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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.
I have traveled and worked in more than 40 countries. Currently I am the Executive Director of The Crest at Willow-Witt, an educational non-profit focused on the connection between farm, forest and water. I cook as meditation, I garden for clarity, and I teach my daughter about my love for food to inspire. If I was a vegetable I would be a beet - sweet, flavorful, grounded and full of potential. I grew up in Denmark and have a slight accent. I love rain, candle lights, and pickled herring. Lastly, and possibly most important, I smile a lot.
Why do you want to lead the Co-op?
I love everything food related! The Co-op is such and integral part of Ashland and I would love to bring my passion, drive, business and non-profit experience to the AFC Board and help ensure a strong, healthy, and successful future for the cultural gem that is the Ashland Food Co-op.
What is the one product from the Co-op you can't live without and why?
I love the bulk section in general, but to be able to buy Licorice Root in bulk is such a treat - it makes the best tea. I couldn't live without it.
More Co-op News
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Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili is one of my favorite Co+op Basics recipes. It is full of flavor, color and shatters the myth that a healthy meal has to cost a fortune and take all day to prepare. This recipe is also a clever way to use sweet potatoes, which are not only tasty but high in fiber and vitamin A.
Looking to Save Money at the Co-op?
By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator
We hear from time to time that people feel the Co-op is higher priced than other stores. In the past, we may have earned this perception. But not anymore. We took a long, hard look at ourselves and we talked with other Co-ops across the country. Together, we are pooling our resources to bring you organic, household staples at everyday competitive, low prices. Welcome to Co+op Basics.
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45 Years Strong
On Valentine’s Day, the Ashland Food Co-op turns 45 years old.
It’s hard to imagine we’ve been providing healthy, organic food to the Rogue Valley for almost half a century. From our humble beginnings as the Ashland Community Food Store to now a thriving Co-op with over 10,000 owners, it has been an honor to serve this community.
Let’s take a brief stroll down memory lane and see how far we’ve come in 45 years.
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Saving Paper One Coupon at a Time
To further our sustainability efforts and to serve you better, we began offering Electronic Owner Coupons this month at the register.
No more forgetting to bring your owner coupons. No more waiting for your newsletter to arrive. Cashiers will simply ask if you want to use your owner coupons when you check out.
A few key points to remember:
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Thank YOU For a Wonderful Year!
2016 had many notable moments. We hosted many successful family friendly events, added 150 more solar panels to our roof, and earned 25% of our sales for local products. We proudly donated over $24,000 to area nonprofits through our Community Grants program. We welcomed 482 new owners and averaged 3,500 daily transactions.
Whew! And that is just a small sample.
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Give Local
The food holiday season has finally arrived. This time of year is by far our most favorite. We’ve been dreaming of gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, turkey (or tofurky if that’s your fancy) and eggnog for months.
But beyond the holiday feasts, we love this time of year for another reason. It’s the season of giving. Amidst the shopping frenzies, family gatherings, and parties, giving back often becomes an afterthought.
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Happy Thanks-chicken!
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:
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Co-ops Grow Communities
Co-ops around the world share a set of guiding principles including “cooperation among cooperatives,” and “concern for community.” We take these principles to heart.
When you shop at the Co-op, you aren’t just buying groceries. You are supporting a business that cares about people and contributes to a livable, sustainable Rogue Valley.
Did you know?
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In 2015, we donated over $24,000 to area nonprofits.
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Feed an (Italian) army with Co+op Basics
My Italian Grandmother’s heart swells every time she sees my well-stocked pantry. I am prepared to feed an army at a moment’s notice, and sometimes that actually happens with my big family. But what my Grandma doesn’t know is how much I save by stocking my pantry with Co+op Basics products.
We Love Local
We take pride in supporting local farmers, producers, vendors and vintners. When we say local, we mean local. At some grocery stores, the word local gets thrown around like the word “natural,” ambiguously and with a broad definition.
But local means something to us. A definition we take meticulous pride in.
Local adjective
Any food or product grown, produced or made within 200 miles.
Let’s use it in a sentence. The Ashland Food Co-op supports an average of 250 local companies.
Wanted: Wormy Apples, Fallen Plums & Over Ripe Pears
Urban fruit is copious this time of year in the Rogue Valley. It’s hard, dare we say impossible, to make enough pies, cobblers, and salads to keep up with the backyard abundance.
So what do you do with all that unpicked fruit?
Instead of letting your pears, plums and apples go to waste, or to feed the deer, bring them to the Co-op for collection.
Apple Outlaw Cider, in collaboration with the local community, is setting out to create a one of a kind hard cider, dubbed “Apple Outlaw Community Cider”.
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Fire Up The Grill
Break out of your dinner rut with something fast and juicy. The Meat Department staff share their go-to favorites to throw on the grill. Flame on, baby!
Brian Swift
Flat Iron is my favorite steak. So simple to cook. Just add salt, pepper, garlic, and cook it on a super hot grill. 5 minutes later you have an amazing steak.
Sam Roberts
TriTip marinated in our Kinders barbeque sauce, seared on both sides with a little pink in the middle, is what I really enjoy the most.
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Summer Picnic Guide
Everyone loves a picnic. But some are better at organizing one than others. Make planning the perfect picnic a breeze with our easy picnic guide.
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A Party for YOU
Each year we hold an Annual Meeting and Owner Picnic. This is our chance to catch up over a delightful picnic and most importantly update you on the recent year’s events and financials.
This year, we are changing things up a bit. The Annual Meeting and Owner Picnic will be more family friendly than ever before. We have a new menu designed to appeal to busy little (and big!) hands so you and your kiddos have time to enjoy one of our many family friendly activities.
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6 Reasons to Buy in Bulk
Bulk bins have been a staple at the Ashland Food Co-op since we opened our doors in 1972. For good reason too, buying in bulk is better. Better for your pocket book, better for the environment, and better for your belly. Here’s why.
6 Reasons to Buy in Bulk