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.

With all the new changes, we developed this step by step guide to attending the event.

6 Things to Know Before You Go

1. Friendly Food
Enjoy light picnic fare in a beautiful setting, Lithia Park. The tapas style meal will have you satiated and give you the freedom to mingle with other Co-op owners, play games, and/or explore the park.  On the menu we have: fruit salad, cheese, crackers, hummus, salami, corn chips, artichoke spinach dip, black olives, lemonade, and fruit popsicles. Food service starts at 11am and closes at 12pm sharp. *If you have dietary restrictions, please bring your own picnic.*

2. Bring Your Own 
At the Co-op, sustainability is a key pillar of our day to day business operations and this event is no exception.  As we strive for a zero waste event, please remember to bring your own durable plates, eating utensils, cups and reusable napkins.

3. Get Your Game On
Is your bean bag toss game top notch? Do you have mad hula hoop skills? If so, you are in luck. This year, we planned a variety of activities and games that are fun for the whole family. On the game agenda we have face painting, an egg race, hula hooping, a bean bag toss, 3-legged race, bubbles and more.

4. Play and Win
Participate in activities and games and earn tickets for the raffle. We have prizes for adults and kids, including a Magic Bullet, $100 Co-op gift card, s’mores essentials package, and much more. Rumor has it that talking to people wearing purple feather boas will also earn you raffle tickets. So many ways to win big!

5. Lunch and Learn
After food service ends, stay for the Annual Meeting portion of the picnic. Meet newly elected Board Members, hear an update on the Strategic Planning initiatives, learn about the financial health of the Co-op, and hear the key findings from our recent Owner Forums. 

6. Stay and Explore
Lithia Park is probably the most beautiful place in the world for a picnic, at least we think so. We’ll picnic under towering trees and listen to the sounds of Ashland Creek flowing by. Stroll around the park’s lovely trails or enjoy the awesome playground area before or after the event.
 

Reserve your meal tickets ($5 Adults, $1 Children 10 and under) at the Info Desk today. We hope you can join us for this family friendly party on June 25th, 11am to 1pm, at Cotton Memorial Picnic Area in Lithia Park. See you there!

 

More Co-op News

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Visit Magnolia Farms and learn more about owner Elissa Thau, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than twenty years.

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January Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Mentoring

Since 2005, Rogue Valley Mentoring (formerly the Rose Circle Mentoring Network) has trained over 500 adults who have mentored over 2,000 youth in our valley; letting young people know that they are not alone. A caring and compassionate ear shows them that they matter, and they they are experts of their own experience.

Rogue Valley Mentoring Circle

Shopping Safely & Efficiently

 

As coronavirus cases increase in Jackson County, the Co-op is taking extra precautions to protect shoppers and employees. 

To ensure social distancing in the store, the number of persons allowed in the store at once has been reduced to 50% capacity. Understandably, this may lead to a short wait outside of the store, but please be assured the line moves quickly.

In order to keep the wait as short as possible, here are a few steps you can take to help out:

10 Ways to Shine Your Light in Dark Times

By Allan Weisbard L.C.S.W.

 

Since 1963, autumn has been a difficult time for me. Two months shy of my 13th birthday I lost my younger brother to cancer, then shortly afterwards, President Kennedy was assassinated.

Masks Required for All In-Store Shoppers

To protect the health of Co-op staff and shoppers, all shoppers and other visitors on Ashland Food Co-op property must wear face coverings over mouth and nose except when dining in an approved area. As of November 11, 2020, face shields will not be permitted unless worn with a mask. 

From the Board: Co-ops Look in the Mirror

By Annie Hoy, Board Secretary and Chair of Owner Engagement Committee

Food Co-ops around the nation proudly display signage saying EVERYONE WELCOME. Or they use the slogan, “Anyone can shop. Anyone can join.” But are food co-ops, and other cooperative businesses, walking the walk? 

November/December GM Update: Overcoming Challenges

It’s probably already cliche to say “it’s been one heck of a year.” There have been challenges a-plenty for all of us, whether we’re working or shopping at the Co-op - but I’m so proud of how all of us have persevered. 

End of year wrap-up on Strategic Energy Management at the Co-op

Hi there. I hope this finds you well. It’s me, Nina Friedman, Strategic Energy Management (SEM) intern for the Ashland Food Co-op. The global and local crises have only devolved into further chaos since we last spoke. As we sit with the reality of coworkers, neighbors, and friends who’ve lost their homes and businesses to the recent fires, and thousands more across the nation losing their loved ones to COVID-19, I imagine many are feeling frozen and powerless to help those that are suffering.

SNAP in the Co-op Kitchen and Thanksgiving

Use your SNAP EBT benefits for all Co-op Kitchen items through November 20th, 2020!

Recognizing the difficulties in food preparation for families who lost their homes in the local wildfires, the State of Oregon has expanded SNAP benefits to be used for hot foods, like made-to-order and hot bar meals from the Co-op Kitchen, through November 20.

And starting on November 16, you can get an early taste of Thanksgiving as the Co-op Kitchen hot bar rolls out the full Thanksgiving spread. 

Black Lives Matter

We acknowledge that the Ashland Food Co-op has not had a culture where all employees and community members felt safe sharing their experiences of discrimination in our store. We apologize for this. We are on a learning journey. We have reached out for help, and are listening to our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) employees and owners who want to be part of the positive change we seek.

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