Forty-six years ago, a group of families formed a buying club to access sustainable, local, and organic food as an alternative to modern industrial agriculture. This humble foundation of social and environmental responsibility started the Ashland Food Co-op and has shaped every decision we’ve made since. That’s why we have...
Author Archives: Ashland Food Coop
What Does Democracy Have to Do with Cooperatives?
We often refer to cooperatives as “democratic enterprises.” But what does that really mean? Ashland Food Co-op, like all other co-ops, is owned and controlled by the people who use its services. We talk about how “you own it” but not much about how “you control it.” You may hear...
Proposals Sought for 2018 Community Grants
The funding cycle for the 2018 Co-op Community Grants for nonprofit organizations begins in February. Every spring, for more than 20 years, we’ve been donating to area nonprofits through our Community Grant program. We are committed to creating healthy, sustainable communities and this program helps us fulfil that commitment by...
Co+op Basics: High Integrity, Low Price
Looking to stretch your grocery budget? So are we! We’ve lowered the price on over three hundred items to create a set of high integrity staples for every shopper. Welcome to Co+op Basics. Co+op Basics includes over 300 pantry and household staples. From beef to milk to cereal, we’ve lowered...
Happy Holidays from the Co-op
You made it through Thanksgiving! And now the holiday crescendo is upon us. Celebrate with us! And while you do, extend your circle of giving to some worthy organizations before the year ends. We make it easy. Just tell your cashier that your would like to donate to one of...
The Co-op’s Stress-Free Solution to Thanksgiving Dinner
Spend more time relaxing with friends and family this holiday. Order our Deli’s scratch-cooked and ready-to-heat Thanksgiving meal. Choose Diestel Free Range Oven Roasted Turkey, Vegan Mushroom Walnut Loaf, or Butternut Lasagna as your main dish. Sides include Classic or Vegan Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans Almondine, and Maple Glazed Yams...
October is National Co-op Month
Being a co-op is special because we do business differently. We don’t have a single owner. We are owned and governed by you, our 10,000 members. We share the burden in hard times and share the benefits in the good times. Co-ops put people, the planet and our principles before...
The Co-op is Having a Giant Party!
It’s a big birthday year and we want YOU to help us CELEBRATE. Since 1972, Ashland Food Co-op has been deeply committed to building a community based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Our co-op members believe in honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for...
We’re Proud to Be Local
The Co-op has been part of the fabric of our local community for 45 years. Local is a part of our DNA. Sourcing from our local community is good for our economy and good for our health. As a cooperative business that is mutually owned by thousands of local people,...
JOIN US FOR OUR 2017 CO-OP FARM TOUR
Saturday, August 5th 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Experience your food in a new way: straight from the source. Here’s your chance to knock elbows with some of the local dedicated farmers that bring food to your table everyday. Explore behind the scenes and shake the hands that grow your...
There’s Still Time! Sign up for Kids Summer Camps
Imagine a summer camp that dives into food production, preparation and exploration, with a mix of farm and kitchen experiences that delight the senses and inspire the soul. The Co-op has teamed up with Rogue Valley Farm to School to focus on cultivating the ability to grow and cook delicious,...
Important Board Election News For Ashland Food Co-op Members
New E-Voting Elections Process This year our Board of Director election will be held online, in order to save printing and mailing expenses. We’re using Simply Voting, an experienced third-party company, to securely collect votes and tally the election results. Co-op owners on our email list will receive an email...
Celebrate Earth Month with the Co-op
Zero-Waste Hero FREE CLASS Wednesday, April 5, 6:30-8:30pm Co-op Classroom, 300 N. Pioneer St. Save money, reduce packaging, and help conserve the Earth’s limited natural resources in your kitchen and beyond. Improve your conservation practices with tips and tricks for a zero-waste kitchen while enjoying recipes designed to reduce your...
You CAN save money at the Co-op
We hear from time to time that people feel the Co-op is higher priced than other stores. In the past, we may have earned this perception. But not anymore. We took a long, hard look at ourselves and we talked with other Co-ops across the country. Together, we are pooling...
Happy 45th Birthday Ashland Food Co-op
In 1972, George McGovern was the Democratic nominee for President. He ran on an anti-war ticket. The Vietnam War was winding down, but not before many lost their precious lives on foreign soil. Nixon won that election. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was still on everyone’s reading list. Herbicides that had...
Stay Healthy and Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
Your health is precious, especially in the cold winter months. The Wellness Staff at Ashland Food Co-op can be a great resource to help you protect and enhance your health and wellbeing all year long. Here are some of their favorite Winter remedies for nourishing your body this cold and...
Happy Holidays From the Co-op
At Ashland Food Co-op, we’ve got many ways for you to save money on your holiday meals. There’s a lot of entertaining going on right now, and it can blow your budget pretty fast. We’ve got some programs that will stretch that budget so you can have the best holidays...
The Co-op’s No-Stress Solution to Thanksgiving Dinner
Order our Deli’s ready-to-heat and serve Thanksgiving meal to make your holiday a breeze. We make everything from scratch and all recipes use the highest quality ingredients. This year’s menu features Diestel Free Range Oven Roasted Turkey, Vegan Mushroom Walnut Loaf, or Butternut Lasagna as our main dishes. Side dishes...
Celebrate Organic Agriculture in Oregon
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has recognized our state’s thriving organic industry by proclaiming September 11-17 as Organically Grown in Oregon Week. This designation kicks off a statewide celebration that was started in 1988, well before there was a USDA Organic Standard. During this week, we’ll delight you with the best...
The Co-op’s August Farm Tour – Peaches and Veggies, Oh My!
Ever wanted to see behind the scenes, and shake the hands that grow your food? Here’s your chance to knock elbows with some of the dedicated farmers that bring food to your table every day. Gather the family, take a ride on an air-conditioned bus, and enjoy a picnic lunch...
Co-op Farm Tours 2016
Have you ever wanted to see behind the scenes and shake the hands that grow your food? Here’s your chance to knock elbows with some of the dedicated farmers that bring food to your table every day. Gather the family, take a ride on an air-conditioned bus, and enjoy a...
Get Ready for the Co-op Annual Meeting
Saturday, June 25 | 11AM to 1PM Cotton Memorial Picnic Area | Lithia Park in Ashland In an effort to reach out to our next generation of cooperators, this year’s Annual Meeting will have more family-friendly features than ever before! We’ve moved the event to earlier in the day so...
Product Standards Count at Ashland Food Co-op
Did you know that the Co-op has a standing Product Standards committee that makes sure our product buyers adhere to our product policies? As more information comes out about genetically engineered ingredients, our Product Standards committee has had to be nimble and update our set of standards to meet the...
Sign Up for Co-op Summer Camps
Education is one of the key missions for Ashland Food Co-op. We are especially focusing on children this year by offering a number of events that will teach kids about healthy eating. Since food plays a vital role in childhood development, and because learning about where food comes from makes...
Co+op Basi¢s Gives You More Ways to Save
Have you heard the great news about Ashland Food Co-op’s new Co+op Basi¢s program? It’s a great way to make your weekly shopping trip more affordable! Co+op Basi¢s offers a wide variety of household staples at great prices. These products create the building blocks for hearty meals and everyday living....
Celebrate Soup Month in January
Rich Sausage and Cabbage Stew This soup is a flavor bomb of rich broth, chicken sausage and ham. Sauerkraut, cabbage and apple give this hearty soup complex flavors, and keep your taste buds awake. You won’t think about cabbage stew the same ever again. Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive...
Happy Holidays From The Co-op
At Ashland Food Co-op, we’ve got many ways for you to save money on your holiday meals. There’s a lot of entertaining going on right now, and it can blow your budget pretty fast. We’ve got some programs that will stretch that budget so you can have the best holidays...
The Co-op’s No-Stress Solution to Thanksgiving Dinner
Order our Deli’s ready-to-heat-and-serve Thanksgiving meal to make your holiday a breeze. We make everything from scratch and all recipes use the highest quality ingredients. This year’s menu features Diestel Free Range Oven Roasted Turkey, Vegan Mushroom Walnut Loaf, or Butternut Lasagna as our main dishes. Side dishes include Classic...
Big Fun Events at the Co-op
COOKING CLASSES $30 for Co-op owners/ $35 for the general public Soup Kitchen Wisdom with Victoria Markham Tuesday, October 8, 6:30 to 9 PM A good soup is the ultimate winter comfort food. Victoria believes soup also is a way to support the immune system. She’ll demonstrate three recipes: Winter...
Meet Your Makers at the Co-op During Love Local Week – September 11-20
Join us at the Ashland Food Co-op to taste what makes local so special in the Rogue Valley. We’ve invited a variety of our most favorite local producers to come and meet you at the Culinary Kiosk for conversation and tasting all week long. After all, it’s our local flavor...
The Co-op Sparkles With Fresh Local Produce
High summer is finally here! Our local farms are bursting with all the best foods of the season. Corn. Tomatoes. Peaches. Melons. All of this delicious bounty is waiting for you at Ashland Food Co-op and we’re sure it will make you smile. Fresh peaches from Rolling Hills Farm are...
Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics and Sustainability – A Special Discussion Course from Northwest Earth Institute Held at Ashland Food Co-op’s Classroom
We are what we eat. We create ourselves by what we choose to feed ourselves. Our food choices affect ecosystem health, how harvesters and factory workers are treated, the health of farm workers, which foods are grown and sold, how humanely animals are treated, and even how much carbon dioxide...
Celebrate Rogue Valley Earth Day
Celebrate Rogue Valley Earth Day Saturday, April 25 • 11:00-4:00 ScienceWorks • 1500 E. Main Street • Ashland Actions matter! It’s true: the actions we take, small and large, really do make a difference. Are there actions you can take to live more sustainably? Come and find out at the...
History is Made! Ashland Food Co-op is 10,000 Owners Strong!
Please join us in celebrating our 10,000th Co-op Owner, Cheryle San Miguel! This is no small feat. When Ashland Community Food Store began its journey to convert to a true cooperative enterprise by January 1st, 2003, we could not have predicted we would have 10,000 owners 12 years later. On...
Winter Seasonal Therapeutics Workshop – January 19th at Ashland Food Co-op
Are you hoping for the healthiest and happiest winter yet? Ashland Food Co-op’s Wellness staff has teamed up with MegaFood to offer a FREE community workshop where you’ll learn about lifestyle, nutrition and supplementation strategies to add to your daily habits right away. The workshop will address both seasonal mood...
Come to the Co-op’s Holiday Tamale Party
Saturday, December 13 • 11 am to 1 pm Co-op Classroom at 300 N. Pioneer St. A centuries old holiday tradition for many families with Hispanic ties is the traditional family gathering to make tamales. As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.” And, since there are numerous steps...
Make your Holiday Meal Delicious and Easy
Our Co-op Deli will once again offer our scrumptious ready to heat and serve Thanksgiving meals. We make everything from scratch in our homey co-op kitchen, from the pie crusts to the cornbread for the stuffing. All food is made fresh using the highest quality ingredients. All produce and grains...
10 Reasons Why Co-ops Rock
October is National Co-op Month, a good time to connect with the virtues of the cooperative business model and its positive effects on families, communities and the environment. Let’s just take a look at some of the reasons co-ops rock: Cooperatives are democratic organizations that are equally owned and controlled...
Meet Our Local Producers During Love Local Week September 12-20!
We’ve invited our favorite local producers to come meet you at the Culinary Kiosk for conversation and to offer a sampling of their wares. We’ll also be featuring specialty products from local farms. Watch our Facebook page for daily tasting schedules. In the meantime, here are some folks you won’t...
It’s Harvest Season! Take a Farm Tour!
Visit Hi Hoe Produce at Bluebird Farm Saturday, August 9 – 8am to mid-afternoon Board an air conditioned tour bus at the Co-op to visit one of the loveliest farms around! Spend the morning with owners Chi and Michelle Scherer followed by lunch in their orchard prepared from food grown...