish passage, and restore fish and wildlife habitats. Key actions include the placement of large wood structures, recovery of the native riparian forest, and upgrades to irrigation infrastructure. A significant instream action this summer involves installing an irrigation system that eliminates the need for push-up dams, which have historically impeded fish passage and disrupted Chinook Salmon spawning.
Rogue Drinking Water Partnership In addition to their restoration projects, RRWC is a key partner in the Rogue Drinking Water Partnership, an initiative that brings together local drinking water providers and organizations to protect drinking and source water. This past May, during National Drinking Water Week, RRWC partnered with local coffee shops to distribute coffee sleeves highlighting the partnership’s work, raising awareness about the importance of protecting our water resources.
How You Can Support RRWC
As part of our Change for Good program, every time you shop at Ashland Food Co-op this August, you have the opportunity to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar, with the extra amount going directly to support RRWC’s vital work. Your contributions will help fund their ongoing and future projects, ensuring the health and sustainability of the Rogue River watersheds for generations to come.
To learn more about the Rogue River Watershed Council, their projects, and how you can get involved, visit their website.
Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and community. Thank you for supporting Ashland Food Co-op and our Change for Good partner, Rogue River Watershed Council!
More Co-op News
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2019 Owner Coupon / Benefits Calendar
Hey Co-op owners - if you're wondering if it's a $5 off or 10% discount month... you can reference this calendar.
These benefits are available to all Co-op owners. If you're not an owner yet, you can sign up online!
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Farm Tour on the Shelves
The Farm Tour shines a spotlight on Southern Oregon - it represents the full range of products grown in the Rogue Valley. The Farm Tour isn't until July 14, but here's a list of tour activities for participating farms that are also on the shelves at the Ashland Food Co-op. Get an early taste of quality local goods!
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Planning for Summer... and Smoke
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager
If we are lucky, we’ll only have another seven week smoke intrusion this summer. If we are not, we could be the next Paradise. In less than 13 hours, last November’s Camp Fire wiped out nearly 19,000 structures and more than 80 lives. With community help, we were able to raise over $14,000 to support Chico Natural Foods Co-op’s efforts to feed some of the nearly 20,000 displaced Paradise residents.
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The Co-op's "Secret Garden"
Did you know the Co-op employees have a small garden on our campus? Planning and management falls on our fantastic Co-op volunteer: Henry Herting.
Below, Henry shares some background on the garden, what it’s used for, and some additional tales from over the years.
Originally, the need for a kitchen garden arose from having a kitchen classroom in which culinary classes were being held. Visiting chefs have always been invited to use the garden for any ingredients they may have forgotten or items they could use as garnish for their dishes.
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Sustainable Ashland Food Co-op: You are the key!
By Steve Bowman, AFC Board Director
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Tips for a Sustainable Kitchen
By Mahlea Rasmussen, Education Coordinator
Outside of work I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I find it a soothing space to create nourishing meals and lasting memories. I find it essential to be as eco-friendly as possible and a few changes can transform your kitchen into a sustainable center of your home.
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Earth Day Bulk Sale! April 17-21
Save money while working towards a more sustainable shopping experience! The Co-op bulk department is a great "first stop" for your grocery lists - everything from hummus mix to local honey to pet food is available. Plus there's less waste, all the way from shipping to ended up in your shopping cart.
Check out a quick tour below:
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Film festival giveaway
Enter your name and email below to be entered to win two film vouchers for the 2019 Ashland Independent Film Festival.
No purchase necessary. Giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by AIFF. US residents only. Entry will be closed at 5pm PT on Monday, April 15.
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The state of plastics
Many Co-op owners and shoppers have shared their interest in reducing plastic usage in the store. From bioplastics, to compostable plastics to recycling options, the Ashland Food Co-op continues to research what works best as we move towards our goal of being a zero waste store. Here is where we stand.
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Ashland Food Co-op Celebrates 20-year Partnership with ACCESS
We are proud of a partnership with ACCESS that has benefited the community immensely over the past twenty years. Read on for more about the partnership, or watch the short video below.
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Food waste at the Co-op
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
How many times in the past month have you reached back in the fridge to snack on some fresh strawberries only to discover… mold?! In the United States, 40% of food is wasted every year. Luckily, how we address food waste can have a major impact. According to Paul Hawkin’s Drawdown, reducing food waste is #3 on the list of best ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. At the Co-op, we use the EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy as a guide to bettering our own practices.
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Meet Cooking Class Instructor, Gianaclis Caldwell
Get to know Gianaclis Caldwell ahead of her class, "Easy Mozzarella and Burratta - From Scratch!" on March 7. Gianaclis is the author of the award-winning book Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking and owner of Pholia Farm.
Tell us how your love of cooking (or cheese) and food began.
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Wellness Secret Weapons
There are still plenty of colds and viruses making their rounds, and we want to help you better defend against them!
In January, we asked on social media what kind of secret weapons you use in the winter to stay healthy. We had a lot of responses, so we'll start with the All-Stars.
With your initial recommendations, our Wellness team reviewed the suggestions and picked the products with the highest quality standards and best feedback. Check those out below.
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Mushrooms for wellness
You may have heard about the fascinating discovery that trees can communicate with each other. What’s the secret? The mycelia - tiny strands of fungus - in the soil form a vast underground network through which trees send chemical signals to their neighbors.
The mycelia differs from the fruiting body of the mushroom, which is the reproductive component that contains spores and is thought to be higher in Beta Glucans.
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Meet class instructor, Joette Calabrese
This class instructor profile is connected to the February 27 free lecture, "You, Too, Can Beat the Flu!"
On an early Kolkata (Calcutta) morning, thick crowds gather outside the gates of the hospital while officials yell out "Brain tumor, kidney failure, cancer patients form a line here!” Hopeful patients, family members and caregivers arrange themselves by disease symptom.