Community Grant Recipients 2019
The Ashland Food Co-op donated over $29,000 to 28 local nonprofit organizations through their Community Grant Program.
The Community Grant program is the focus of one of the fundamental Cooperative Principles, which all cooperative enterprises follow. Our Community Grant Program supports Principle 7, Concern for Community.
Each year, the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors sets aside a percentage of sales from the previous year to fund the Community Grant program. Grant proposals must align with the Co-op's vision of enhancing our community’s health with nutritional food, wellness products and education while practicing environmental sustainability methods.
Grants are awarded in the following categories: environmental stewardship, environmental/sustainability education, education programs focused on food, nutrition and health, and food or supportive services for people in need.
The maximum grant any nonprofit can receive is $2,000. The Ashland Food Co-op Grant Committee, which includes AFC board members, staff, and community members, reviewed all grants and allocated the funds.
The following nonprofits were awarded their respective funds at the Community Grants Celebration on May 22nd, 2019.
ACCESS
Ashland Community Hospital Foundation
Ashland Food Angels
Ashland High Arts Advocates
Ashland Parks Foundation on behalf of North Mountain Park Nature Center
Bellview Grange
Cave Junction Farmers' Market
Comet Academy Magnet Program at Hanby Middle School
Community Works, Inc.
Emerging Futures Youth Network
Helman Elementary School PTA
John Muir
Klamath Basin Beekeepers Assoc.
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
Our Family Farms
Peace House
Phoenix Counseling Center, Inc.
Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
Raptor Creek Farm and the Josephine County Food Bank
Rogue Basin Partnership
Rogue Valley Mentoring
Ashland/Talent Home Visit Conference of St. Vincent de Paul
SOCAN
Southern Oregon Educational Service District (SOESD)
Southern Oregon University Foundation
The Siskiyou Field Institute
Walker Elementary PTO
White Oak Farm and Education Center
The next funding cycle for Ashland Food Co-op's Community Grant program will begin in March of 2020.
More Co-op News
Capiche Conversations: Interview with Tracy Kaiser, Marketing & Education Manager of Ashland Food Co-op
Our own marketing manager, Tracy Kaiser, was interviewed by Melissa L. Michaels for Capiche Conversations.
May Day Community Block Party
Photography by Chelsea Whitney Art
On May 1st, several Southern Oregon businesses came together for a block party to provide a space to gather as a community after a rough spell due to the pandemic and fires. The May Day Block Party was hosted on Main St in Phoenix, where the scent of food trucks mingled with artisan goods such as local cheeses, locally farmed flowers, and even fresh-baked pastries.
May Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Farm to School
May's Change for Good Recipient is
Rogue Valley Farm to School educates children about our food system through hands-on farm and garden programs, and by increasing local foods in school meals.
April Change for Good Recipient: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
April's Change for Good Recipient is
A Visit with Rolling Hills
Visit Rolling Hills Farm and learn more about owner Dave Belzberg, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than thirty five years.
A Visit with Magnolia Farms
Visit Magnolia Farms and learn more about owner Elissa Thau, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Visit with Emerald Hills
Visit the Emerald Hills Ranch and learn more about this fourth generation ranching family that the Ashland Food Co-op is so proud to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Conversation with Katie Falkenberg, Photographer and Filmmaker
Katie Falkenberg's photography and filmmaking has taken her all over the world, and lucky for us - she's been calling the Rogue Valley home for a couple years now. Exquisitely and harmoniously capturing the world around her, she is documenting not only through the lens but also through her peaceful and loving spirit. Katie reached out to us in hopes of collaborating after falling in love with the co-op soon after moving here.
March Change for Good Recipient: North Mountain Park Nature Center
March's Change for Good Recipient is
North Mountain Park Nature Center,
a division of Ashland Parks and Recreation, that encompasses demonstration gardens, a nature playground, and approximately 14 acres of Natural Area that is managed for wildlife preservation and public education.
February Change for Good Recipient: Ashland High Arts Advocates
January Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Mentoring
Since 2005, Rogue Valley Mentoring (formerly the Rose Circle Mentoring Network) has trained over 500 adults who have mentored over 2,000 youth in our valley; letting young people know that they are not alone. A caring and compassionate ear shows them that they matter, and they they are experts of their own experience.
Coronavirus Preparedness at the Co-op
Update as of March 15th, 2022: Oregon Health Authority no longer requires face coverings to be worn in all public indoor settings.
Shopping Safely & Efficiently
As coronavirus cases increase in Jackson County, the Co-op is taking extra precautions to protect shoppers and employees.
To ensure social distancing in the store, the number of persons allowed in the store at once has been reduced to 50% capacity. Understandably, this may lead to a short wait outside of the store, but please be assured the line moves quickly.
In order to keep the wait as short as possible, here are a few steps you can take to help out:
10 Ways to Shine Your Light in Dark Times
By Allan Weisbard L.C.S.W.
Since 1963, autumn has been a difficult time for me. Two months shy of my 13th birthday I lost my younger brother to cancer, then shortly afterwards, President Kennedy was assassinated.