
A dozen local favorites to explore this summer
The Co-op has always had a focus on supporting the strong local scene of growers and producers - and in these times, it's even more important. Here is just a small selection of some of our favorites from the area. Help support local businesses next time you stop by the Co-op by picking one of these products.
.jpg)
Siskiyou Seeds
With growing season upon us, it's a good time to get planting! Grown locally, organically, and without any GMOs, these are seeds with proven success in the region.
.jpg)
Fry Family Farm flowers
By buying flowers locally, you can be sure of a long-lasting display of peak blooms. Always cut in-season to reflect the Rogue Valley's beauty.
.jpg)
Blue Fox Farm greens
From start to finish, Blue Fox Farm focuses on quality: from seed to harvest to packing, everything takes place on the farm. Sustainable, Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth, and certified Salmon-Safe.
.jpg)
Pennington Farms fig conserve
Sustainably grown berries and fruits grown by the Pennington family - plus they do muffins, pies, ice cream, and flowers!
.jpg)
Banyan Botanicals' ayurvedic herbs & oils
As the first USDA certified organic Ayurvedic massage and herbal oils, Banyan Botanicals focuses on providing high-quality products and education on Ayurveda. Get support from a 5,000 year old tradition by exploring their entire line.
.jpg)
Luna Verde Designs felted soap
From our neighbors in Northern California, this felted soap is vegan, with a coconut & olive oil base. Luna Verde comes from a permaculture mini-farm where they also offer classes in McCloud, CA.
.jpg)
Mix breads
Already an Ashland favorite, these breads are minimally processed to create rustic, irresistible loaves.
.jpg)
Pie + Vine pizza crusts and focaccia
Scratch-made Italian breads are just one of Pie + Vine's specialties. Enjoy on its own, or as a base for a personal pizza.
.jpg)
Walkabout Brewing beers
With over 20 years experience brewing in Southern Oregon, you can't go wrong with a classic like the Worker’s Pale Ale or Jabberwocky English Strong Ale. Well-balanced and highly enjoyable, these could be your go-to summer brew.
.jpg)
Apple Outlaw ciders
You may know Apple Outlaw because of our collaboration on the annual Community Cider, made from donated backyard apples and pears. They also do a lot of other unique ciders which stand out on their own.
.jpg)
Quady North wine-in-a-can
An always-enjoyable local winemaker, Quady North is now offering some of their classics in a can. Take one with you for your next mountain summit adventure.
.jpg)
Upper Five wines
Upper Five is unique for its certified-biodynamic vineyards, for ethical and sustainable land stewardship, and natural winemaking process, using native yeasts.
More Co-op News

Rogue Co-ops College Scholarship
As part of the Rogue Co-ops, a group of Rogue Valley cooperative businesses that includes Ashland Food Co-op, Grange Co-op, Medford Food Co-op, and Rogue Credit Union, we're excited to offer a scholarship opportunity to local high school students planning on attending college.
The Rogue Co-ops have collectively funded a $2,000 scholarship (and Grange Co-op offers an additional eight $1,500 scholarships) for students (in public, private or home school settings) who meet the following requirements:

Become an Owner-Volunteer with the AFC Board
The AFC Board of Directors is looking for owner-volunteers for three board committees: the Owner Engagement Committee (OEC), Board Development Committee (BDC), and AFC Gives Committee.

Sustainability Update: Building on a Strong Foundation
Sustainability Update
Our team has been working on many different projects throughout the year, taking great steps to fulfill our four sustainability goals. Our four goals to achieve by 2030 are: carbon neutrality, zero waste, eliminating toxic chemicals, and being a leader in our sustainable community. We look forward to our sustainable success in the upcoming decade!

2020: A vision for the future through Co-ops and local food
As the 2010s come to a close, the “20/20” eyesight analogy couldn’t be more appropriate for the new decade. With our eye on the future, there’s clearly a sense of urgency and awareness of the unique times we’re living in: a changing climate, increases in costs of living, and the shared pressures of a globalized world.

5 Items to Try: Spreads, Condiments & Snacks
It's fun trying new things! Here are five items you can find at the Co-op with a distinctly international flavor. Whether you're spreading them on some bread or naan, mixing up a salad dressing, or just want something salty and crunchy to snack on, try these out next time you want to elevate your dishes.

10 Ways to Enjoy: Ginger Spread
Sometimes you might come across a product at the Co-op and ask, "That looks good, but how in the heck can I use it in my cooking?" To answer that question, we picked this Ginger Spread made by The Ginger People (famous for their Gin-Gin candies). Grab a jar and try some of these unique applications in your own kitchen - or get inspired to utilize it in another way.

Meet Your Board: Melina Barker
Hello, Co-op members! My name is Melina Barker, and I joined the AFC Board of Directors this July. Since then, I have been busy learning about all the work the previous members have done to craft strategic goals to support the success of the AFC.

Smart Chicken® Holiday Giving in 2019
During the month of November, Co-op shoppers can nourish their own families and help fight hunger in the Rogue Valley.
Over the years, Smart Chicken® and Ashland Food Co-op have teamed up to donate thousands of pounds of chicken to ACCESS. Smart Chicken® will once again donate Smart Chicken® products based on the total volume that shoppers purchase at Ashland Food Co-op to ACCESS.

Henry in the Garden: Already Preparing for the Spring
The bane of all gardeners is powdery mildew - that white substance that collects both on the tops and bottoms of the leaves of your healthiest vegetable plants. Cucumbers and zucchini seem to be more easily affected by this scourge than many others.

GM Report: Gratitude for a Great 2019 at the Co-op
It’s the season of gratitude and reflection on the year that has passed, and there is so much to be thankful for as a Co-op owner.
2019 started off with the news that over $13,000 in emergency donations had been raised from Co-op owners and shoppers for support and relief efforts after Paradise, CA was leveled by a wildfire. This outpouring of our support was critical in the months after the fire, after the news trucks had left and the work of rebuilding began. I know how grateful we all are for the much calmer smoke season that our region experienced this summer.

Rounding Up in October
Part of what makes co-ops unique are the guiding 7 Principles of Cooperation. One of the seven that is felt strongly in Ashland is "Concern for the community" - and that's why the Co-op is offering a new way to give back to our community for the month of October. When you pay at the register, you can round up your total to the nearest dollar. For example, $11.68 becomes $12, and $0.32 is donated.

Win 2 tickets to "Chicken Done Simply" cooking class
Find out how fun and educational Co-op cooking classes are! Sign up below for the chance to win two free seats (for you and a friend or loved one) at the next class, "Chicken Done Simply" with the Co-op's own Michelle Guerrie.

Fall Staff Picks
Thanks to alpine trails and shaded valley creeks, outdoor recreation is year-round in the Rogue Valley. But fall usually makes for more frisky feet, so we asked Co-op employees for their favorite fall activities and recommendations for what they grab before they head out.

Applegate products joining Co-op Basics
Just in time for the school year, Applegate products are being added to the Co-op Basics program! The Co-op carries a variety of Applegate products, like sliced deli meat, cheeses, bacon, and sausages. Now as part of the Co-op Basics program, you’ll be saving up to $2 on Applegate products across the store, every day.

2019 Farm Tour Recap
Another successful farm tour is in the books! With 30 farms this year, visitors could see how bigger farms work, like Herb Pharm, Fry Family Farm, and Rogue Creamery, while also experiencing the joys of smaller farms, such as Turning Point Farm, Fox Run Farm, and Daily Blessing Farm.
Visitors of all ages enjoying Goodwin Creek Gardens