Fall Staff Picks
Thanks to alpine trails and shaded valley creeks, outdoor recreation is year-round in the Rogue Valley. But fall usually makes for more frisky feet, so we asked Co-op employees for their favorite fall activities and recommendations for what they grab before they head out.
You might have shared some stoke in-store with the Grocery team's Ethan, who seeks out adrenaline in the Rogue Valley. "In the fall you can catch me shredding the single track on BTI, Caterpillar, Jabberwocky, and Alice In Wonderland. The summer is too hot but fall brings the perfect combination of tacky trails and perfect temperatures to the Ashland hills. Staying hydrated is a must and the only drink I take with me is Knudsen's Recharge, which is only sweetened by natural fruit juice and has no fake colors like other sports drinks."
Diego, on the Grocery team, is new to Ashland, so he’s still exploring the area for his favorite outdoor spots. But already, he’s a fan of the Bear Creek Greenway - “It’s sweet to have 25 miles of paved trail going right through Ashland. I can get outdoors without having to drive an hour out of the city. When I’m out, my go-to snack is a GoMacro bar. I think it’s got the best texture of any of the bars - not too mushy - and it’s totally vegan.” (Side note: join the Bear Creek Stewardship Day on Sept 28!)
When she's not organizing classes on the Co-op marketing team, Mahlea is out camping and hiking. "One of my favorite hiking trails is Wagner Butte. This is a 10-mile hike with 5 miles mostly uphill. At the top after a good work out, I like to cool off and enjoy the 360-degree view and crack open a Heater Allen Bobtoberfest - gotta have a summit beer!"
You've seen Carly at the registers, but you'll also find her enjoying walks in the neighborhood in the fall. "When the leaves start changing, I really enjoy walking B Street. Ashland is full of great gardeners, and B St is full of fiery fall colors." And since coffee is Carly's favorite beverage any time of the day, "I fill my mug with the Co-op's Bombshell coffee - it's mixed with organic pasture butter, coconut oil, and cinnamon to warm up and give me a healthy energy boost."
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
Here at the Co-op we are on a mission to promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable practices within our community.
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:
Frederick Douglass And Co-ops in 1846
When Douglass Came to Rochdale, England a Slave and Left a Free Man
By David J Thompson
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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The Rogue Action Center (RAC) builds organizing infrastructure, leaders, and community power for a just, inclusive, and sustainable Southern Oregon for everyone.