Feed an (Italian) army with Co+op Basics
My Italian Grandmother’s heart swells every time she sees my well-stocked pantry. I am prepared to feed an army at a moment’s notice, and sometimes that actually happens with my big family. But what my Grandma doesn’t know is how much I save by stocking my pantry with Co+op Basics products.
From nuts to pasta to olive oil to broths, all are on standby in my pantry looking forward to when they join a pot to make a yummy meal. My well stocked rice, quinoa, vinegar, dressings and beans eagerly await the day they will become a salad in that new ceramic bowl they’ve been making googly eyes with. All of these are Co+op Basics products and are going to save you heaps of money.
What is Co+op Basics?
Through the National Co+op Grocers, we have pooled our buying strength with over 150 food co-ops across the country to negotiate lower prices on essential daily products. When we save, you save, so we introduced Co+op Basics. Co+op Basics offers 260 staple food and household items at or below suggested retail cost.
But we decided to take it one step further. Our department managers said, "This is good, but we can do better." On top of the NCG negotiated low prices, each department at the Co-op has chosen popular must-have items and reduced their price (often dramatically) to give you more savings at the register.
From the pantry to medicine cabinet, Co+op Basics can save you money in every part of your home.
The Refrigerator
It’s where you start your day. Half-asleep, you prepare breakfast. You make coffee, scramble some eggs with splash of milk, sprinkle with cheese, and grab a yogurt and an apple for a mid morning snack. Guess what? All of these items are on Co+op Basics.
Beyond breakfast, Co+op Basics foods are also staple at my Sunday family dinners. Imagine feeding 50 Italians on linguini and meatball night? Thankfully, I can and not break the bank. From grass-fed beef to pasta sauce, almost the entire meal is cooked with Co+op Basics products.
Tip: Shop the purple Co+op Basics tags AND use your 10% owner's discount for extra savings. With the combined savings, you’re often getting your items below cost. Now that's exciting!
The Pantry
I learned at an early age that a pantry should be filled with a family’s favorite canned tomatoes and pasta for weekly marinara night. There’s nothing better than being the one who gets to choose which shape pasta the family will eat that night. From pasta sauces to olives to linguine to spaghetti to fusilli and penne, these staple Co+op Basic products make dinner fun and delicious.
Tip: Did you know that you can save 70% when you buy Co+op Basics pinto beans in bulk versus canned? And that you can save 55% when you buy quinoa in bulk versus a box off the shelf? Yes please!
The Bathroom
Shampoo, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper and tissues are all home essentials we’ve cut prices on to pass those savings to you. Interested in taking healthy supplements? Fill your medicine cabinet with over 80 Wellness items on Co+op Basics.
Tip: If your wellness/body care products total $100 or more, you get a 10% discount on those products. This happens automatically at the register for owners and non-owners. Imagine buying $100 of Co+op Basics wellness/body care products, getting your 10% wellness discount AND adding your 10% owners discount- we’re practically paying you to take those products home.
Storage Closet
Storage closets offer a central place to store our household items. Growing families will be happy to know that we have diapers, wipes, formula and baby food at reduced prices on our Co+op Basics program. In my family, we’re in love with Sappo Hill Soap. It’s in our shower, kitchen sink, bathroom sink and I’m pretty sure my husband sleeps with a few under his pillow. It’s local, has only a few ingredients and it’s on Co+op Basics.
Tip: Keep an eye out for manufacture coupons on Co+op Basic items. I buy my favorite Co+op Basic dish soap when it has a manufacturer’s coupon and it’s the best price in town.
Learn first hand how to plan and prep budget friendly meals using Co+op Basics products. Sign up for our Co+op Basics Cooking Class this Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30pm. FREE to Co-op Owners. Can’t make it then? We’ll offer another class after the first of the year. Stay tuned!
More Co-op News
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.
Fall Favorites from the Co-op
Like it or not, the cool weather has arrived. Whether you are heading out for a hike or enjoying a good book by the fire, the Co-op Deli has what you need to fuel your favorite fall activity. Stay warm with these comfort food recommendations from the Co-op Deli.
From the General Manager's Desk
By Emile Amarotico
A recent visitor commented that our parking is totally inadequate to our business volume. What’s true is that we cannot create more parking due to space and municipal code constraints. Thus, the value of each available space is increasing over time. Assuming only half of Co-op shoppers use automobile parking, each space supports at least $200,000 in annual sales.