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
August Change for Good Partner: Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
August's Change for Good Partner is
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
(KS Wild)
KS Wild's mission is to protect and restore wild nature in the Klamath-Siskiyou region of southwest Oregon and northwest California.
July Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
July's Change for Good Partner is
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Protecting and enhancing precious land in the Rogue River region
to benefit our human and natural communities since 1978
Meet the 1st Street Beet
Welcome to the newly redesigned and reimagined newsletter from the Ashland Food Co-op: 1st Street Beet.
Think of this publication as a resource to know what’s going on in every level of the community: at the co-op, around town, in the region, and on Earth!
June Change for Good Recipient: Our Family Farms
June's Change for Good Recipient is
Our Family Farms, an Oregon 501(c)3 non profit organization, is hard at work educating and inspiring farmers, policy makers and the community at large to support regenerative agricultural practices.
Capiche Conversations: Interview with Tracy Kaiser, Marketing & Education Manager of Ashland Food Co-op
Our own marketing manager, Tracy Kaiser, was interviewed by Melissa L. Michaels for Capiche Conversations.
May Day Community Block Party
Photography by Chelsea Whitney Art
On May 1st, several Southern Oregon businesses came together for a block party to provide a space to gather as a community after a rough spell due to the pandemic and fires. The May Day Block Party was hosted on Main St in Phoenix, where the scent of food trucks mingled with artisan goods such as local cheeses, locally farmed flowers, and even fresh-baked pastries.
May Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Farm to School
May's Change for Good Recipient is
Rogue Valley Farm to School educates children about our food system through hands-on farm and garden programs, and by increasing local foods in school meals.
"We inspire an appreciation of local agriculture that improves the economy and environment of our community and the health of its members."
April Change for Good Recipient: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
April's Change for Good Recipient is
A Visit with Rolling Hills
Visit Rolling Hills Farm and learn more about owner Dave Belzberg, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than thirty five years.
A Visit with Magnolia Farms
Visit Magnolia Farms and learn more about owner Elissa Thau, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Visit with Emerald Hills
Visit the Emerald Hills Ranch and learn more about this fourth generation ranching family that the Ashland Food Co-op is so proud to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Conversation with Katie Falkenberg, Photographer and Filmmaker
Katie Falkenberg's photography and filmmaking has taken her all over the world, and lucky for us - she's been calling the Rogue Valley home for a couple years now. Exquisitely and harmoniously capturing the world around her, she is documenting not only through the lens but also through her peaceful and loving spirit. Katie reached out to us in hopes of collaborating after falling in love with the co-op soon after moving here.
March Change for Good Recipient: North Mountain Park Nature Center
March's Change for Good Recipient is
North Mountain Park Nature Center,
a division of Ashland Parks and Recreation, that encompasses demonstration gardens, a nature playground, and approximately 14 acres of Natural Area that is managed for wildlife preservation and public education.