We Love Local

We take pride in supporting local farmers, producers, vendors and vintners. When we say local, we mean local. At some grocery stores, the word local gets thrown around like the word “natural,” ambiguously and with a broad definition.

But local means something to us. A definition we take meticulous pride in.

Local adjective
Any food or product grown, produced or made within 200 miles.

Let’s use it in a sentence. The Ashland Food Co-op supports an average of 250 local companies.

We carry local fruits, veggies, meat, beer, wine, vitamins and more. In fact, 25% of our total sales come from selling local products. With all the abundance the Rogue Valley has to offer, it's easy to love local, especially this time of year.

Join us during Thrive’s Eat Local Celebration to feast on farm-fresh produce, handcrafted products and world class beer and wine. From September 9th - 25th, we’ll feature local-centric deli specials, in-store promotions and meet the maker demos. For a full Tasting Kiosk schedule, visit our calendar of events.

Beyond the Co-op, there are many opportunities to local love during Thrive’s Eat Local Celebration. Get out and explore!

Salsa Festival and Showdown at the Medford Food Co-op
Join Thrive, the Medford Food Co-op, Caminos and La Clinica at a Salsa Festival & Showdown, a day celebrating Latino culture, healthy living, and local foods. Entertainment, food trucks, recipe demonstrations, kids activities, salsa sampling & a salsa-making competition all round out the fun. Free!

Harvest Dinner on Oak Street
Join Standing Stone Brewery Co. for a special evening dining under the stars. This community event benefiting Rogue Valley Farm to School features some of the best chefs in the Rogue Valley collaborating to create a meal celebrating the local farms and the bounty of our region. Local craft beer, wine, and cider will be poured along with live music from The Brothers Reed.

Don’t forget to get your Explore the Rogue Valley Passport stamped if you eat at the Deli or attend one of our in store tastings. You can pick up a passport at the Co-op or any other Eat Local week participating business. Attend a minimum of three Eat Local Celebration events and be entered to win $100 gift certificate to the CSA or growers market of your choice. For more information and a complete list of Thrive’s Eat Local Celebration events visit buylocalbuyrogue.com.

 

More Co-op News

Ashland Food Co-op's December Change for Good Partner: Rogue Action Center

This December, Ashland Food Co-op is proud to partner with Rogue Action Center (RAC) as part of their Change for Good initiative. RAC is dedicated to cultivating organizing power and leadership to create a more just and thriving Southern Oregon. Their mission focuses on building community power for Housing Justice, Racial Justice, and Queer & Trans Liberation. They achieve this through a combination of base building, youth-centered leadership development, coalition building, and advocacy campaigns aimed at transforming societal rules.

Our November Change for Good Partner: SOESD Indian Education Fund

Each month, the Ashland Food Co-op partners with a local nonprofit through our Change for Good program. This November, we are proud to feature the important work of the Southern Oregon Indian Education Department (SOESD) Indian Education Fund.

The Change for Good program allows our shoppers to round up their total at the register, with the extra change going to support a different local nonprofit each month. The funds collected make a meaningful difference for these organizations and the communities they serve.

Save on Field Day Items and Support Native Foodways

This November, get ready for gatherings with friends and family with big savings on all Field Day products at your co-op. Save on more than 270 Field Day items — from maple syrup to wild-caught tuna to paper towels — from Oct. 30 through Dec. 3. Field Day is our value brand that offers high-quality, delicious food and household products at more affordable prices every day through Co+op Basics, making this savings event even more spectacular. Our lowest prices will be even lower! 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honoring Native Heritage

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It's observed on the second Monday in October, coinciding with the federal holiday of Columbus Day in the United States.

Celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Heritage

September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions, diverse cultures, and rich histories of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

September Change for Good Partner: Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

At Ashland Food Co-op, our commitment to community and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. This September, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on our Change for Good partner, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (Friends of CSNM). This dedicated organization works tirelessly to protect, restore, and conserve the natural beauty of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument through service, advocacy, and education.

Stewardship in Action: Restoring Riparian Areas

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month, first celebrated in 1990, commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination based on disability and ensures equal opportunities in all areas of public life. Disability Pride Month promotes visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities.

July Change for Good Partner: Peace House

Meet our July Change for Good partner - Peace House! This incredible organization has been a cornerstone of our community, dedicated to building a culture of peace through compassionate actions that support human rights and justice for all.

About Peace House

Peace House has a broad and impactful mission. Their work spans several critical areas, including:

Co-op, Community and Coffee

We are thrilled to announce that the Ashland Food Co-op has purchased the Rogue Valley Roasting Company (RoCo) from longtime owner, Dustin Way.

A Closer Look at Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo has become synonymous with festivities and delicious Mexican cuisine (and who doesn’t love both of those things?). At the Ashland Food Co-op, it's important for us to approach this celebration mindfully and with a cultural understanding.