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.
That gratitude carried through summer and into fall at the Co-op’s First Friday parties. I enjoyed seeing many of you shoppers, neighbors, and friends - and in October, it was a pleasure to serve many of you our fantastic house-made bratwurst and butternut lasagna. Both owners and employees agreed that it was fun to let loose, eat, and even dance! What other grocery stores throw parties where you just get to hang out with friends?
Part of the Co-op’s mission is to “promote awareness about food” which includes how it’s grown, where it’s grown, and who grows it. With so many local farms on the shelves of the Co-op, the annual Farm Tour continues to be the perfect way to connect our owners with our food producers. This year’s Farm Tour had 30 farms welcoming visitors, and around 1,500 guests joined tours and enjoyed farm-raised goods. Next year, tour planners are hoping to add more farms, more time to visit, carpooling options, and a big party to wrap it all up.
Thank you so much for continuing to support healthy local food, a strong re-investment in non-profit projects in the valley, and for being part of this powerful, loving community. I’m grateful to serve you, and I’m looking forward to even more of everything that made 2019 a great year for the Ashland Food Co-op and our community.
More Co-op News
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
The Rogue Action Center (RAC) builds organizing infrastructure, leaders, and community power for a just, inclusive, and sustainable Southern Oregon for everyone.
November Change for Good Partner: Vesper Meadow Education Program
October Change for Good Partner: AFC Gives Community Fund
October's Change for Good Partner is
AFC Gives Community Fund
September Change for Good Partner: Truth to Power
September's Change for Good Partner is
Truth to Power
Truth to Power cultivates teen activism and community participation through social justice podcasts and transformative projects.
July Change for Good Partner: Ashland Food Angels
June Change for Good Partner: Maslow Project
Celebrate Ashland Food Co-op's 50th Anniversary
Ashland Food Co-op has been a staple in our community for 50 years and invites you to celebrate this anniversary with them on June 3rd, 2022 from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, at the AFC employee parking lot for dancing, food, face painting and more!
Music by Eight Dollar Mountain and Wild and Blue.
Siano's Karibbean Cookhouse, Walkabout Brewing Co. and Rogue Kombucha will be joining us with delicious food and beverages available for purchase.