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.
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Siskiyou Seeds
With growing season upon us, it's a good time to get planting! Grown locally, organically, and without any GMOs, these are seeds with proven success in the region.
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Fry Family Farm flowers
By buying flowers locally, you can be sure of a long-lasting display of peak blooms. Always cut in-season to reflect the Rogue Valley's beauty.
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Blue Fox Farm greens
From start to finish, Blue Fox Farm focuses on quality: from seed to harvest to packing, everything takes place on the farm. Sustainable, Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth, and certified Salmon-Safe.
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Pennington Farms fig conserve
Sustainably grown berries and fruits grown by the Pennington family - plus they do muffins, pies, ice cream, and flowers!
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Banyan Botanicals' ayurvedic herbs & oils
As the first USDA certified organic Ayurvedic massage and herbal oils, Banyan Botanicals focuses on providing high-quality products and education on Ayurveda. Get support from a 5,000 year old tradition by exploring their entire line.
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Luna Verde Designs felted soap
From our neighbors in Northern California, this felted soap is vegan, with a coconut & olive oil base. Luna Verde comes from a permaculture mini-farm where they also offer classes in McCloud, CA.
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Mix breads
Already an Ashland favorite, these breads are minimally processed to create rustic, irresistible loaves.
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Pie + Vine pizza crusts and focaccia
Scratch-made Italian breads are just one of Pie + Vine's specialties. Enjoy on its own, or as a base for a personal pizza.
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Walkabout Brewing beers
With over 20 years experience brewing in Southern Oregon, you can't go wrong with a classic like the Worker’s Pale Ale or Jabberwocky English Strong Ale. Well-balanced and highly enjoyable, these could be your go-to summer brew.
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Apple Outlaw ciders
You may know Apple Outlaw because of our collaboration on the annual Community Cider, made from donated backyard apples and pears. They also do a lot of other unique ciders which stand out on their own.
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Quady North wine-in-a-can
An always-enjoyable local winemaker, Quady North is now offering some of their classics in a can. Take one with you for your next mountain summit adventure.
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Upper Five wines
Upper Five is unique for its certified-biodynamic vineyards, for ethical and sustainable land stewardship, and natural winemaking process, using native yeasts.
More Co-op News
Ashland Food Co-op Signs Contract to Purchase Property
The Ashland Food Co-op expects to soon complete the purchase of an undeveloped lot at 120 Clear Creek Drive in Ashland. The parcel is located directly behind Ashland Lumber. This purchase is a major step in the Co-op’s vision for growing its downtown presence.
Staff Picks: Summer Hikes and Trail Snacks
Our staff loves to head outside and enjoy the gorgeous Oregon outdoors. Here's a few of their favorite trails and the Co-op snacks they like to take with them.
Be a Zero Waste Hero in Four Easy Steps
By Stephanie Koerella, Education Coordinator
Reducing our waste has continued to be of greater concern for Rogue Valley residents, especially since January, when options for recycling became even more limited. While the Ashland Food Co-op is ramping up our efforts to reduce waste as a business, there is a lot that our community can do at home to help the cause.
On the Road to Sustainability
By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator
Forty six years ago, a group of families formed a buying club to access sustainable, local organic food as an alternative to modern industrial agriculture. This humble foundation of social and environmental responsibility started the Ashland Food Co-op and has shaped every decision we’ve ever made. It’s how, over four decades later, that a small buying club became a 30 million dollar, 17,500 square foot Certified Organic Retailer diverting 82% of their discards from the landfill.
Staff Picks: Earth Friendly Products
In celebration of Sustainability Month in April, we asked our Sustainability Committee to share their favorite eco-friendly product.
2018 Kids Summer Camps
We’ve teamed up with Rogue Valley Farm to School to offer three different camps this summer. Each week campers will dive into food production, preparation and exploration, with a mix of farm and kitchen experiences that delight the senses and inspire the soul. Join Rogue Valley Farm to School staff as they cultivate the ability to grow and cook delicious, healthy, seasonal meals. Monday - Wednesday at the Co-op Community Classroom, Thursday & Friday at the Farm at SOU.
Update on our Strategic Initiatives
By Ed Claassen, Board President
Your Board and Management Team invested a significant amount of time in 2014 developing a set of strategic initiatives that we believe are vital in shaping the future of our business and furthering our mission. We formed a Strategic Planning Steering Committee consisting of 3 Board members and 3 Management Team members to guide the implementation of these initiatives.
2018 Electronic Coupon Schedule
To further our sustainability efforts and to serve you better, we began offering Electronic Owner Coupons in January 2017 at the register.
No more forgetting to bring your owner coupons. No more waiting for your newsletter to arrive. Cashiers simply ask if you want to use your owner coupons when you check out.
As we enter our second year of Electronic Coupons we wanted to share a couple of friendly reminders and the 2018 month by month schedule.
Please note:
What Does Democracy Have to Do with Cooperatives?
By Annie Hoy, Marketing Manager
We often refer to cooperatives as “democratic enterprises.” But what does that really mean? The Ashland Food Co-op, like all other co-ops in most economic sectors, is owned and controlled by the people who use its services.
Co+op Basics: High Integrity, Low Price
Looking to stretch your grocery budget? So are we! We've lowered the price on over three hundred items to create a set of high integrity staples for every shopper. Welcome to Co+op Basics.
Co+op Basics includes over 300 pantry and household staples. From beef to milk to cereal, we’ve lowered the margin and price on all those items to make organic, healthy food accessible to every shopper.
Co+op Basics Staff Favorites
After the holidays, we usually find our pocket books a little lighter. Here are a few favorite Co+op Basics items our staff turn to when the money is a little tighter.
Proposals Sought for the 2018 Community Grants
The funding cycle for the 2018 Co-op Community Grants for nonprofit organizations is now open.
Every spring, for more than 20 years, we’ve been donating to area nonprofits through our Community Grant program. We are committed to creating healthy, sustainable communities and this program helps us fulfill that commitment by supporting the amazing work of local nonprofits. The Community Grant program is also the highlight of Cooperative Principle 7, Concern for Community, and is something we take to heart.
From the General Manager’s Desk
By Emile Amarotico
As we commence our lap around the sun in 2018, I wish to recognize the longstanding contributions of an amazing group of professionals. We are blessed with the dedication of eleven department managers expertly coordinating the daily flow of people, products and services that breath life into our Co-op!
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Lynne (35+ years’ tenure) our Grocery Manager oversees keeping the aisles abundant with shelf stable products and coolers full of fresh perishables.
The Role of the Board in Co-op Governance
By Gwyneth Bowman, Vice President
After serving on the AFC Board for fourteen years my passion for the Co-op model has strengthened my commitment to the Cooperative Principles and Values. Of special importance is how we work together as a governing body with one voice. We are the ultimate decision-makers of our Co-op and hold a trusteeship for the benefit of our owners and community.