Local Starts at the Co-op
When we say local, we mean local. We source our local goods from within 200 miles of the store. By purchasing goods from local producers, we aim to create and maintain a healthy local economy and support family farms. What could be better than helping your community by buying local goods?
With all the local products that we offer, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But that’s exactly what we asked our staff to do. Here are some of their go-to local eats.
The local pears that come in September through October are fantastic. The Bartlett, Bosc and Seckel pears are wonderful but the Comice is my favorite. To find the perfect local sweet treat, lightly press on the neck for a bit of softness. Serve alongside some local Fromage Blanc from By George Farm for a decadent snack. Joe Reyes - Assistant Produce Manager
Adorned with colorful patterns and shades of fall, nothing signals the beginning of autumn like the arrival of local, organic winter squash. With its high nutrition content and adaptability to a number of diverse recipes, winter squash is a necessity in your seasonal pantry. Savory or sweet, you won’t run out of different ways to prepare this wonderful local treat. Stuffed and baked, roasted with root veggies, squash lasagna, pureed in a soup, made into bread, baked in a pie, cookies, pancakes, and more! My favorites are the Delicata and Sugarloaf varieties. Don’t forget that you can roast the seeds for a healthy snack. Barry Haynes - Produce Manager
ELAA Skin Care is handmade right here in Ashland. This is a wonderful line of environmentally conscious and good for you skincare. Jill Stacey is the founder and her goal is to create products that are beneficial for your skin while fostering a holistic sense of well being. Two of my favorites include Starlight Eye Cream and the Pineapple Illuminating Polisher. Courtney Greensill - Wellness Manager
I love the locally made Pie and Vine Pizza Crust. It’s delivered fresh from the restaurant and is delicious topped with caramelized onions and Yumm! Sauce. Yumm! Sauce is a dairy free, nut based sauce used for dipping, spreading, or saucing. Highly addictive. Kelly McNamara - Specialties Manager
One of my favorite local products is the Emerald Hills 100% Grass Fed and Finished Bone-in Ribeye Steak. These cows are raised exclusively for the Co-op in Riddle, near Canyonville. They live on lush pastures next to Cow Creek where they have almost year round access to green grass. The cows are never given antibiotics or growth hormones. The ribeye is delicious on the grill, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. I love my ribeye grilled medium rare, served with grilled asparagus and a butter and garlic cauliflower mash. Derek Shilts - Meat Department Manager
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.