Meet our March Change for Good Recipient
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. They aim to inspire an appreciation of local agriculture that improves the economy and environment of our community and the health of its members. Rogue Valley Farm to School is proud to serve as southern Oregon’s Regional Hub for Education and Procurement. Under the leadership of the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network, they work across the state with regional leaders to discuss best practices in the farm to school movement, policy and funding initiatives, annual gatherings, and more.
RVF2S is proud to host a myriad of educational programs such as:
Summer Cooking Camps for Kids
Join Rogue Valley Farm to School staff as they cultivate the ability to grow and cook delicious, nutritious, seasonal meals. Each week, campers will dive into food production, preparation and exploration, with a mix of farm and kitchen experiences that delight the senses and inspire the budding chef!
Local Partnerships
The Digging Deeper School Partnership Program was launched in 2018 as a targeted effort to support a culture of health and project-based learning in school communities. The programs works with schools to identify a focused grade; then, staff offers a layered approach of program delivery to ensure that education about living and eating healthy is intertwined in classroom subjects and beyond to give students a rich, meaningful educational experience.
Harvest of the Month
Each month, students have the opportunity to try, like, and love recipes featuring local, seasonal fruits and vegetables. RVF2S partners with schools in Central Point, Phoenix and Talent to bring monthly Tasting Tables to cafeterias throughout the school year. Students sample local, seasonal fruits and vegetables in their cafeterias, then vote on what they thought about the new foods. RVF2S staff share the results with school food services to help inform future lunch menu items! Each student receives the recipes to take home and share with their families.
With the average consumer being multiple generations removed from the farm, and modern food production often under assault in the media, it is vital that children be introduced to agriculture at an early age via primary education. Educating children about farm production not only connects them to their food source, but it creates a chain-linked response into their homes. Kids go home and tell their parents what they learned at school, unintentionally informing their family and friends in the process. Programs like Rogue Valley Farm to School are essential for the wellbeing and interconnectedness of our modern society.
To find out more, visit www.rvfarm2school.org
More Co-op News
April Change for Good: ScienceWorks
ScienceWorks: Growing Sustainably, Connecting Community
March Change for Good: Parker House Project
Homelessness remains a serious issue in Southern Oregon, and women—especially single women and mothers with children—face unique challenges when seeking shelter and stability. That’s where Parker House Project comes in.
February Change for Good: BASE Southern Oregon
This February, Ashland Food Co-op is proud to support BASE Southern Oregon as our Change for Good partner! BASE (Black Alliance & Social Empowerment) is a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and empowering Black residents in Southern Oregon through events, resources, and advocacy.
Your donations at the register all month long will help BASE continue their impactful work, and there are plenty of ways to get involved! Here’s what’s coming up:
January’s Change for Good Partner – Community Works
At Ashland Food Co-op, we’re thrilled to kick off the new year by supporting Community Works, our January Change for Good partner. This incredible organization is dedicated to empowering individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence through crisis support, safe housing, and community outreach. Community Works provides services that are free, confidential, and open to all genders, ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.
Here’s how Community Works is making a difference and how you can get involved:
Ashland Food Co-op's December Change for Good Partner: Rogue Action Center
This December, Ashland Food Co-op is proud to partner with Rogue Action Center (RAC) as part of their Change for Good initiative. RAC is dedicated to cultivating organizing power and leadership to create a more just and thriving Southern Oregon. Their mission focuses on building community power for Housing Justice, Racial Justice, and Queer & Trans Liberation. They achieve this through a combination of base building, youth-centered leadership development, coalition building, and advocacy campaigns aimed at transforming societal rules.
Our November Change for Good Partner: SOESD Indian Education Fund
Each month, the Ashland Food Co-op partners with a local nonprofit through our Change for Good program. This November, we are proud to feature the important work of the Southern Oregon Indian Education Department (SOESD) Indian Education Fund.
The Change for Good program allows our shoppers to round up their total at the register, with the extra change going to support a different local nonprofit each month. The funds collected make a meaningful difference for these organizations and the communities they serve.
Save on Field Day Items and Support Native Foodways
This November, get ready for gatherings with friends and family with big savings on all Field Day products at your co-op. Save on more than 270 Field Day items — from maple syrup to wild-caught tuna to paper towels — from Oct. 30 through Dec. 3. Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious food and household products at more affordable prices every day through Co+op Basics, making this savings event even more spectacular. Our lowest prices will be even lower!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honoring Native Heritage
Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It's observed on the second Monday in October, coinciding with the federal holiday of Columbus Day in the United States.
Celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Heritage
September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, diverse cultures, and rich histories of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
September Change for Good Partner: Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
At Ashland Food Co-op, our commitment to community and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. This September, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on our Change for Good partner, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (Friends of CSNM). This dedicated organization works tirelessly to protect, restore, and conserve the natural beauty of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument through service, advocacy, and education.
Stewardship in Action: Restoring Riparian Areas
August Change for Good Partner: Rogue River Watershed Council
At Ashland Food Co-op, we are dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community. Each month, our Change for Good program partners with a local organization to support their mission and amplify their impact. For August, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Rogue River Watershed Council (RRWC).
Who is the Rogue River Watershed Council?
Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month, first celebrated in 1990, commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination based on disability and ensures equal opportunities in all areas of public life. Disability Pride Month promotes visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities.
July Change for Good Partner: Peace House
Meet our July Change for Good partner - Peace House! This incredible organization has been a cornerstone of our community, dedicated to building a culture of peace through compassionate actions that support human rights and justice for all.
About Peace House
Peace House has a broad and impactful mission. Their work spans several critical areas, including:
Supporting Stream Smart: Our June Change for Good Partner
We are delighted to announce our June Change for Good partner, Stream Smart, a remarkable local organization dedicated to improving the health of our streams and rivers.
What is Stream Smart?
Co-op, Community and Coffee
We are thrilled to announce that the Ashland Food Co-op has purchased the Rogue Valley Roasting Company (RoCo) from longtime owner, Dustin Way.