December Change for Good: Jackson County Fuel Committee
If you’ve lived through even one Rogue Valley winter, you know the cold settles in quickly. The frosty mornings, the long dark evenings, the kind of chill that lingers no matter how many layers you put on - winter can be tough. And while many of us can manage with the help of heaters, woodstoves, and warm homes, thousands of families in our community struggle to access the heat they need to stay safe and comfortable. That’s where the Jackson County Fuel Committee (JCFC) comes in!
Fueling Warmth Since 1978
JCFC started as a volunteer-led effort by forestry workers, mill workers, teachers, students, clergy, and everyday community members who realized something wasn’t adding up: people were cold, yet wood and energy resources were abundant.
Their mission hasn’t changed: make sure low-income families have access to heat, whether that’s emergency firewood, help preventing utility shutoffs, or weatherization support to keep homes warmer and energy bills lower.
A Community Effort With Serious Momentum
This year, JCFC entered the winter season with an impressive surge of support from across the Rogue Valley.
• Local students stepped up.
Thirty teens from Academia Latina rolled into a Wednesday woodcut ready to learn, sweat, and haul. They cut and stacked a full cord of firewood for JCFC members who couldn’t physically manage the work. As one JCFC team member said, these kids “knew what they were doing," and they taught each other along the way.
• A new structure took shape thanks to skilled hands.
The Timber Framers Guild designed and built a gorgeous new timber-frame structure for the JCFC woodlot, crafted by more than 100 people ranging in age from 13 to 73. Finished in September, the structure will help streamline firewood distribution so more families can get what they need, faster.
• Chainsaw pros lent their skills.
Pacific Oasis, one of the nation’s largest wildland firefighting companies, spent a full day at the woodlot tackling massive logs as part of their chainsaw certification class. They walked away with practical experience and JCFC walked away with a lot more firewood ready for delivery.
• Tree services delivered big.
Several local tree services sent truckloads of wood to the woodlot, including one forestry worker who spent months preparing six whole cords of cured and split firewood. That donation alone will help carry JCFC through December.
All this support meant JCFC rolled into the first cold snap with stocked woodpiles, new infrastructure, and enough volunteers to deliver firewood to more than a dozen households right out of the gate.
A Rough Winter Ahead And Why JCFC Matters
JCFC organizers expect this winter to be especially hard for low-income households. Heating costs are rising, and the cold is coming on fast.
As JCFC Benefits Coordinator Reyna O’Grady put it, “We have every reason to believe this is going to be a uniquely rough winter for people… and we need all hands on deck.”
At the Co-op, this is where our Change for Good program shines. Every time you round up at the register in December, you’re helping keep someone warm. You’re helping a family avoid a shutoff. You’re helping a senior heat their home safely. You’re supporting the volunteers who spend their weekends cutting, splitting, delivering, and advocating - rain, shine, or snow.
How You Can Help Warm a Home
• Round up at the register all month long. Every penny goes directly to JCFC’s fuel assistance efforts.
• Spread the word - share their work with a friend, co-worker, or neighbor.
• Volunteer or get involved by calling JCFC at 541-488-2905. (Ask for Reyna - they’ll point you in the right direction.)
Winter is coming on strong; let’s help make sure no one faces the cold alone.
More Co-op News
A dozen local favorites to explore this summer
The Co-op has always had a focus on supporting the strong local scene of growers and producers - and in these times, it's even more important. Here is just a small selection of some of our favorites from the area. Help support local businesses next time you stop by the Co-op by picking one of these products.
Unwavering Spirit in a Time of Change
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager
It’s been two months since my last update on our Co-op community, but it could just as well have been two years ago, or from an alternate reality! Needless to say, life at the Co-op has changed, and it hasn’t been easy for employees or shoppers. But despite the challenges, it has been an inspiring and reaffirming time that reminds us why we love the cooperative enterprise.
Staying Sustainable in A Changing World
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
In the midst of a health crisis, how can we focus on sustainability? Let’s be real - these are tough times!
What does sustainability look like now? I like to refer to the definition of sustainability - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. How can we meet the needs of the present, while keeping the future in mind?
Democracy and Co-ops
By Annie Hoy, Board Director
This month, AFC Owners will democratically elect a slate of board candidates. These candidates are co-op owners, just like you and me. By holding annual elections, co-ops around the world and close to home are expressing Cooperative Principle 2: Democratic Member Control.
2019 Patronage Dividends are available now
From the Board of Directors:
This year, the Co-op Board of Directors is taking unprecedented action to distribute 100% of the over $628,000 2019 Patronage Dividend to our owners. In this time of great need, there is no holding back. This is not the moment to put away funds for the future, but rather to support our owners fully so that we may all have more strength to weather the storm.
Beans from Scratch
Michelle isn't serving up samples right now, so she's serving up kitchen tips instead! Here's her tried and true approach to cooking dry beans, plus some extra tips for upping your flavor, saving time, and cook other legumes. (Ingredients and modifications are below the video.)
Ingredients
Tips to Stay Safe and Limit Waste
By Mahlea Rasmussen, Education Coordinator
Inspired by Bea Johnson's Zero Waste Home
We are in uncertain times and some of you may be second-guessing some of your zero waste practices and replacing them with safety measures for you and your family. I was proud not to have chemical cleaners in my home and never used plastic gloves - but now those products are being suggested for staying clean and safe. Here are some tips to keep your home safe while working towards more sustainability.
Ashland Food Co-op employees are heroes, worthy of respect and gratitude
Until a crisis like this occurs, few think of Grocers as essential service providers. However, our employees have been here day in and day out, risking their health and the safety of their loved ones, to provide food for our community. This is not a job that can be done from home or from what is now considered a safe social distance. Our employees have worked with the utmost professionalism, care, and concern for shopper well-being.
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.