October 9th, 2025

Celebrating National Co-op Month

 

Celebrating Co-op Month

October is National Co-op Month! And at the Ashland Food Co-op we’ve had the pleasure of seeing firsthand how co-ops really do build a better world, starting right here in our community. The entire month of October - with the support of the US Department of Agriculture - highlights the importance of co-ops as a hub of democracy, community building, and circular economic practices. 

In fact, 2025 has been historically named The Year of the Cooperatives. Being or becoming an AFC Owner means more than just saving money when you shop. Owners are part of a community that values sustainability, supports local producers, and makes decisions together.

 

What's in It for You? 

Patronage Dividends: Each year, AFC shares a portion of its profits with its owners. The more you shop, the more you earn back. 

Owner Coupons: You get to save 10% on one whole purchase six times a year. That means six chances to load up on your favorite local products. 

Education Discounts: Eager to learn more about cooking, gardening, or sustainability? Owners get $5 off classes and pay less for kids' camps. Knowledge gives you power… and costs less when you're an owner.

Community Involvement: Get involved in your community - vote in Board elections, join a committee, and have a say in how Ashland Food Co-op is run.

 

Why it Matters 

We aren’t just a grocery store - we are a community that puts people before profits. When you become an owner, you back a system that cares about fairness, sustainability and environmental equity, and supporting local producers. Did you know that every dollar you spend at AFC creates three times the local economic effect compared to regular grocery stores?

Becoming an owner is straightforward: 

  • Complete the online form or reach out to owner services. 

  • Invest $100 once (or choose to make $10/month payments). 

  • Start enjoying all ownership perks right away.

There are over 1 billion co-op owners worldwide and over 29,000 co-ops in the US alone; this means 1 in every 3 Americans are involved in at least one cooperative. Each year we strive to reach greater heights with the help of our community partners and patrons. AFC appreciates your dedication and looks forward to a lifelong partnership with each individual who walks through our doors. 

 

More Co-op News

October 1st, 2020

October news at the Co-op

October is typically Co-op month, to highlight how differently cooperatives do business. But instead of talking about the 7 Cooperative Principles, or the ownership benefits of being part of the Co-op, we only need to look at the past four weeks to see what being a cooperative really means.

As part of the co-op family, you've helped the entire community immensely. 

September 23rd, 2020

Support Co-op staff to rebuild

The Ashland Food Co-op is dedicated to helping our community and our staff rebuild after the Almeda Fires in early September. 

For immediate support, the Co-op gave $1,000 to staff who lost their homes in the fires, as well as $250 for food and other household needs for anyone displaced due to a level 3 evacuation order.

August 27th, 2020

Change for Good in September: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

For the month of September, Ashland Food Co-op shoppers can round up at the register to support Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. Since 1973, SOLC has been working on multiple fronts to improve land quality and conservation for humans and nature alike. Check out some of the projects below that SOLC has been working on recently. And mark your calendar for Saturday, October 24, as SOLC hosts an Open Lands Day hike and tour on the Rogue River Preserve.

August 5th, 2020

Chatting about community giving with JPR's "Jefferson Exchange"

Recently, Julie O'Dwyer, Ashland Food Co-op board vice-president, joined a panel of guests on Jefferson Public Radio's "Jefferson Exchange" to discuss how the pandemic has led to an even greater need for community giving and support of local non-profits.

JPR logo

July 7th, 2020

Get to know Ashland Emergency Food Bank

The sixth cooperative principle, "Concern for Community," has become even more important since the pandemic began and economies, locally and globally, started to constrict. To address this, the Board of Directors agreed in April to release 100% of patronage dividends and designate Ashland Emergency Food Bank as a donation option for those dividends - resulting in over $20,000 in donations. And with the early launch of Change for Good register round-up, AEFB was a natural choice to receive round-up donations. 

June 15th, 2020

2020 Co-op Election Results

2020 Co-op Election Results

Ashland Food Co-op owners voted for three open seats on the Board of Directors, and for ten non-profit organizations for the Change for Good register round-up program.

Click a name below to read more about that Co-op Board member.

May 26th, 2020

Co-op Owners Step-Up to Support the Ashland Emergency Food Bank!

AFC and AEFB Press Release - Local Strength!

Release Date: 5-26-2020

In April, the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors announced to the community that the Co-op would be returning 100% of the 2019 Patronage Dividend to its owners. The 100% Patronage Dividend return to Co-op owners converted to over $628,000.

The Co-op Board felt in this time of great need it was not the right time for the Co-op to put away funds for the future, but rather to support owners fully so they may have more strength to weather these stormy times.

May 20th, 2020

Free Monday Night Lectures - virtual and recorded

Thanks to the many agile and adaptable experts in the Rogue Valley, the much-loved Free Monday Night Lectures live on - even if everything is moving online.

While we miss seeing community members with a joy of learning showing up at the Co-op Classroom, we hope these recordings teach and inspire you.