Report from the General Manager
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager
By now you should have received your annual Patronage Dividend check in the mail. Despite a downtick in gross sales last year, your patronage contributed to a Co-op profit again. The total patronage dividend represents approximately 1.8% of the more than $22 million in sales to owners, amounting to over $400,000. The Board of Directors has elected to distribute 40% of this dividend to owners by check and to retain the remaining 60% for future needs. The amount of dividend checks represents approximately 0.7% of owner purchases for the year 2017.
At about this time each year I hear from owners who are concerned with why the Board does not distribute 100% of the dividend. The short answer is that it is a prudent and best practice for most organizations, whether for profit or not, to retain a portion of profits for “a rainy day” and/or for future development.
We've done some research among peer food co-ops in the Western US, and learned that the vast majority do not give patronage dividends at all, either because they do not have profits or are not incorporated as true cooperatives per state or IRS statutes.
Of those co-ops that do provide patronage refunds, most choose only to distribute the 20% IRS required minimum. Ashland Food Co-op on the other hand has consistently returned 40 - 50% of dividends to owners each year. In addition to the 0.7% of owner purchases distributed, owners received an additional 1.7% in coupons and discounts on their purchases during the year.
By the way, we are excited to announce that this will be the last dividend distribution by check. Starting in 2019 dividends will be available as credit at the register. They may be applied towards purchases, and may even cashed out in most instances. Please confirm that your email address is current to receive updates regarding this and other developments.
As always, I welcome your questions at: [email protected]
More Co-op News
September Change for Good: AFC Community Fund
As we enter the beautiful month of September here in Southern Oregon, we're excited to share that our Change for Good partner this month is our very own Community Fund. As many of you know, the Community Fund allows us to support amazing local projects and organizations doing great work right here in Southern Oregon.
August Change for Good - Partnering with ACCESS to Make a Difference!
We are honored to partner with ACCESS this August - a fantastic organization that has been serving our community for over four decades. ACCESS, which stands for "A Community in Action, Connecting, Empowering, and Strengthening Self-Sufficiency," is dedicated to addressing hunger, homelessness, and poverty in Southern Oregon.
Empowering Our Community: AFC's Community Grants Now Accepting Applications
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, AFC is thrilled to announce the that we are accepting applications for our Community Grants program.
Ashland Food Co-op's Community Grants program is designed to foster meaningful change in the Southern Oregon region. Through these grants, we seek to support projects that align with our mission of promoting local and sustainable food systems, addressing food insecurity, and promoting community engagement.
July's Change for Good Partner - Maslow Project
Ashland Food Co-op is thrilled to partner with Maslow Project for our Change for Good program! Maslow Project is an incredible organization that works tirelessly to support homeless youth and families in Southern Oregon. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, and they do this through a range of services including housing assistance, medical care, and educational support.
June 2023 Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
The Ashland Food Co-op is teaming up with the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC) as its Change for Good partner for this month. This collaboration aims to support SOLC's mission of conserving Southern Oregon's natural landscapes and habitats.
Bicycle Benefits
Here at the Co-op we are on a mission to promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable practices within our community.
May 2023 Change for Good Partner: Talent Maker City
Talent Maker City's mission is to build a more connected, prosperous, and resilient community through hands-on creativity and innovative STEAM-based learning. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math.) They have a bustling Makerspace facility, brimming with creative energy in downtown Talent offering hands-on STEAM-based workshops and programming for curious minds of all ages!
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
We're always learning and growing here at the Co-op and with the approach of Cinco de Mayo we thought we would share a (very) brief history lesson and some thoughts on celebrating this holiday here in the United States.
April 2023 Change for Good Partner: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
From Kristina Lefever, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley President
March 2023 Change for Good: Klamath Bird Observatory
From Klamath Bird Observatory, March 2023's Change for Good partner:
Frederick Douglass And Co-ops in 1846
When Douglass Came to Rochdale, England a Slave and Left a Free Man
By David J Thompson
February's Change for Good partner: OHRA
OHRA helps low-income people build better lives through access to social service resources. By helping
people move from crisis to stability, OHRA builds more capable individuals, stronger families, and a
better community. We have three core programs:
January Change for Good Partner: Ashland Food Angels
December Change for Good Partner: Rogue Action Center
December's Change for Good Partner is
Rogue Action Center
%20(1).png)
The Rogue Action Center (RAC) builds organizing infrastructure, leaders, and community power for a just, inclusive, and sustainable Southern Oregon for everyone.