We know, we know, November is all about turkey. But let us not forget the other, other white meat this holiday season. Chicken. This poultry meat often gets the spotlight, but during the month of November it is well deserved. Why? Because all month long, every time you purchase a Smart Chicken® product at the Co-op you help feed a hungry family in the Rogue Valley.

Here’s how it works:

• For every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken® you purchase from the Meat Department or the Deli, the company will donate one pound of chicken to ACCESS, Inc.

• ACCESS then distributes the chicken through their food share program, providing emergency food boxes to hungry families and individuals in Jackson County through a network of over 24 food pantries. The program also supplies food to over 20 agency programs serving low-income individuals.

For over 10 years, Smart Chicken® and Ashland Food Co-op have teamed up to donate thousands of pounds of chicken to ACCESS, Inc.

Last year ACCESS received over 1,800 pounds of chicken. That kind of past support of the Smart Giving Program has made the Co-op the top ranking West Coast single store in sales during the promotion. Let’s do that again this year!

Smart Chicken® has a wide range of fresh chicken products. The company was the first in the U.S. to use air-chill technology, and offers products that are both Certified Organic and Certified Humane.

Not a fan of chicken or a meat eater? No problem. There are many ways to give through the Ashland Food Co-op. Every time you check out at the register, you have the opportunity to donate any dollar amount to ACCESS, the American Red Cross, Ashland Food Bank, or Ashland Schools Foundation. It’s as simple as telling the cashier the amount and which organization you’d like to donate to.

Whether you’re stocking up on chicken or donating a dollar at the register, we thank you for your giving spirit this holiday season. Happy holidays from our Co-op family to yours!