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.

Siskiyou Seeds

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.

Fry Family Farm flowers

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.

Blue Fox Farm greens

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.

Pennington Farms fig conserve

Pennington Farms fig conserve
Sustainably grown berries and fruits grown by the Pennington family - plus they do muffins, pies, ice cream, and flowers!

Banyan Botanicals' Ayurvedic herbs & oils

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.

Luna Verde Designs felted soap

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.

Mix breads

Mix breads
Already an Ashland favorite, these breads are minimally processed to create rustic, irresistible loaves.

Pie + Vine pizza crusts and focaccia

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.

Walkabout Brewing beers

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.

Apple Outlaw ciders

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.

Quady North wine-in-a-can

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.

Upper Five wines

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

Community Cider Backyard Fruit Drive

How often can you browse the shelf at your neighborhood grocery store, see a bottle of hand crafted, local cider and say, “Hey, I help make that!” Well, at the Co-op you can.

2018 Board Election Results

The AFC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Board Election. There were three excellent candidates running for two Board positions. In total, 905 votes were cast.

Congratulations to the following candidates who will serve three-year terms on the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors.

Thank you for voting!

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Meet Store Manager Barry Haynes

By Barry Haynes, Store Manager

Twenty three years ago my wife and I began our quest to relocate our family from the midwest to the west coast. We were looking for a beautiful area with an  engaged community that would enable our children to thrive. Equally important, we wanted our new home to have a vibrant natural food store. When we arrived in southern Oregon, we felt as though we hit the jackpot.

Beat the Heat

When the heat of summer takes over, it can be hard on our bodies and moods. Don’t let the scorching temps get you down, cool off with one of these refreshing Staff recommendations.
 

Report from the Board of Directors: Strategic Plan Update

By Jeff Golden, External Relations Committee Chair

Ashland Food Co-op is striding into the future with careful intention. We’re especially focused on the three top priorities of our strategic planning process, a collaboration of our board and management team. A quick update:

Riding off into the Sunset

 

By Annie Hoy, Retiring Marketing Manager

Since I was born and raised in far West Texas, I cannot help but use some imagery from what is so familiar to me.

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.

 

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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.