Coronavirus Preparedness at the Co-op
Update as of March 15th, 2022: Oregon Health Authority no longer requires face coverings to be worn in all public indoor settings.
Update as of August 13th, 2021: Oregon Health Authority requires face coverings to be worn in all public indoor settings in response to a large jump in COVID-19 hospitalizations due to the Delta variant of the virus. We require face coverings to be worn by all shoppers, employees, vendors, contractors, and other visitors. Designated Priority Shopping hour resumes for vulnerable community members from 7:00 am to 8:00 am daily. Our eGrocery curbside pick-up program resumes on our website on Friday for pick-up on Monday, August 16th with a $10 service charge. Due to labor shortages, please reserve this program for high-risk shoppers.
Update as of July 28th, 2021: Oregon Health Authority recommends universal public mask use for all public indoor settings. In response to a large jump in cases due to the Delta variant. This recommendation includes fully vaccinated people.
Update as of June 30th, 2021: Face coverings and social distancing are no longer required for Co-op shoppers. Employees will continue to adhere to OSHA standards that require face coverings and social distancing. Thank you for your support and patience throughout!
The Ashland Food Co-op acknowledges and shares our community’s concerns about protecting against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The safety and health of staff and customers is a top priority for the Co-op. We are taking proactive steps throughout our store to maintain a clean atmosphere to work and shop.
We have consolidated store changes below.
OHA's mask guidance:
• “Face covering” means a cloth, polypropylene, paper or other face covering that covers the nose and the mouth and that rests snugly above the nose, below the mouth, and on the sides of the face.
• The following are not face coverings because they allow droplets to be released: a covering that incorporates a valve that is designed to facilitate easy exhalation, mesh masks, lace masks or other coverings with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material, or vents.
Hours of operation:
- 7-8am: priority shopping for vulnerable community members.
- Store hours remain 7am-9pm.
- The AFC Kitchen and hot bar closes at 8pm. You can now order ahead from the kitchen online.
Before entering the store:
- All staff and shoppers in the store must wear a mask or face covering. Free temporary masks are available at the Customer Service Desk.
- Reusable grocery bags are allowed if you bag your own groceries.
- Sanitizing wipes are available at all cart stations.
- Please do not hang out or otherwise loiter in the Co-op courtyard or store.
In the store:
- Aisles are one way -
Please follow the "one way" stickers on the store floor to help maintain distance in aisles. - A no-touch hand sanitizer dispenser is located at the Information Desk and to the right of the exit doors.
- As of April 20th, 2021 reusable bulk and produce bags are acceptable.
- The $.02 charge on plastic produce bags will resume- effective April 22nd, 2021.
- Bulk nut butters are being individually packaged and stored in the bulk cooler.
- Please help protect cashiers and yourself by bagging your own groceries, if you are able.
- Plexiglass barriers have been installed to help protect cashiers and shoppers where social distancing isn't possible.
- You'll find social distancing reminder stickers at checkout stands and throughout the store. Thanks for helping to share your space.
Co-op Kitchen:
- No outside mugs or containers are permitted.
- Indoor seating is currently closed.
- The hot bar, salad bar and soup bar are no longer self-service; Co-op employees will help to box your meal to-go.
- Self-serve coffee is no longer available.
- The Co-op has increased the number of items available as “Grab & Go” selections.
Special orders & returns:
Special orders are being accepted. Product returns are permitted as of April 20th, 2021.
Classes, events and sales:
- Free Monday Night Lectures are being held online most weeks. Check the Events page for more coming up.
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Links to information providing illness prevention steps and facts about COVID-19 can be found below.
World Health Organization (WHO)
covid
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
Jackson County Public Health Advisory
Cloth masks for staff
Led by board member Julie O'Dwyer, a group of Co-op friends worked hard over several days to make two cloth masks for each employee, in accordance with new recommendations from the CDC and OHA.
Thanks to these selfless, thoughtful community members for their contributions to everyone's safety:
Joe Dunbar - 200 masks at a discounted price; Erin McConnell - 45 masks and counting; Erica Thompson - 30 masks; board member Trine Ostergaard - 30 masks; Jenni Presley - 7 masks; Christine Begley - 30 masks.
More Co-op News
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
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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!
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
We're always learning and growing here at the Co-op and with the approach of Cinco de Mayo we thought we would share a (very) brief history lesson and some thoughts on celebrating this holiday here in the United States.
April 2023 Change for Good Partner: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
From Kristina Lefever, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley President
March 2023 Change for Good: Klamath Bird Observatory
From Klamath Bird Observatory, March 2023's Change for Good partner:
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When Douglass Came to Rochdale, England a Slave and Left a Free Man
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February's Change for Good partner: OHRA
OHRA helps low-income people build better lives through access to social service resources. By helping
people move from crisis to stability, OHRA builds more capable individuals, stronger families, and a
better community. We have three core programs:
January Change for Good Partner: Ashland Food Angels
December Change for Good Partner: Rogue Action Center
December's Change for Good Partner is
Rogue Action Center
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