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
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