September Change for Good Partner: Truth to Power
September's Change for Good Partner is
Truth to Power
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Truth to Power cultivates teen activism and community participation through social justice podcasts and transformative projects.
Podcasts
Truth to Power creates podcasts reflecting on both local and global matters. Found under the name “Tea, Toast, and Truth” on Spotify and Anchor, Truth to Power’s podcasts uplift diverse voices and offer a teen point of view. Each podcast is distinct in style and topic as different club members experiment and explore with their production. You can listen to the experiences of houseless folks in Ashland, learn about how the Almeda fire affected all the parts of our community, explore the symbiotic relationship between OSF and Ashland, hear teens and teachers discuss the troubles of Zoom school, and much more!
Mural
Truth to power creates transformative projects that cultivate community growth. One of our major projects this past year was the BIPOC mural that was installed to honor and celebrate the life of Aidan Ellison and highlight the many contributions of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC) in our Valley. The mural is composed of portraits of eight BIPOC individuals whose legacies hold importance to our local community: Winona LaDuke, Walidah Imarisha, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Agnes Baker Pilgrim, Michelle Alexander, Gina DuQuenne, Lawson Fusao Inada, and Aidan Ellison. We had a vision for the mural to not only honor these influential individuals but also to remind Ashland of its antiracist responsibilities and to create a more inviting, inclusive space for BIPOC students, staff, visitors, and neighbors.
Supply drives and houseless podcast/work
Truth to Power prides itself on a passion for hearing and helping others. The club has consistently worked to aid the homeless community, addressing the issues we see in our city by organizing supply drives and food drives (often jointly), and hearing from those affected. Members have dedicated their time and efforts to making the homeless crisis known; you can listen to Tea, Toast, and Truth’s episode: “Seeing Homeless” on Spotify for interviews with homeless individuals, new perspective, and info on how those in need are often disproportionately affected by issues and decisions in our small town.
Upcoming events
Stay tuned for their reproductive justice event on October 1st and new podcasts throughout the year!
Follow Truth to Power on Social and listen to their podcasts!
Instagram: @ahstruthtopowerclub
Facebook: @ahstruthtopowerclub
Podcasts are available on Spotify and Anchor : "Tea, Toast, and Truth".
Truth to Power was selected by our owners in our 2022 election to be a Change for Good Partner. Through the cumulative register round up donations over the course of this month ~ our shoppers will help support this local organization and the work that they are doing in our community.
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
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.
Report from the General Manager and Board of Directors
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager and Ed Claassen, Board President
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
Our staff loves to head outside and enjoy the gorgeous Oregon outdoors. Here's a few of their favorite trails and the Co-op snacks they like to take with them.
Be a Zero Waste Hero in Four Easy Steps
By Stephanie Koerella, Education Coordinator
Reducing our waste has continued to be of greater concern for Rogue Valley residents, especially since January, when options for recycling became even more limited. While the Ashland Food Co-op is ramping up our efforts to reduce waste as a business, there is a lot that our community can do at home to help the cause.
On the Road to Sustainability
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.