The holiday season is upon us. Amidst the shopping frenzies, family gatherings, and parties it can be hard to remember this is also a season of giving. That’s why we want to make it easy for you to give back. So easy that it’s as simple as doing your everyday grocery shopping. You can nourish your own family and help fight hunger in the Rogue Valley.

For the month of November, we are once again teaming up with Smart Chicken® for the Smart Chicken® Smart Giving program.

Here’s how it works.

• For every 10 pounds of Smart Chicken® you purchase from the Meat Department or the Deli, Smart Chicken® will donate one pound of chicken to a local food bank.

Last year, Smart Chicken® donated over 1,700 pounds of chicken to ACCESS, Inc. ACCESS distributed the chicken through their food share program, providing emergency food boxes to hungry families and individuals in Jackson County through a network of over 24 food pantries. This kind of past support of the Smart Giving Program has made us one of the top ranking West Coast single store in sales during the promotion. The more you buy, the more Smart Chicken® will donate.

Smart Chicken® has a wide range of fresh chicken products. The company was the first in the U.S. to use air-chill technology, and offers products that are both Certified Organic and Certified Humane.

Not a fan of chicken or a meat eater? No problem. There are many ways to give at the Co-op. Every time you check out at the register, you have the opportunity to donate any dollar amount to ACCESS, the American Red Cross, Ashland Food Bank, or Ashland Schools Foundation. It’s as simple as telling the cashier the amount and which organization you’d like to donate to.

Whether you’re stocking up on chicken or donating a dollar at the register, we thank you for your giving spirit this holiday season. Happy holidays from our Co-op family to yours!