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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.
![Photo Credit: Chelsea Whitney Art a cheese seller smiles from behind her mask as she holds up two blocks of cheese to the camera](/sites/default/files/uploads/blog/2021-05/IMG_4147.jpg)
April’s Change for Good organization, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, provided information on their latest efforts to increase access to pollinator plants in the area.
![Photo Credit: Chelsea Whitney Art a representative from Pollinator Project Rogue Valley stands in a flower print jacket in front of an informational table](/sites/default/files/uploads/blog/2021-05/IMG_4141.jpg)
Julie O’Dwyer, Board Vice-President and AFC Gives Committee Co-Chair represented The Ashland Food Co-op at the community-centric event.
![Photo Credit: Chelsea Whitney Art Julie O'Dwyer, Ashland Food Co-op (AFC) Board Vice President, smiles from behind a teal mask with an AFC sticker and AFC branded hat](/sites/default/files/uploads/blog/2021-05/IMG_4139.jpg)
The event generated activity for small businesses and provided the opportunity for them to connect with folks in attendance.
![Photo Credit: Chelsea Whitney Art a man in a backwards orange cap looks on from the counter of his red food truck](/sites/default/files/uploads/blog/2021-05/IMG_4143.jpg)
One group in attendance was a new initiative for the recovery of Almeda Fire victims: Zone Captains. Find more information about their ongoing efforts at ZoneCaptains.org
![Photo Credit: Chelsea Whitney Art a woman stands grinning and waving to someone in the distance. She has star shaped stickers on her bare arms and legs and is holding a stack of Zone Captain flyers.](/sites/default/files/uploads/blog/2021-05/IMG_4144.jpg)
Photography by Chelsea Whitney Art
More Co-op News
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July's Change for Good Partner - Maslow Project
Ashland Food Co-op is thrilled to partner with Maslow Project for our Change for Good program! Maslow Project is an incredible organization that works tirelessly to support homeless youth and families in Southern Oregon. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, and they do this through a range of services including housing assistance, medical care, and educational support.
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June 2023 Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
The Ashland Food Co-op is teaming up with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC) as its Change for Good partner for this month. This collaboration aims to support SOLC's mission of conserving Southern Oregon's natural landscapes and habitats.
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Bicycle Benefits
Here at the Co-op we are on a mission to promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable practices within our community.
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May 2023 Change for Good Partner: Talent Maker City
Talent Maker City's mission is to build a more connected, prosperous, and resilient community through hands-on creativity and innovative STEAM-based learning. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math.) They have a bustling Makerspace facility, brimming with creative energy in downtown Talent offering hands-on STEAM-based workshops and programming for curious minds of all ages!
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Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
We're always learning and growing here at the Co-op and with the approach of Cinco de Mayo we thought we would share a (very) brief history lesson and some thoughts on celebrating this holiday here in the United States.
April 2023 Change for Good Partner: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
From Kristina Lefever, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley President
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March 2023 Change for Good: Klamath Bird Observatory
From Klamath Bird Observatory, March 2023's Change for Good partner:
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Frederick Douglass And Co-ops in 1846
When Douglass Came to Rochdale, England a Slave and Left a Free Man
By David J Thompson
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February's Change for Good partner: OHRA
OHRA helps low-income people build better lives through access to social service resources. By helping
people move from crisis to stability, OHRA builds more capable individuals, stronger families, and a
better community. We have three core programs:
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January Change for Good Partner: Ashland Food Angels
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December Change for Good Partner: Rogue Action Center
December's Change for Good Partner is
Rogue Action Center
The Rogue Action Center (RAC) builds organizing infrastructure, leaders, and community power for a just, inclusive, and sustainable Southern Oregon for everyone.
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November Change for Good Partner: Vesper Meadow Education Program
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October Change for Good Partner: AFC Gives Community Fund
October's Change for Good Partner is
AFC Gives Community Fund
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September Change for Good Partner: Truth to Power
September's Change for Good Partner is
Truth to Power
Truth to Power cultivates teen activism and community participation through social justice podcasts and transformative projects.