Meet our February Change for Good Recipients
This month at AFC we're doing things a bit different! For the entire month of February round up your total at checkout and donate to TWO amazing organizations: Rogue Community Cat Rescue and Rogue Valley Street Dogs.
Rogue Community Cat Rescue is a nonprofit based in Medford, Oregon that aims to advocate for and improve the lives of community cats and kittens through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), rescue, foster care, adoption, and education. Recently, RCCR has been able to shift into larger-scale projects including, but not limited to:
- The Community Pet Pantry
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The pantry is free and primarily supports cats, with limited dog food available as resources allow. The goal is to help offset basic care costs so families can keep their pets in their homes, reducing the need for rehoming or surrender to local shelters due to financial hardship.
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The pantry will also gratefully accept donations of cat food, litter, flea and tick medication, blankets, and other basic supplies, as well as dog food when available. These donations aid in continuing to support pets and the people who love them!
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Trap-neuter-return (TNR)
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"TNR is a major focus for us, and we’re aiming to get significantly more cats spayed and neutered this year than in past years. We plan to accomplish this by partnering with additional clinics and by purchasing a surgical van that would allow us to perform spay and neuter surgeries directly at our clinic. We have a specific vehicle in mind, but we need the funds to purchase it and outfit it with the proper surgical equipment. Donations toward this project are greatly appreciated and will directly support lifesaving care for community cats" (RCCR).
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Response to large-scale situations
- Rogue Community Cat Rescue regularly responds to large-scale hoarding situations, providing care, cleanup, and long-term support in some of the most challenging cases in our community. Each year, the organization takes on at least three major hoarding cases that require extensive time, medical care, and resources. In one such case from last spring, more than 70 cats were rescued from a home that had become unsafe for both the animals and the people living there. Many of the cats required urgent medical attention, including spay and neuter surgery, treatment for ringworm, and care for other serious health conditions. Some animals were humanely euthanized due to severe health concerns, while others continue to receive ongoing care including two cats who remain with us today as they heal and prepare for their next chapter. These cases are emotionally and financially demanding, but they are essential. By stepping in when conditions become unsafe, RCCR helps protect animals, supports public health, and works toward long-term solutions that prevent these situations from happening again.
To learn more, please visit www.roguecats.org
Rogue Valley Street Dogs, based in Talent, OR, is dedicated to providing essential support services for pets in need. "Our vision is to alleviate the suffering and tragic consequences of pet overpopulation in the Rogue Valley through education and compassionate action" (RVSD). Services include but are not limited to :
- Free Spay and Neuter Surgeries
- RVSD is able to offer free services thanks in part to local veterinarians in the area. Often times when the organization receives a phone call, online message, or referrals, volunteers immediately jump into action and work to find a surgery appointment and transportation if needed. "Due to the national veterinary crisis in our country, it is harder to get these appointments as quickly, but we do everything in our power to do so. If guardians are able to help with a copay of any amount, we greatly appreciate it due to the ever-rising costs, but the service is free for those who cannot" (RVSD).
- Limited High Quality Dog and Cat Food
- "Thanks in large part to our generous partners at Nature’s Pet, Wellness Pet Supplies, and Red Dog Pet Supply as well as donors, we make a point of providing only high quality food for the pets we serve. Most of our clients truly do feed their dog or cat before themselves, but eating people food or low quality pet food can lead to complications like pancreatitis and other effects of poor nutrition. We regularly supply the OHRA Resource Center in Ashland with high quality food as well as making deliveries to food banks, social service organizations, and individuals. When we do outreach events, we also bring lots of good food" (RVSD).
- Vaccine Vouchers
- The Jackson County Animal Shelter has a low cost shot clinic the third Saturday of every month. However, for those who cannot afford reduced cost vaccines, RVSD will cover the cost. They may also provide coverage for parvo/distemper puppy vaccines for those who cannot get to the clinic and have unvaccinated puppies at great risk for these deadly diseases. Besides safeguarding the wellness of your pet, vaccinations are often required for those working to obtain housing.
To learn more, please visit www.roguevalleystreetdogs.org
More Co-op News
On the Road to Sustainability
By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator
Forty six years ago, a group of families formed a buying club to access sustainable, local 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 ever made. It’s how, over four decades later, that a small buying club became a 30 million dollar, 17,500 square foot Certified Organic Retailer diverting 82% of their discards from the landfill.
Staff Picks: Earth Friendly Products
In celebration of Sustainability Month in April, we asked our Sustainability Committee to share their favorite eco-friendly product.
2018 Kids Summer Camps
We’ve teamed up with Rogue Valley Farm to School to offer three different camps this summer. Each week campers will dive into food production, preparation and exploration, with a mix of farm and kitchen experiences that delight the senses and inspire the soul. Join Rogue Valley Farm to School staff as they cultivate the ability to grow and cook delicious, healthy, seasonal meals. Monday - Wednesday at the Co-op Community Classroom, Thursday & Friday at the Farm at SOU.
Update on our Strategic Initiatives
By Ed Claassen, Board President
Your Board and Management Team invested a significant amount of time in 2014 developing a set of strategic initiatives that we believe are vital in shaping the future of our business and furthering our mission. We formed a Strategic Planning Steering Committee consisting of 3 Board members and 3 Management Team members to guide the implementation of these initiatives.
2018 Electronic Coupon Schedule
To further our sustainability efforts and to serve you better, we began offering Electronic Owner Coupons in January 2017 at the register.
No more forgetting to bring your owner coupons. No more waiting for your newsletter to arrive. Cashiers simply ask if you want to use your owner coupons when you check out.
As we enter our second year of Electronic Coupons we wanted to share a couple of friendly reminders and the 2018 month by month schedule.
Please note:
What Does Democracy Have to Do with Cooperatives?
By Annie Hoy, Marketing Manager
We often refer to cooperatives as “democratic enterprises.” But what does that really mean? The Ashland Food Co-op, like all other co-ops in most economic sectors, is owned and controlled by the people who use its services.
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 the margin and price on all those items to make organic, healthy food accessible to every shopper.
Co+op Basics Staff Favorites
After the holidays, we usually find our pocket books a little lighter. Here are a few favorite Co+op Basics items our staff turn to when the money is a little tighter.
Proposals Sought for the 2018 Community Grants
The funding cycle for the 2018 Co-op Community Grants for nonprofit organizations is now open.
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 fulfill that commitment by supporting the amazing work of local nonprofits. The Community Grant program is also the highlight of Cooperative Principle 7, Concern for Community, and is something we take to heart.
From the General Manager’s Desk
By Emile Amarotico
As we commence our lap around the sun in 2018, I wish to recognize the longstanding contributions of an amazing group of professionals. We are blessed with the dedication of eleven department managers expertly coordinating the daily flow of people, products and services that breath life into our Co-op!
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Lynne (35+ years’ tenure) our Grocery Manager oversees keeping the aisles abundant with shelf stable products and coolers full of fresh perishables.
The Role of the Board in Co-op Governance
By Gwyneth Bowman, Vice President
After serving on the AFC Board for fourteen years my passion for the Co-op model has strengthened my commitment to the Cooperative Principles and Values. Of special importance is how we work together as a governing body with one voice. We are the ultimate decision-makers of our Co-op and hold a trusteeship for the benefit of our owners and community.
Fall Favorites from the Co-op
Like it or not, the cool weather has arrived. Whether you are heading out for a hike or enjoying a good book by the fire, the Co-op Deli has what you need to fuel your favorite fall activity. Stay warm with these comfort food recommendations from the Co-op Deli.
From the General Manager's Desk
By Emile Amarotico
A recent visitor commented that our parking is totally inadequate to our business volume. What’s true is that we cannot create more parking due to space and municipal code constraints. Thus, the value of each available space is increasing over time. Assuming only half of Co-op shoppers use automobile parking, each space supports at least $200,000 in annual sales.
Meet Board of Director Julie O'Dwyer
When not working on Board of Director efforts, my profession is an Interior and Building Designer. I own the Ashland Design Studio, located in the Historic Railroad District, and have a design services studio there - JulieO Design. I have been in the architectural design business my whole life; from crawling around my father's architectural studio to traveling around the world working on buildings large and small to now having created my own niche in the local building community. I took a few years off this path to own and run Tease Restaurant here in Ashland.