Ashland Food Co-op employees are heroes, worthy of respect and gratitude
Until a crisis like this occurs, few think of Grocers as essential service providers. However, our employees have been here day in and day out, risking their health and the safety of their loved ones, to provide food for our community. This is not a job that can be done from home or from what is now considered a safe social distance. Our employees have worked with the utmost professionalism, care, and concern for shopper well-being. I would like to say that I have been blown away by their kindness and devotion, but frankly, this is how they perform every day, which is why they are our heroes.
Our employees have the unwelcome duty of enforcing our protocols that have been put in place for shopper and employee protection, and ultimately to do our part in slowing down the pandemic we are experiencing. Whether or not you believe the spread of Coronavirus is cause for concern does not allow for the treatment of another person, especially one positioned to assist shoppers, with anything less than the utmost respect.
I would like to thank our shoppers who regularly share wonderful, personal kudos for what we get to witness on a daily basis: a team ready and willing to delight shoppers, enhance health and enrich our community. To those of you who have taken the time to thank our staff, we extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation. However, during this time of elevated stress, we have had some customers take out their frustration on our employees. I want to be clear that our employees have my full support, in that any mistreatment of them from a shopper will be grounds for immediate removal from the store.
I fully understand that changes to daily patterns can be stressful and we are all having to make adjustments, but please remember, these are small changes we can all make to ensure the safety of those around us. During this time of insecurity, our personal responsibility and kindness is needed now more than ever!
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.