Staying Sustainable in A Changing World
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
In the midst of a health crisis, how can we focus on sustainability? Let’s be real - these are tough times!
What does sustainability look like now? I like to refer to the definition of sustainability - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. How can we meet the needs of the present, while keeping the future in mind?
Here are some suggestions for staying sustainable in our changing world, based on two of the Co-op’s 2030 goals, Zero Waste and Sustainable Relations.
Staying Zero Waste
Eat Fridge First
The best way to save money and reduce food waste is to shop at your local refrigerator first. An easy practice that I like to use at home is organizing the shelves. Use clear containers to store food - seeing what is in front of you can make a difference. Move that fresh produce to the front to make sure it gets eaten first! Do a weekly fridge clean-up to see what’s hiding in the back. Use a whiteboard to write down meal plans, and keep a running shopping list.
Shopping Strategies
Going to the store for groceries is an essential need - be sure to come prepared. Choose one person to shop for the whole family if you can to reduce exposure. Make a clear list, thinking of what is needed for an entire week or more. You can also order from our Deli online.
Bring sanitizer, gloves, and a mask. Sadly, we can no longer bring reusable mugs, containers, or bags inside, so leave them at home. Be prepared to wait outside if the Co-op has enacted metered entry to ensure safe social distancing.
When leaving the store, sanitize your hands before touching your car door handles. Consider cleaning your steering wheel too.
If you are an at-risk community member, our store hours are reserved for you from 7 am - 8 am every morning.
If you need help with grocery shopping or can help others, check out the City of Ashland’s Adopt A Neighbor program.
Choose Local Products
Now is a wonderful time to support local farmers and producers. Look for local cheeses like feta or fromage blanc from By George. Try out Ton Ton’s hummus on local breads from Rise Up! or the Village Baker. For a tasty and nutritious crunchy snack, Kale Yeah! chips do not disappoint! Ask a Produce clerk about which vegetables are coming in from local farms. Stock up on immune support from Herb Pharm, and make sure to wash those hands with bars of soap from Sappo Hill. You can find local products marked with our green circular “Local” marker.
Don’t forget to order from small stores when possible - before buying a book online from Amazon, call up Bloomsbury books or Powell’s. Choosing small businesses can be a lifesaver for those employees!
Clean Out Your Container Collection
Do you have a shelf hidden in the kitchen where you put all those clean glass jars that you could use for storage? Guilty as charged! Jump into spring cleaning and clear out your containers. Take time to label bulk jars, check expiration dates in the pantry, and recycle what you don’t use.
Recycle It Right
Take a moment to read about what goes in your recycling cart through Recology. Remember that recycling should be clean, dry, and free of food residue. No egg cartons, lids, soft plastic, or items contaminated with food should go into a commingle cart.
For more information, visit Recology.
If you live outside of Ashland or Talent, contact Rogue Disposal.
Start A Victory Garden
April is the best time to start a garden to grow your own food. Plant starts like kale, lettuce, beets, cilantro, sugar snap peas, carrots, and so much more are ready to go outside! You can find a variety of vegetable starts from local nurseries outside of the Co-op entrance.
Maintaining Sustainable Relationships
Stay Connected
There’s never been a better time to call up friends and family, whether they’re across town or a few states away. A one-on-one conversation can be the perfect remedy to feeling down or overwhelmed. Use online apps to have a video chat, or create a group text with friends. It can be heartwarming to see photos of pets, garden projects, or hear about a book someone is reading. Even sharing frustrations can be affirming - it’s helpful to know other people out there are also having rough days.
Say Hello To Your Neighbors (From A Distance!)
If you’re sheltering at home, most likely your neighbors are too! Welcome those serendipitous moments when checking the mailbox or walking the dog. Say hello and ask how they are doing. Check to see if your area has a Nextdoor neighborhood hub at www.NextDoor.com.
Take 10 And Meditate
The most important person to stay connected to is yourself! Give yourself the gift of time, and take ten minutes for a quiet moment. A meditation can be as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing, or putting attention on your heart.
Focus On Gratitude
Find three things to be grateful for each day. Here’s one - I’m glad that I have toilet paper at my house! Gratitude doesn’t have to be extravagant, just noticed. Be mindful of blooming flowers, laughter, and sunshine. Let yourself enjoy a comedy special, take a nap, or blast some music for a dance break.
More Co-op News
10 Ways to Enjoy: Ginger Spread
Sometimes you might come across a product at the Co-op and ask, "That looks good, but how in the heck can I use it in my cooking?" To answer that question, we picked this Ginger Spread made by The Ginger People (famous for their Gin-Gin candies). Grab a jar and try some of these unique applications in your own kitchen - or get inspired to utilize it in another way.
Meet Your Board: Melina Barker
Hello, Co-op members! My name is Melina Barker, and I joined the AFC Board of Directors this July. Since then, I have been busy learning about all the work the previous members have done to craft strategic goals to support the success of the AFC.
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Smart Chicken® Holiday Giving in 2019
During the month of November, Co-op shoppers can nourish their own families and help fight hunger in the Rogue Valley.
Over the years, Smart Chicken® and Ashland Food Co-op have teamed up to donate thousands of pounds of chicken to ACCESS. Smart Chicken® will once again donate Smart Chicken® products based on the total volume that shoppers purchase at Ashland Food Co-op to ACCESS.
Henry in the Garden: Already Preparing for the Spring
The bane of all gardeners is powdery mildew - that white substance that collects both on the tops and bottoms of the leaves of your healthiest vegetable plants. Cucumbers and zucchini seem to be more easily affected by this scourge than many others.
GM Report: Gratitude for a Great 2019 at the Co-op
It’s the season of gratitude and reflection on the year that has passed, and there is so much to be thankful for as a Co-op owner.
2019 started off with the news that over $13,000 in emergency donations had been raised from Co-op owners and shoppers for support and relief efforts after Paradise, CA was leveled by a wildfire. This outpouring of our support was critical in the months after the fire, after the news trucks had left and the work of rebuilding began. I know how grateful we all are for the much calmer smoke season that our region experienced this summer.
Rounding Up in October
Part of what makes co-ops unique are the guiding 7 Principles of Cooperation. One of the seven that is felt strongly in Ashland is "Concern for the community" - and that's why the Co-op is offering a new way to give back to our community for the month of October. When you pay at the register, you can round up your total to the nearest dollar. For example, $11.68 becomes $12, and $0.32 is donated.
Win 2 tickets to "Chicken Done Simply" cooking class
Find out how fun and educational Co-op cooking classes are! Sign up below for the chance to win two free seats (for you and a friend or loved one) at the next class, "Chicken Done Simply" with the Co-op's own Michelle Guerrie.
Fall Staff Picks
Thanks to alpine trails and shaded valley creeks, outdoor recreation is year-round in the Rogue Valley. But fall usually makes for more frisky feet, so we asked Co-op employees for their favorite fall activities and recommendations for what they grab before they head out.
Applegate products joining Co-op Basics
Just in time for the school year, Applegate products are being added to the Co-op Basics program! The Co-op carries a variety of Applegate products, like sliced deli meat, cheeses, bacon, and sausages. Now as part of the Co-op Basics program, you’ll be saving up to $2 on Applegate products across the store, every day.
2019 Farm Tour Recap
Another successful farm tour is in the books! With 30 farms this year, visitors could see how bigger farms work, like Herb Pharm, Fry Family Farm, and Rogue Creamery, while also experiencing the joys of smaller farms, such as Turning Point Farm, Fox Run Farm, and Daily Blessing Farm.
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Visitors of all ages enjoying Goodwin Creek Gardens
AFC Celebrates 20 Years with Magnolia Farms
This year, the Ashland Food Co-op proudly celebrates their 20 year partnership with Magnolia Farms. Their pasture raised, no antibiotics, no hormones lamb is a staple in the Co-op Meat Department. Magnolia Farms is graciously donating the lamb for our August First Friday in celebration of our long standing partnership.
Compostable Bags
The Co-op has been asked if compostable plastic bags are a viable alternative to the standard plastic bags offered in the produce and meat departments.
For several reasons, compostable bags are not in line with the Co-op’s goals and standards.
Not compostable at home
Sustainability Update: Energy efficiency and zero waste
Energy Efficiency
We are happy to announce that we are a member of the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management program. This is a free program available to customers of Avista and Pacific Power, which offers awesome incentives including a paid internship!
Community Grant Recipients 2019
The Ashland Food Co-op donated over $29,000 to 28 local nonprofit organizations through their Community Grant Program.
The Community Grant program is the focus of one of the fundamental Cooperative Principles, which all cooperative enterprises follow. Our Community Grant Program supports Principle 7, Concern for Community.
Meet the 2019 Board of Directors
Congratulations to Annie Hoy, Melina Barker, Lisa Beam, and Steve Bowman for their election to the Board of Directors! We were delighted to have such a strong slate of candidates to fill our four vacancies. You can read more about each new director here.