Become an Owner-Volunteer with the AFC Board

The AFC Board of Directors is looking for owner-volunteers for three board committees: the Owner Engagement Committee (OEC), Board Development Committee (BDC), and AFC Gives Committee. 

In addition to working with a group of great people, you will be assisting in a process that greatly benefits the community in which we live. Owner volunteers serve a one-year term and receive the benefit of a special coupon for a 10% discount on all AFC purchases for every four hours they volunteer for the Co-op.  Owner Volunteers are eligible to receive the 10% one-time Board Volunteer Reward discount up to four times a year.
 
Owner volunteer applications are due online by Thursday, February 6.  Please be sure to indicate the committee(s) you are interested in.   If you have any questions, please contact the Board Administrator, [email protected]
 

Click the link below to read more about each committee, or begin the application below:
Board Development Committee - The BDC assists with yearly Board elections, education and development training programs for Board directors. 
Owner Engagement Committee - The OEC advises the AFC Board of Directors on matters of Board engagement with owners including the annual meeting, owner forums, and other Board owner events.
AFC Gives Committee - The AFC Gives Committee coordinates the management and distribution of grant funds to local non-profit organizations through a variety of AFC Board approved programs. 

Click here to fill out the application in a new window.

Board Development Committee

Owner Volunteer Position

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the AFC Board Development Committee (BDC). Here is some information to help you complete your application. 
The BDC generally meets on the second Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Board Conference room of the Pioneer Street building. The meetings typically run 60 minutes. Monthly meetings are on an as-needed basis for the months of July and December. 
The committee advises the AFC Board of Directors (BOD) on matters of Board Development including, BOD elections, trainings, retreats and Board structure and compensation. Activities may include Board candidate interviews, attending Board candidate information night and helping plan the logistics of the Board retreat. 
The BDC consists of at least two Directors, the General Manager, the Board Administrator and at least one Owner Volunteer. One Director is appointed Chair of the BDC and the Board Administrator is responsible for meeting minutes. 
Necessary Skills: Must be familiar with Google docs and Excel. Board experience and/or cooperative business experience is beneficial. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable with a consensus decision process. 
Benefits: In addition to working with a highly experienced group of great people, you will be working to ensure that the governance of the AFC is a highly competent, thoughtful, and well supported group of volunteers that have the long-term interests of the AFC in the forefront of their efforts. Owner volunteers receive a 10% discount coupon, for one shopping trip at AFC, after they have served a minimum of 4 hours. This discount may not be combined with any other offers and will expire after ninety days. Owner volunteers are eligible to receive the 10% one-time Board Volunteer Reward discount up to four times a year. 
Application Process: You must be an AFC owner to apply. Think about what skills you would bring to this committee. If you have specific questions about the BDC, please address your questions to [email protected]. Then fill out the application online by Thursday, February 6. Interviews will be held at a later date. Apply here.

 

Owner Engagement Committee

Owner Volunteer Position

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the AFC Owner Engagement Committee (OEC). Here is some information to help you complete your application. 
The OEC generally meets on the second Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. in the Board Conference room of the Pioneer Street building. The meetings typically run 60 minutes. Monthly meetings are on an as-needed basis for the months of July and December. 
The OEC advises the AFC Board of Directors on matters of Board engagement with owners including the annual meeting, owner forums, and other Board owner events.. 
The OEC consists of at least two Directors, a representative from the Market Department, the Board Administrator and at least one Owner Volunteer. One Director is appointed Chair of the OEC and the Board Administrator is responsible for meeting minutes. 
Necessary Skills: Must be familiar with Google docs. Board experience and/or cooperative business experience is beneficial but not required. Interest in cultivating community engagement is important. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable with a consensus decision process. 
Benefits: In addition to working with a highly experienced group of great people, you will be working to ensure that the governance of the AFC is a highly competent, thoughtful, and well supported group of volunteers that have the long-term interests of the AFC in the forefront of their efforts. Owner volunteers receive a 10% discount coupon, for one shopping trip at AFC, after they have served a minimum of 4 hours. This discount may not be combined with any other offers and will expire after ninety days. Owner volunteers are eligible to receive the 10% one-time Board Volunteer Reward discount up to four times a year. 
Application Process: You must be an AFC owner to apply. Think about what skills you would bring to this committee. If you have specific questions about the OEC, please address your questions to [email protected]. Then fill out the application online by Thursday, February 6. Interviews will be held at a later date. Apply here.

AFC Gives Committee

Owner Volunteer Position

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Ashland Food Co-op Gives Committee. Here is some information to help you complete your application.

The AFC Gives Committee generally meets on the second Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Conference room of the Pioneer Street Building. The meetings typically run 60 minutes. Monthly meetings are on an as-needed basis for the months of July and December. 

The AFC Gives Committee coordinates the management and distribution of grant funds to local non-profit organizations through a variety of AFC Board approved programs. Specifically, there will be significant time requested the end of April and beginning of May to review Grant applications.

Necessary Skills:
Familiarity with Google Docs and Excel, Cooperative Committee experience and consensus decision process all are beneficial.

Benefits:
In addition to working with a group of great people, you will be assisting in a process that greatly benefits the community in which we live. Owner/Volunteers will receive a coupon good for a 10% discount on a one time shopping trip to the Co-op, after serving a minimum of 4 hours. The discount may not be combined with any other offers and will expire after ninety days. Owner Volunteers are eligible to receive the 10% one-time Board Volunteer Reward discount up to four times a year.

Application Process:
You must be an AFC Owner to apply. If you have specific questions please address them to [email protected]. Then fill out the online application by Thursday, February 6. Apply here.

More Co-op News

Looking to Save Money at the Co-op?

By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator

We hear from time to time that people feel the Co-op is higher priced than other stores. In the past, we may have earned this perception. But not anymore. We took a long, hard look at ourselves and we talked with other Co-ops across the country. Together, we are pooling our resources to bring you organic, household staples at everyday competitive, low prices. Welcome to Co+op Basics.

45 Years Strong

On Valentine’s Day, the Ashland Food Co-op turns 45 years old.

It’s hard to imagine we’ve been providing healthy, organic food to the Rogue Valley for almost half a century. From our humble beginnings as the Ashland Community Food Store to now a thriving Co-op with over 10,000 owners, it has been an honor to serve this community.

Let’s take a brief stroll down memory lane and see how far we’ve come in 45 years.

 

Saving Paper One Coupon at a Time

To further our sustainability efforts and to serve you better, we began offering Electronic Owner Coupons this month at the register.

No more forgetting to bring your owner coupons. No more waiting for your newsletter to arrive. Cashiers will simply ask if you want to use your owner coupons when you check out.

A few key points to remember:

Thank YOU For a Wonderful Year!

 

2016 had many notable moments. We hosted many successful family friendly events, added 150 more solar panels to our roof, and earned 25% of our sales for local products. We proudly donated over $24,000 to area nonprofits through our Community Grants program. We welcomed 482 new owners and averaged 3,500 daily transactions.

Whew! And that is just a small sample.

Give Local

The food holiday season has finally arrived. This time of year is by far our most favorite. We’ve been dreaming of gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, turkey (or tofurky if that’s your fancy) and eggnog for months.

But beyond the holiday feasts, we love this time of year for another reason. It’s the season of giving. Amidst the shopping frenzies, family gatherings, and parties, giving back often becomes an afterthought.

Happy Thanks-chicken!

We know, we know, November is all about turkey. But let us not forget the other, other white meat this holiday season. Chicken. This poultry meat often gets the spotlight, but during the month of November it is well deserved. Why? Because all month long, every time you purchase a Smart Chicken® product at the Co-op you help feed a hungry family in the Rogue Valley.

Here’s how it works:

Co-ops Grow Communities

Co-ops around the world share a set of guiding principles including “cooperation among cooperatives,” and “concern for community.” We take these principles to heart.

When you shop at the Co-op, you aren’t just buying groceries. You are supporting a business that cares about people and contributes to a livable, sustainable Rogue Valley.

Did you know?

  • In 2015, we donated over $24,000 to area nonprofits.

Feed an (Italian) army with Co+op Basics

My Italian Grandmother’s heart swells every time she sees my well-stocked pantry. I am prepared to feed an army at a moment’s notice, and sometimes that actually happens with my big family. But what my Grandma doesn’t know is how much I save by stocking my pantry with Co+op Basics products.

We Love Local

We take pride in supporting local farmers, producers, vendors and vintners. When we say local, we mean local. At some grocery stores, the word local gets thrown around like the word “natural,” ambiguously and with a broad definition.

But local means something to us. A definition we take meticulous pride in.

Local adjective
Any food or product grown, produced or made within 200 miles.

Let’s use it in a sentence. The Ashland Food Co-op supports an average of 250 local companies.

Wanted: Wormy Apples, Fallen Plums & Over Ripe Pears

Urban fruit is copious this time of year in the Rogue Valley. It’s hard, dare we say impossible, to make enough pies, cobblers, and salads to keep up with the backyard abundance.

So what do you do with all that unpicked fruit?

Instead of letting your pears, plums and apples go to waste, or to feed the deer, bring them to the Co-op for collection.

Apple Outlaw Cider, in collaboration with the local community, is setting out to create a one of a kind hard cider, dubbed “Apple Outlaw Community Cider”.

Fire Up The Grill

Break out of your dinner rut with something fast and juicy. The Meat Department staff share their go-to favorites to throw on the grill. Flame on, baby!

Brian Swift
Flat Iron
is my favorite steak. So simple to cook. Just add salt, pepper, garlic, and cook it on a super hot grill. 5 minutes later you have an amazing steak.

Sam Roberts
Tri­Tip marinated in our Kinders barbeque sauce, seared on both sides with a little pink in the middle, is what I really enjoy the most.

Summer Picnic Guide

Everyone loves a picnic. But some are better at organizing one than others. Make planning the perfect picnic a breeze with our easy picnic guide.

A Party for YOU

Each year we hold an Annual Meeting and Owner Picnic. This is our chance to catch up over a delightful picnic and most importantly update you on the recent year’s events and financials.

This year, we are changing things up a bit. The Annual Meeting and Owner Picnic will be more family friendly than ever before. We have a new menu designed to appeal to busy little (and big!) hands so you and your kiddos have time to enjoy one of our many family friendly activities.

6 Reasons to Buy in Bulk

Bulk bins have been a staple at the Ashland Food Co-op since we opened our doors in 1972. For good reason too, buying in bulk is better. Better for your pocket book, better for the environment, and better for your belly. Here’s why.

6 Reasons to Buy in Bulk

Co-op + Community = A Perfect Match

At the Co-op, we are all about community. After all, YOU are why we are here and providing healthy, organic food to the Rogue Valley.

As a cooperative enterprise, there are seven principles we follow. We use them as guidlines to put our values into practice. Principle 7, Concern for Community, affords us the opportunity to give back to local nonprofits that do so much good in this beautiful place we call home.