October Change for Good Partner: AFC Gives Community Fund
October's Change for Good Partner is
AFC Gives is the philanthropic arm of the Ashland Food Co-op. Nothing means more to us than contributing to the health and strength of our community. To build upon this mission we have developed two funding programs to support the good work that is happening in our community:
Change for Good and Community Grants.
Our Community Grants program has given back to our local nonprofits’ projects for more than two decades, supporting grassroots programs, giving support for small projects, and having funds on hand to respond to emergency issues in our region.
Each year, the Ashland Food Co-op's Board of Directors designates a small percentage of sales from the previous year to fund AFC's Community Grants program. As you shop during the month of October, we invite you to round up your bill to add to the pool AFC Gives will donate next year to fund worthy projects in our community.
These funds support local projects that align with our vision of enhancing health and enriching the community while promoting our mission to provide education about food, nutrition, and health. These local organizations are the heartbeat of our community, and we are proud to contribute these grants to assist in funding projects that are either already in the works or ready to get funded.
Our Community Grants Application is open until 9 PM on October 13th, 2021.
In 2020, we proudly donated over $24,000 to 27 area nonprofit organizations doing excellent work within our community.
Organizations' Projects funded by 2020 Community Grants:
Applegate Neighborhood Network
“The funding provided by the Ashland Food Coop Gives Grant Program was utilized by Applegate Neighborhood Network to purchase nursery stock from Applegate Valley based native plant nursery and seed company, Klamath-Siskiyou Native Seeds. A small group of volunteers worked within existing COVID 19 restrictions to facilitate the planting of 257 native flowering plants (14 separate species) and the seeding of 15 native species beneficial to native pollinators in the Applegate River watershed. The funding from AFC was utilized to buy native nursery stock and the native seed was donated by Klamath-Siskiyou Native Seeds. The planting took place on November 19, 2020.”
Armadillo Technical Institute
Culture of Peace Commissions
Ashland Supportive Housing and Community Outreach
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Bee Girl
“The Regenerative Bee Pasture project aims to develop a data-driven low maintenance, nutrient-dense, and inexpensive flower-rich pasture system for pasture managers to create an environmentally and economically improved landscape for livestock and bees.”
Bellview Grange
“Despite the pandemic, Bellview Grange was able to complete soil preparation, fencing, and move two inappropriate volunteer pine trees from the site of the small Food Forest at Bellview Grange, between the Grange Hall and Bellview Elementary School. Although we were not able to complete the outreach to schools and homeowners associations as planned, Grange members participated in the development of Southern Oregon Food Solutions' food waste reduction brochure , and maintained liaison with Emerging Futures Network and the regional Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District, in preparation for continuing the planned food forest, rain garden and bio-swale areas around the Grange Hall, once it is safe to meet in person.”
Cave Junction Farmers' Market
“Our AFC Gives grant helped to provide sustainable farming "take home" projects for our Cultivate Kids Program. We were able to provide 26 different projects, from "growing your own pickles" (providing free plants, instructions for growing and pickle recipes) to "planting for pollinators" and materials to make a flower press, and provided enough materials for 30 kids each week over the course of the market season.”
Cultivate Oregon
“When COVID-19 shut down schools, emptied grocery store shelves and sparked a nation-wide run on seeds, Cultivate Oregon saw an emerging need and adapted to help provide seeds for the growing season. Through Cultivate Oregon's program, Seeds to the People, we sent reclaimed and donated seeds to over 50 families across Oregon who were food insecure, and in need. Ashland Food Coop funding was the primary reason we were able to launch and run this program (quickly) so that families were mailed seeds to help them grow their own food, and increase their food security into the future.”
Raptor Creek Farm operated by The Josephine County Food Bank
“The AFC grant allowed us to purchase mulch and compost for the 16 raised bed and each bed is freshly filled, ready for the growing season. It had been 5 years since the last time the beds had been filled. An AmeriCorps team joined us this season and pulled out the weeds around the fence and now 4" of bark mulch surrounds each bed. Members of the community garden are thrilled.”
Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon
Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland and Options for Helping Residents of Ashland
“The AFC grant helped us purchase essential items and services for unhoused and other people impacted by the pandemic. Examples include birth certificates or ID cards, documents needed for work such as a state issued food handlers card or specific tools needed for employment or clothing like non-slip shoes.”
Outdoor Discovery Program Parent Advisory Committee (ODP PAC)
Phoenix Counseling Center, Inc.
Siskiyou Mountain Club
“We used funds for paying field staff who were working on the Rogue River Trail. They were leading interns to reduce erosion and maintain vegetation on the rugged slopes of this popular National Recreation Trail. They were able to restore approximately 10 miles of the trail.”
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now - SOCAN
Southern Oregon University Foundation
St. Vincent de Paul
“Our AFC grant enabled us to assist those who called on us in three ways: helping people into housing by assisting with rental deposits; helping those in need stay housed by assisting with rent payments (especially important during this pandemic when so many service workers have been unemployed); and assisting needy families with utility payments during these cold winter months.”
Vesper Meadow Education Program
“Support from AFC went towards establishing our Native Food Plant Program through (1) the engagement with youth for education about native plants, (2) volunteer stewardship activities with members of the local public, and (3) initial partnership development with Tribes of record in SW Oregon. Thank you AFC!”
Medford School District Armadillo
The Parker House Project
HIV Alliance
“HIV Alliance used Ashland Food Co-Op funds to purchase nutritious food (e.g., holiday dinners, food bags) for approximately 30 Jackson County clients living with HIV who are unhoused and living on low incomes. This assistance was urgently needed and so helpful for our clients during COVID-19, when they have experienced increased barriers to services and other serious challenges that affect their ability to meet basic nutrition needs.”
White Oak Farm & Education Center
Ashland Community Hospital Foundation
Ashland Emergency Food Bank
“The Ashland Emergency Food Bank was able to provide a complete basket of healthy food to struggling families & individuals in our area. We served 1600 people per month at the Food Bank. Funding from the Ashland Food Co-op helped to feed the food-insecure in our community, including victims of the fire and those affected by the pandemic’s consequences.”
Helman Elementary School PTA
“The 2020-2021 school year has been unlike any other. With the pandemic, distance learning, and the first-day-of-school wildfire, we had a lot of families experiencing terrible emotional and financial stress. Helman Elementary School's PTA has provided weekend food backpacks for as many as 17 different households every Friday throughout the school year and we could not have done it without the support of the $1,000 AFC Gives grant we received. Thank you so much for your support of these families and for recognizing that healthy food equals healthy communities!”
Southern Oregon ESD - Migrant Education Program
The AFC Gives committee focuses on ways that the Co-op community can support local organizations and groups doing important work in the Rogue Valley.
2020 was the first year of Change for Good, a register round-up program to benefit a slate of ten organizations, voted on by Co-op owners, through the cumulative donations of shoppers choosing to round-up their shopping total to the nearest dollar.
From one cent to 99 cents, it all adds up to feeling good about supporting the community.
More Co-op News
5 Things You Didn't Know the Co-op Carries for Cold, Flu & Immune Protection
- Wishgarden Herbs - Kick Ass Immune: Your total frontline immune defense!
- Oshala Farm - Oshala Fire Cider: Locally made in the Applegate. It tastes so good you could craft a healthy dressing with this fire cider!
- Mickelberry Gardens - Elderberry: Great Immune support for kids and adults. Made in Oregon.
Choose To Reuse
by Rianna Koppel, Co-op Sustainability Coordinator
At the Ashland Food Co-op, we are committed to becoming Zero Waste by 2030. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about packaging and single-use at our store. Our owners care deeply about reducing plastic waste, and we do too!
Reusable Bags
At the co-op, we have many different bag options… So what's the best choice?
Lisa Beam: Why I'm a Board Member
Why serve on the Board of Directors at the Ashland Food Coop? This was the question that I was faced with about a year ago.
I have lived, worked and shopped in Ashland for the last 20 years. Many of those years I have actively participated on non-profit boards, civic organizations and committees. However, in the last few years I stepped away from those responsibilities to focus on family and business life.
Henry in the Garden: The Pollinator Plan
By Henry Herting, Co-op garden volunteer
It's that fun time of the year when we get to plan our gardens. This year since our pollinators are taking such a hard hit, we are planning a pollinator garden.
Some plants that are considered good for pollinators are not so good fo the gardeners. They are invasive; they are weeds. Nobody likes weeds in their garden - who likes getting down on their knee pads and clawing at deep-rooted weeds growing in places where you don't want them?
Rogue To Go at the Co-op
We are excited to announce the official launch of Rogue To Go at the Ashland Food Co-op!
Rogue To Go is a reusable container pilot program. The pilot connects five participating restaurants by offering a reusable container that can be used for meals to-go and help eliminate single-use boxes. These O2GO containers are made locally in Bend, Oregon by OZZI. The bright green containers are 100% recyclable through a specialty recycler - truly zero waste!
How can you start using Rogue To Go? Check out the steps below and follow along with a walk-through video.
Apply for an AFC Gives community grant
For over 25 years, the Ashland Food Co-op has been re-investing in the local community by awarding grants to non-profit organizations doing important work in the Rogue Valley. Putting the seventh cooperative principle, "concern for community," into action, over $30,000 was donated in 2019 - and in 2020, there are even more opportunities for non-profits.
The Co-op is getting a refresh
We are giving our store a much-needed fresh coat of paint. We think you'll enjoy the changes!
When
The painting team will begin our project on February 5th, 2020 with a start time of 9pm.
Where
The entire retail store, deli serving area and interior seating area will receive a fresh new coat of paint.
Timeline
If all goes as planned, our painting project should be finished by February 20.
Will Store Hours Change?
No. We will be painting from 9pm to 5am.
Explore citrus!
Looking to explore some new citrus varieties? Know more before you go! Check out the many types of sweet, sour and somewhere in between that you can enjoy at the Co-op! (Availability may vary due to seasonality.)
Taste for Life winter wellness giveaway
It's a month of giveaways from Taste for Life!
Giveaway #1 has finished up - so it's time for #2! This giveaway runs 1/27-2/2, so sign up below.
This package includes: NOW's Sabucus Zinc-C lozenges, Mushroom Wisdom's SX-Fraction, Bluebonnet's Stress Release formula, ChildLife's First Defense immune formula, Vitafusion's Organic Women's Multi vitamin, Quantum Health's Eye Health supplement, Kyo-Green Sprouts Blend digestion supplement, Solgar's full spectrum Curcumin supplement, and Solgar's No. 7 joint comfort supplement.
Rogue Co-ops College Scholarship
As part of the Rogue Co-ops, a group of Rogue Valley cooperative businesses that includes Ashland Food Co-op, Grange Co-op, Medford Food Co-op, and Rogue Credit Union, we're excited to offer a scholarship opportunity to local high school students planning on attending college.
The Rogue Co-ops have collectively funded a $2,000 scholarship (and Grange Co-op offers an additional eight $1,500 scholarships) for students (in public, private or home school settings) who meet the following requirements:
Become an Owner-Volunteer with the AFC Board
The AFC Board of Directors is looking for owner-volunteers for three board committees: the Owner Engagement Committee (OEC), Board Development Committee (BDC), and AFC Gives Committee.
Sustainability Update: Building on a Strong Foundation
Sustainability Update
Our team has been working on many different projects throughout the year, taking great steps to fulfill our four sustainability goals. Our four goals to achieve by 2030 are: carbon neutrality, zero waste, eliminating toxic chemicals, and being a leader in our sustainable community. We look forward to our sustainable success in the upcoming decade!
2020: A vision for the future through Co-ops and local food
As the 2010s come to a close, the “20/20” eyesight analogy couldn’t be more appropriate for the new decade. With our eye on the future, there’s clearly a sense of urgency and awareness of the unique times we’re living in: a changing climate, increases in costs of living, and the shared pressures of a globalized world.
5 Items to Try: Spreads, Condiments & Snacks
It's fun trying new things! Here are five items you can find at the Co-op with a distinctly international flavor. Whether you're spreading them on some bread or naan, mixing up a salad dressing, or just want something salty and crunchy to snack on, try these out next time you want to elevate your dishes.