Report from the General Manager and Board of Directors
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager and Ed Claassen, Board President
We are excited to announce that in April the Ashland Food Cooperative entered into a contract to purchase a 1.8 acre undeveloped lot at 120 Clear Creek Drive in Ashland. The parcel is located directly behind Ashland Lumber and is about one block as the crow flies (across the railroad tracks), or about a third of a mile via Oak Street from the Store. This purchase is a major step in the Co-op’s vision for growing its downtown presence and is an early step in a more extensive design process that will involve representatives for all the key stakeholders and will include all of our facilities. Our intention is to retain existing facilities and explore how they can best be used given their close proximity to Ashland's vibrant downtown.
For a number of years, the Co-op has been actively engaged in exploring solutions to address limited store capacity and parking. We considered properties outside the downtown core for a second store and decided the best way we can serve our owners is to expand our space and offerings in downtown Ashland.
We believe this property has the potential to address future needs. The scarcity of lots this large in the downtown core makes it an attractive investment for the future.
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By purchasing this property we have secured our option to develop it in the future, as we continue to explore the best way to meet the needs of our shoppers. Our goal is to have a store that is a delight to shop in, where you can get the food you love and trust, and where you can explore and learn more about healthy food and its preparation.
The zoning of this property will allow the Co-op to develop not only a larger store, with significant parking, but potentially workforce and/or cooperative housing on the site.
We welcome your questions and suggestions at AFCCampus@ashlandfood.coop.
More Co-op News
Community Cider Backyard Fruit Drive
How often can you browse the shelf at your neighborhood grocery store, see a bottle of hand crafted, local cider and say, “Hey, I help make that!” Well, at the Co-op you can.
2018 Board Election Results
The AFC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Board Election. There were three excellent candidates running for two Board positions. In total, 905 votes were cast.
Congratulations to the following candidates who will serve three-year terms on the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors.
Thank you for voting!
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Meet Store Manager Barry Haynes
By Barry Haynes, Store Manager
Twenty three years ago my wife and I began our quest to relocate our family from the midwest to the west coast. We were looking for a beautiful area with an engaged community that would enable our children to thrive. Equally important, we wanted our new home to have a vibrant natural food store. When we arrived in southern Oregon, we felt as though we hit the jackpot.
Beat the Heat
When the heat of summer takes over, it can be hard on our bodies and moods. Don’t let the scorching temps get you down, cool off with one of these refreshing Staff recommendations.
Report from the Board of Directors: Strategic Plan Update
By Jeff Golden, External Relations Committee Chair
Ashland Food Co-op is striding into the future with careful intention. We’re especially focused on the three top priorities of our strategic planning process, a collaboration of our board and management team. A quick update:
Riding off into the Sunset
By Annie Hoy, Retiring Marketing Manager
Since I was born and raised in far West Texas, I cannot help but use some imagery from what is so familiar to me.
Ashland Food Co-op Signs Contract to Purchase Property
The Ashland Food Co-op expects to soon complete the purchase of an undeveloped lot at 120 Clear Creek Drive in Ashland. The parcel is located directly behind Ashland Lumber. This purchase is a major step in the Co-op’s vision for growing its downtown presence.
Staff Picks: Summer Hikes and Trail Snacks
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Be a Zero Waste Hero in Four Easy Steps
By Stephanie Koerella, Education Coordinator
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By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator
Forty six years ago, a group of families formed a buying club to access sustainable, local organic food as an alternative to modern industrial agriculture. This humble foundation of social and environmental responsibility started the Ashland Food Co-op and has shaped every decision we’ve ever made. It’s how, over four decades later, that a small buying club became a 30 million dollar, 17,500 square foot Certified Organic Retailer diverting 82% of their discards from the landfill.
Staff Picks: Earth Friendly Products
In celebration of Sustainability Month in April, we asked our Sustainability Committee to share their favorite eco-friendly product.
2018 Kids Summer Camps
We’ve teamed up with Rogue Valley Farm to School to offer three different camps this summer. 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 soul. Join Rogue Valley Farm to School staff as they cultivate the ability to grow and cook delicious, healthy, seasonal meals. Monday - Wednesday at the Co-op Community Classroom, Thursday & Friday at the Farm at SOU.