July Change for Good Partner: White Oak Farm
This month, we’re proud to support White Oak Farm, an inspiring organization that blends sustainable farming, environmental education, and community nourishment—right here in Southern Oregon.
White Oak Farm is a working farm and outdoor classroom that grows thousands of pounds of organic produce annually for local schools, food banks, and families in need. But they do so much more than just grow food - they’re cultivating connection, resilience, and opportunity.
School Gardens with Purpose
One of White Oak’s newest and most heartwarming partnerships is with Hidden Valley High School’s Life Skills class. Together with the school’s Woodworking Class (and some donated cedar boards from a local mill), they built raised garden beds to grow veggies and flowers. The vegetables go into a weekly Food Share program that helps over 100 local families, and the flowers are harvested by students and sold as bouquets to staff and families. It’s a beautiful cycle of empowerment, learning, and giving back.
Growing to Share
Through their Produce Share Program, White Oak Farm works with schools and food banks to ensure students and families have access to fresh, organic fruits and veggies. Apples, kale, cheese, ferments - you name it, they’ve probably grown it. This summer, they’re partnering with the Josephine County Food Bank to stock the Williams food pantry, and come fall, they’ll be sharing thousands of pounds of butternut squash, apples, and pears with local schools.
Restoring Lands, Growing Shade
Over the past six years, White Oak Farm has grown over half a million native plants for restoration efforts along Bear Creek, the Rogue River, and beyond. Now, they’re bringing that same energy to our urban neighborhoods. With funding from the Oregon Legislature and support from several partners, they’re launching a new tree-planting initiative aimed at reducing heat in low-income communities - especially those impacted by the Almeda Fire. Thousands of trees will be grown and given away to help cool and re-green the Valley for generations to come.
How You Can Help
When you round up at the register this July, you’re supporting White Oak Farm’s incredible efforts—from school gardens to food equity to climate resilience. Thank you for helping us grow something beautiful, together.
More Co-op News
Love Local with the Local Guy
Throughout September, we will be celebrating all things local. And no one loves local or is more local than our Temporary Demo Coordinator, Brighton Litjens. He was basically raised at the Co-op, has a strong passion for local farmers and producers and loves delighting shoppers with delicious samples and great deals. Who better to tell us about loving local than the "Local Guy" himself?
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Owner Benefits: Independence and Connection
By Julie O'Dwyer, Board Secretary, Chair of the Owner Engagement Committee
Meet Board of Director Trine Ostergaard
Trine Ostergaard is a newly elected Ashland Food Co-op Board of Director. She brings a world, literally, of experience to the table and has a sincere passion and love for the Co-op. We are thrilled to have her aboard and asked her to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Meet Board of Director Dean Williamson
Dean Williamson is a newly elected Ashland Food Co-op Board of Director. He brings to the table a plethora of co-op experience and a love of chocolate chip cookies. We are thrilled to have him aboard and asked him to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Staff Picks: Favorite Local Products
September is Love Local Month! All month long we’re celebrating our local farmers and vendors with demos, events and more. Here are some of our staff's favorite local products.
How Can I Reduce My Plastic Use at the Co-op?
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
Plastic pollution today is a global dilemma. Did you know that more than 40% of plastic is used once, then tossed? In 2015, 79% of total plastic waste ended up in landfills or the environment. How can our co-op help reduce the amount of single-use plastics? Luckily, we offer a variety of options for owners.
Stainless Steel Straws
Meet Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
By Lauren Taber, Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
Pachamama Coffee Cooperative started in 2001 with a few simple questions in mind: what would it look like to take Fair Trade a step further? How can coffee farmers be in direct relationship with end consumers in the United States?
We found that the answer was even simpler: cooperative ownership. Pachamama Coffee has been 100% farmer-owned since day one, and is currently owned by 140,000 small scale family farmers across the coffee producing regions of the world.
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.