Behind the Scenes: The Deli
Welcome back to our Behind the Scenes blog series. We recently took you into the colorful world of Produce. Now we’d like to introduce you to the department that enters beast mode daily: the Deli.
Did you know?
- The Deli is working to eliminate all GMOs or GMO related products from their recipes and moving toward 100% organic products. Presently, they use 82% organic products and constantly look for ways to get to 100%.
- The Deli processes more than 200 lbs. of fresh chicken daily. That means they prep and cook more than three tons per month and 36+ tons in a year.
- Roughly sixty people work in the Deli, about one-third of AFC total employees, at any one time throughout the year.
- One of the most popular dishes is meatloaf and it’s made in SIXTY pound batches. They use ground turkey and Emerald Hills grass-fed beef, alternating the two from one day to the next.
If you’ve ever stepped foot in the Deli, you’ve likely seen Justin Robeson (black backwards hat, 2nd from back right in the photo above). Maybe he took your sandwich order, maybe he delivered your smoothie, or maybe he gave you a sample of soup. He has worked at the Co-op for 8 years, the last 5 years as Assistant Manager of the Deli Kitchen. He was able to escape the Deli hustle and answer a few questions.
Describe your department in three words.
Making miracles happen.
What is the most popular Deli item?
Butternut Squash Lasagna.
If you were stranded on a desert island, and could only take 3 items from the Deli with you what would they be and why?
A knife, a lighter, and the Brandy because I will survive thrive.
Can you tell us a little known fact about your department?
The Deli dishwasher runs more loads than any machine in the Rogue Valley.
What's the busiest time of year for the Deli and why?
Thanksgiving week is the busiest because it is a food holiday. We cater the store meal on the Monday of Thanksgiving week, then prep, cook, and organize Deli Thanksgiving meal orders, and in general are just extra busy in the store… it’s a long week.
Would you rather...
Eat from the hot bar or order off the Deli menu? Order off the Deli Menu.
Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning, Iced Tea in the afternoon.
Smoothie or Kombucha? Smoothie.
Breakfast burrito or breakfast sandwich? Breakfast burrito.
Between the Hot Bar, Cold Salad Bar, Green Salad Bar, Smoothies, Specialty Sandwiches, and Build Your Own Burrito, the Deli has a lot to offer. The selection can be overwhelming, especially if you are a first timer. Even if you’re not, you might be stuck in a rut like me. I could eat Noble Braised Pulled Pork and Butternut Squash Lasagna every day. To help navigate the plethora of choices, here are some staff recommendations.
“It's hard to choose a favorite food item... so I am going to pick two! I LOVE our hummus. It is straight to the point, authentic and is a staple in my fridge. I also love the Sesame Kale Salad on the cold bar. It's gingery and delicious,” says Deli Chef Adriann Ribis.
Deli Chef James Whitmire favors the breakfast burrito. “My favorite Deli Food right now is the basic breakfast burrito. It really gets me powered up in the morning. You can’t beat fluffy organic eggs, melted pepper jack cheese and tater tots. If you really want to get crazy, you could add a little Cholula or salsa in there.”
That’s the Deli. A dynamic department churning out 60 lb batches of meatloaf and meeting the vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, on-the-go meal needs of the Rogue Valley. Next up, we’ll talk salmon, beef, chicken and turkey and meet the Meat Department.
More Co-op News
Meet Reagan Roach, AFC Executive Chef & Prepared Foods Manager
The Co-op's general manager, Emile Amorotico, sat down with the newest addition to the co-op's management team, Reagan Roach. Get to know Reagan in the interview below - and say hi when you see him in store!
5 Things You Didn't Know the Co-op Carries for Cold, Flu & Immune Protection
- Wishgarden Herbs - Kick Ass Immune: Your total frontline immune defense!
- Oshala Farm - Oshala Fire Cider: Locally made in the Applegate. It tastes so good you could craft a healthy dressing with this fire cider!
- Mickelberry Gardens - Elderberry: Great Immune support for kids and adults. Made in Oregon.
Choose To Reuse
by Rianna Koppel, Co-op Sustainability Coordinator
At the Ashland Food Co-op, we are committed to becoming Zero Waste by 2030. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about packaging and single-use at our store. Our owners care deeply about reducing plastic waste, and we do too!
Reusable Bags
At the co-op, we have many different bag options… So what's the best choice?
Lisa Beam: Why I'm a Board Member
Why serve on the Board of Directors at the Ashland Food Coop? This was the question that I was faced with about a year ago.
I have lived, worked and shopped in Ashland for the last 20 years. Many of those years I have actively participated on non-profit boards, civic organizations and committees. However, in the last few years I stepped away from those responsibilities to focus on family and business life.
Henry in the Garden: The Pollinator Plan
By Henry Herting, Co-op garden volunteer
It's that fun time of the year when we get to plan our gardens. This year since our pollinators are taking such a hard hit, we are planning a pollinator garden.
Some plants that are considered good for pollinators are not so good fo the gardeners. They are invasive; they are weeds. Nobody likes weeds in their garden - who likes getting down on their knee pads and clawing at deep-rooted weeds growing in places where you don't want them?
Rogue To Go at the Co-op
We are excited to announce the official launch of Rogue To Go at the Ashland Food Co-op!
Rogue To Go is a reusable container pilot program. The pilot connects five participating restaurants by offering a reusable container that can be used for meals to-go and help eliminate single-use boxes. These O2GO containers are made locally in Bend, Oregon by OZZI. The bright green containers are 100% recyclable through a specialty recycler - truly zero waste!
How can you start using Rogue To Go? Check out the steps below and follow along with a walk-through video.
Apply for an AFC Gives community grant
For over 25 years, the Ashland Food Co-op has been re-investing in the local community by awarding grants to non-profit organizations doing important work in the Rogue Valley. Putting the seventh cooperative principle, "concern for community," into action, over $30,000 was donated in 2019 - and in 2020, there are even more opportunities for non-profits.
The Co-op is getting a refresh
We are giving our store a much-needed fresh coat of paint. We think you'll enjoy the changes!
When
The painting team will begin our project on February 5th, 2020 with a start time of 9pm.
Where
The entire retail store, deli serving area and interior seating area will receive a fresh new coat of paint.
Timeline
If all goes as planned, our painting project should be finished by February 20.
Will Store Hours Change?
No. We will be painting from 9pm to 5am.
Explore citrus!
Looking to explore some new citrus varieties? Know more before you go! Check out the many types of sweet, sour and somewhere in between that you can enjoy at the Co-op! (Availability may vary due to seasonality.)
Taste for Life winter wellness giveaway
It's a month of giveaways from Taste for Life!
Giveaway #1 has finished up - so it's time for #2! This giveaway runs 1/27-2/2, so sign up below.
This package includes: NOW's Sabucus Zinc-C lozenges, Mushroom Wisdom's SX-Fraction, Bluebonnet's Stress Release formula, ChildLife's First Defense immune formula, Vitafusion's Organic Women's Multi vitamin, Quantum Health's Eye Health supplement, Kyo-Green Sprouts Blend digestion supplement, Solgar's full spectrum Curcumin supplement, and Solgar's No. 7 joint comfort supplement.
Rogue Co-ops College Scholarship
As part of the Rogue Co-ops, a group of Rogue Valley cooperative businesses that includes Ashland Food Co-op, Grange Co-op, Medford Food Co-op, and Rogue Credit Union, we're excited to offer a scholarship opportunity to local high school students planning on attending college.
The Rogue Co-ops have collectively funded a $2,000 scholarship (and Grange Co-op offers an additional eight $1,500 scholarships) for students (in public, private or home school settings) who meet the following requirements:
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.
Sustainability Update: Building on a Strong Foundation
Sustainability Update
Our team has been working on many different projects throughout the year, taking great steps to fulfill our four sustainability goals. Our four goals to achieve by 2030 are: carbon neutrality, zero waste, eliminating toxic chemicals, and being a leader in our sustainable community. We look forward to our sustainable success in the upcoming decade!
2020: A vision for the future through Co-ops and local food
As the 2010s come to a close, the “20/20” eyesight analogy couldn’t be more appropriate for the new decade. With our eye on the future, there’s clearly a sense of urgency and awareness of the unique times we’re living in: a changing climate, increases in costs of living, and the shared pressures of a globalized world.