Meet your newly elected board members

Ed Claassen headshot

Ed Claassen

What's your favorite meal/produce/item from the Co-op?
I love all the fresh organic produce, but my favorite is the Co-op brand granola in the bulk section. I ran into a fellow admirer a few months before Covid-19 shut down the self-serve. We shared our predilection for the granola and then he quoted the bin numner by heart as he saw me searching for it.

What's your favorite activity or place to visit in Ashland / the area?
I have a pre-Covid-19 and a post-Covid-19 response: before, it would be breakfast at Brothers, sure to include their fresh-baked scone of the day. Since the coronavirus, it has to be the view from Hobart Bluff, with Mt. Shasta to the south, Mt. McLoughlin to the east and the whole Rogue Valley opening to the northwest.

Do you have a favorite community organization you support in the Rogue Valley?
I have to mention two organizations. After facilitating some strategic planning for both Lomakatsi and Rogue Valley Farm to School, I found myself deeply impressed with their missions, their leadership, and the operational excellence of both!

 

Julie O'Dwyer headshot

Julie O'Dwyer

What's your favorite meal/produce/item from the Co-op?
My guilty pleasure is Honey Mama's Lavender Chocolate and fresh blueberries.

What's your favorite activity or place to visit in Ashland / the area?
If I could live on the patio of Irvine & Roberts, I would be a very happy person. But there are lots of wineries that take my attention away.

Do you have a favorite community organization you support in the Rogue Valley?
First and foremost, the Ashland Food Co-op!  But after that it would have to be my new non-profit, Ashland Works.

 

 

Mark Gibbs headshot

Mark Gibbs

What's your favorite meal/produce/item from the Co-op?
You'll find me spending most of my time in the produce - I'm all about fresh berries, any and all!

What's your favorite activity or place to visit in Ashland / the area?
This is a toss up, depending on the season: either hiking with family and friends up Pilot Rock, or sunny winter days on Mt. Ashland

Do you have a favorite community organization you support in the Rogue Valley?
It's hard to beat the long history and welcoming, inclusive work of Ashland Emergency Food Bank.

More Co-op News

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.

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.

March Change for Good: KS Wild

As we step into March, we are thrilled to introduce our Change for Good partner – KS Wild, an organization dedicated to preserving the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Oregon. At the heart of our community lies a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, making KS Wild the perfect ally in our ongoing quest for positive change.

What is KS Wild?

February Change for Good Partner: Rogue Climate

As we navigate the challenges posed by climate change, it becomes increasingly vital to support organizations dedicated to creating positive environmental impacts. This February, Ashland Food Co-op proudly introduces Rogue Climate as its Change for Good partner. Join us in supporting their mission to empower Southern Oregon communities most affected by climate change.

January Change for Good: AHS Culinary Arts Program

Hey Co-op community!

As we step into the new year, the Ashland Food Co-op is excited to continue our Change for Good program, and for January 2024, we're shining a spotlight on a program that's close to our hearts (and our stomachs) - the Ashland High School Culinary Arts Program.

November Change for Good: Rogue Food Unites

Say hello to our November Change for Good partner - Rogue Food Unites!

Rogue Food Unites (RFU) uses food to heal individuals and communities during times of crisis. RFU was formed in 2020 out of the dual disasters of the Almeda and Obenchain fires and the impacts of COVID-19 on local communities. Within a short time, RFU began contracting with the State of Oregon to supply hot meals, food boxes, and solidarity cards in Deschutes, Douglas, Klamath, Josephine, and Jackson Counties. 

Meet Nick Hardee, AFC's new GM!

The Co-op Board of Directors and staff are thrilled to welcome Nick Hardee as the new General Manager of the Ashland Food Co-op! We asked Nick to share a little bit about himself so we'll get right to it!

October Change for Good: Center for Non-Profit Legal Services

This October, the Ashland Food Co-op is proud to partner with the Center for Non-Profit Legal Services (CNPLS) for our Change for Good program. All month long, shoppers can round up their purchases to support CNPLS and their mission to provide access to justice.

CNPLS is a non-profit legal aid firm serving low-income and vulnerable community members in Ashland and surrounding areas. Their team of dedicated lawyers and volunteers work to ensure everyone has access to legal help, regardless of their ability to pay.

It's Co-op Month!

OK, you've got us, every month is Co-op Month here at AFC! But every October since 1964, cooperatives of all kinds have celebrated the cooperative difference. Here at the Ashland Food Co-op, we're excited to recognize the history, benefits, and principles behind our own co-op.