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.
It’s been over a year since shoppers first encountered our Parking Ambassadors. We continue to hear gratitude for how this resource has eliminated much of the stress associated with cramped and limited parking. If assistance allows for more efficient vehicle arrival and departure, it is possible that our capacity can grow without more land. For each virtual parking space created in this way, we increase our capacity by over $200,000 in future sales.
It’s been two and a half months since we launched the Bicycle Benefits program offering enrolled riders 5% off on purchases. While growing steadily discounts have been less than $1,000 per month. Extrapolating to a full year, these riders could easily generate over $200,000 in sales, creating additional virtual capacity equivalent to another parking space!
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While we cannot add more parking at this time, we continue to explore ways to maximize our existing space and to encourage fewer automobile trips. I welcome your ideas at [email protected].
More Co-op News
September Change for Good Partner: Truth to Power
September's Change for Good Partner is
Truth to Power
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Truth to Power cultivates teen activism and community participation through social justice podcasts and transformative projects.
July Change for Good Partner: Ashland Food Angels
June Change for Good Partner: Maslow Project
Celebrate Ashland Food Co-op's 50th Anniversary
Ashland Food Co-op has been a staple in our community for 50 years and invites you to celebrate this anniversary with them on June 3rd, 2022 from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, at the AFC employee parking lot for dancing, food, face painting and more!
Music by Eight Dollar Mountain and Wild and Blue.
Siano's Karibbean Cookhouse, Walkabout Brewing Co. and Rogue Kombucha will be joining us with delicious food and beverages available for purchase.
May Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Farm to School
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Open House Hiring Event
The Ashland Food Co-op is excited to provide employees with a fun, professional workplace with potential for growth and advancement. We see every day as an opportunity to better our community, our planet, and ourselves! Eligible employees will receive a 15% employee discount on all store purchases, affordable healthcare, 3.5 weeks of paid time off in your first year for vacation and sick days, matching 401K plan after 1 year, productivity and profit sharing bonus opportunities, free organic produce every day... and so much more!
April Change for Good Partner: Options for Helping Residents of Ashland
April's Change for Good Partner is
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Standing with Democracy
Our Community Food Co-op has joined, along with other co-ops across the nation, to donate to a Disaster Recovery Fund organized by National Co+op Grocers (NCG) Cooperation, Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) and National Co-op Business Association of the United States (NCBA CLUSA) to Co-op Ukraine to support cooperatives impacted by the war in Ukraine.
Thank you for 50 years.
Celebrate our anniversary with us!
June 3rd, 2022 at the Ashland Food Co-op:
March Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
February Change for Good Partner: Rogue Farm Corps
January Change for Good Partner: Rogue Climate
January's Change for Good Partner is
local nonprofit Rogue Climate
Rogue Climate was founded in 2013 in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon.