A statement from the Board of Directors on racial justice
Dear Ashland Food Cooperative Family and Community,
We, like many of you, have been grieving over the senseless murders of Black Americans because of the color of their skin. This is a time to be clear, strong and vocal about what we stand for both as an organization and as a vital member of the Ashland and Rogue Valley communities. Cooperatives are founded on a clear set of principles that set us apart from businesses whose goal is simply to make a profit. We have a deep commitment to the health and well being of the community we serve, and we strive to achieve that with the food and nourishment we provide. We know that we cannot achieve food justice if we're not willing to do racial justice work. What has become clear in recent days is that there is an underlying disease in our society that is not addressed by simply offering healthy food through a democratically operated organization that partners with local producers, offers classes on healthy practices, and provides grants to local food and social justice organizations. The implicit racism infecting our society that has been so starkly exposed must be addressed.
As an organization we state strongly that we stand in support and solidarity with all those who experience threats and violence because of their skin color, appearance or other attributes that create discrimination. We condemn all racism, police brutality and all forms of systemic and structural white supremacy. We also support those in elected office and public service who are working to create a truly just and compassionate justice system.
We acknowledge white privilege and commit to examining our own implicit biases, and to asking what we can do as an organization to make a difference. Whether it be as basic as how people of color feel treated when they shop with us, or as challenging as how to impact a food production and supply network that depends to a significant extent on underprivileged or disenfranchised workers, we will explore what we can do better. And we will do that with the full engagement of our staff and owners.
As a public statement of commitment we are donating $2500 to the Rogue Action Center in support of its social justice initiatives. We encourage everyone to find a way to contribute that you believe can make a difference.
We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and support in this endeavor!
Ashland Food Cooperative Board of Directors
Ed Claassen, Julie O’Dwyer, Trine Ostergaard, Charlie Douglas,
Melina Barker, Lisa Beam, Steve Bowman, Annie Hoy
More Co-op News
Vendors & businesses donating to relief efforts
From day one of the Almeda Fires, the Co-op team wanted to help the community. They reached out to vendors across the region and country to ask for their help with products, supplies and food to get to the fire victims.
And that help came through in big ways, getting nutritious food to displaced families, home supplies in high demand, and wellness and food for first responders and firefighters. Thank you for supporting these businesses as thanks for their help in our community's relief efforts.
October news at the Co-op
October is typically Co-op month, to highlight how differently cooperatives do business. But instead of talking about the 7 Cooperative Principles, or the ownership benefits of being part of the Co-op, we only need to look at the past four weeks to see what being a cooperative really means.
As part of the co-op family, you've helped the entire community immensely.
Lecture recording: "Nutrition for autism and related conditions"
Lisa Shelton, BioIndividual Nutrition Practitioner & Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, put together this recording to discuss nutrition for autism and related conditions including, ADHD, anxiety, and learning disorders as well as strategies for picky eating.
Click here to watch the lecture at your convenience.
Password: p!=Fw6R7
Support Co-op staff to rebuild
The Ashland Food Co-op is dedicated to helping our community and our staff rebuild after the Almeda Fires in early September.
For immediate support, the Co-op gave $1,000 to staff who lost their homes in the fires, as well as $250 for food and other household needs for anyone displaced due to a level 3 evacuation order.
Change for Good in September: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
For the month of September, Ashland Food Co-op shoppers can round up at the register to support Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. Since 1973, SOLC has been working on multiple fronts to improve land quality and conservation for humans and nature alike. Check out some of the projects below that SOLC has been working on recently. And mark your calendar for Saturday, October 24, as SOLC hosts an Open Lands Day hike and tour on the Rogue River Preserve.
Free Monday Night Lecture - Some Cool Science about Breathing
Join Kelly Martin as she explains how your breath impacts everything from ankle sprains to headaches. Learn why belly breathing isn't good for you, how to breathe correctly, and how to maximize lung health, improve posture, enhance walking efficiency, reduce anxiety, and improve sports performance.
Access the Zoom recording here.
Zoom access password: 2zu@KQWU
Chatting about community giving with JPR's "Jefferson Exchange"
Recently, Julie O'Dwyer, Ashland Food Co-op board vice-president, joined a panel of guests on Jefferson Public Radio's "Jefferson Exchange" to discuss how the pandemic has led to an even greater need for community giving and support of local non-profits.
Change for Good in August: KS Wild
This month's featured organization in the new Change for Good register round-up program is KS Wild (short for Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center).
.jpg)
Get to know Ashland Emergency Food Bank
The sixth cooperative principle, "Concern for Community," has become even more important since the pandemic began and economies, locally and globally, started to constrict. To address this, the Board of Directors agreed in April to release 100% of patronage dividends and designate Ashland Emergency Food Bank as a donation option for those dividends - resulting in over $20,000 in donations. And with the early launch of Change for Good register round-up, AEFB was a natural choice to receive round-up donations.
July / August GM Update: Walking the Walk
I wrote at the beginning of the year that the Co-op model of business was a blueprint for the future. The concept of “planet, principles and people before profit” is a guide for how cooperatives can run a successful business that puts more back into the community and local economy than national chains, while using less resources and creating less waste.
2020 Co-op Election Results
2020 Co-op Election Results
Ashland Food Co-op owners voted for three open seats on the Board of Directors, and for ten non-profit organizations for the Change for Good register round-up program.
Click a name below to read more about that Co-op Board member.
Co-op Owners Step-Up to Support the Ashland Emergency Food Bank!
AFC and AEFB Press Release - Local Strength!
Release Date: 5-26-2020
In April, the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors announced to the community that the Co-op would be returning 100% of the 2019 Patronage Dividend to its owners. The 100% Patronage Dividend return to Co-op owners converted to over $628,000.
The Co-op Board felt in this time of great need it was not the right time for the Co-op to put away funds for the future, but rather to support owners fully so they may have more strength to weather these stormy times.
Free Monday Night Lectures - virtual and recorded
Thanks to the many agile and adaptable experts in the Rogue Valley, the much-loved Free Monday Night Lectures live on - even if everything is moving online.
While we miss seeing community members with a joy of learning showing up at the Co-op Classroom, we hope these recordings teach and inspire you.
An update on Strategic Energy Management at the Co-op
By Nina Friedman, Strategic Energy Management intern