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.

Update as of August 13th, 2021: Oregon Health Authority requires face coverings to be worn in all public indoor settings in response to a large jump in COVID-19 hospitalizations due to the Delta variant of the virus. We require face coverings to be worn by all shoppers, employees, vendors, contractors, and other visitors. Designated Priority Shopping hour resumes for vulnerable community members from 7:00 am to 8:00 am daily. Our eGrocery curbside pick-up program resumes on our website on Friday for pick-up on Monday, August 16th with a $10 service charge. Due to labor shortages, please reserve this program for high-risk shoppers.

Acceptable Mask Use Policy as of Friday, August 13th, 2021 from the Ashland Food Co-op.

 

Update as of July 28th,  2021: Oregon Health Authority recommends universal public mask use for all public indoor settings. In response to a large jump in cases due to the Delta variant. This recommendation includes fully vaccinated people.July 28, 2021 Face Mask Update

Update as of June 30th, 2021: Face coverings and social distancing are no longer required for Co-op shoppers. Employees will continue to adhere to OSHA standards that require face coverings and social distancing. Thank you for your support and patience throughout!Face coverings and social distancing are no longer required at the Ashland Food Co-op. Thank you for your support and patience! Until OSHA announces a change in workplace guidelines, employees must continue to wear face coverings and maintain social distance.

 

The Ashland Food Co-op acknowledges and shares our community’s concerns about protecting against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The safety and health of staff and customers is a top priority for the Co-op. We are taking proactive steps throughout our store to maintain a clean atmosphere to work and shop.

 

We have consolidated store changes below.
 

OHA's mask guidance:
• “Face covering” means a cloth, polypropylene, paper or other face covering that covers the nose and the mouth and that rests snugly above the nose, below the mouth, and on the sides of the face.
• The following are not face coverings because they allow droplets to be released: a covering that incorporates a valve that is designed to facilitate easy exhalation, mesh masks, lace masks or other coverings with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material, or vents.

Hours of operation:

  • 7-8am: priority shopping for vulnerable community members.
  • Store hours remain 7am-9pm.
  • The AFC Kitchen and hot bar closes at 8pm. You can now order ahead from the kitchen online.

Before entering the store:

  • All staff and shoppers in the store must wear a mask or face covering. Free temporary masks are available at the Customer Service Desk. 
  • Reusable grocery bags are allowed if you bag your own groceries.
  • Sanitizing wipes are available at all cart stations.
  • Please do not hang out or otherwise loiter in the Co-op courtyard or store.

In the store:

  • Aisles are one way -
    Please follow the "one way" stickers on the store floor to help maintain distance in aisles.
  • A no-touch hand sanitizer dispenser is located at the Information Desk and to the right of the exit doors.
  • As of April 20th, 2021 reusable bulk and produce bags are acceptable.
    • The $.02 charge on plastic produce bags will resume- effective April 22nd, 2021.
  • Bulk nut butters are being individually packaged and stored in the bulk cooler.
  • Please help protect cashiers and yourself by bagging your own groceries, if you are able.
  • Plexiglass barriers have been installed to help protect cashiers and shoppers where social distancing isn't possible.
    Plexiglass barrier for cashiers and shoppers
  • You'll find social distancing reminder stickers at checkout stands and throughout the store. Thanks for helping to share your space.
    Social distance reminder

Co-op Kitchen:

  • No outside mugs or containers are permitted.
  • Indoor seating is currently closed.
  • The hot bar, salad bar and soup bar are no longer self-service; Co-op employees will help to box your meal to-go.
  • Self-serve coffee is no longer available.
  • The Co-op has increased the number of items available as “Grab & Go” selections.

Special orders & returns:

Special orders accepted

Special orders are being accepted. Product returns are permitted as of April 20th, 2021.

Classes, events and sales:

Cloth masks for staff

Led by board member Julie O'Dwyer, a group of Co-op friends worked hard over several days to make two cloth masks for each employee, in accordance with new recommendations from the CDC and OHA.
Thanks to these selfless, thoughtful community members for their contributions to everyone's safety:
Joe Dunbar - 200 masks at a discounted price; Erin McConnell - 45 masks and counting; Erica Thompson - 30 masks; board member Trine Ostergaard - 30 masks; Jenni Presley - 7 masks; Christine Begley - 30 masks.

More Co-op News

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.

September Change for Good: AFC Community Fund

As we enter the beautiful month of September here in Southern Oregon, we're excited to share that our Change for Good partner this month is our very own Community Fund. As many of you know, the Community Fund allows us to support amazing local projects and organizations doing great work right here in Southern Oregon.

August Change for Good - Partnering with ACCESS to Make a Difference!

We are honored to partner with ACCESS this August - a fantastic organization that has been serving our community for over four decades. ACCESS, which stands for "A Community in Action, Connecting, Empowering, and Strengthening Self-Sufficiency," is dedicated to addressing hunger, homelessness, and poverty in Southern Oregon.

Empowering Our Community: AFC's Community Grants Now Accepting Applications

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, AFC is thrilled to announce the that we are accepting applications for our Community Grants program

Ashland Food Co-op's Community Grants program is designed to foster meaningful change in the Southern Oregon region. Through these grants, we seek to support projects that align with our mission of promoting local and sustainable food systems, addressing food insecurity, and promoting community engagement.

July's Change for Good Partner - Maslow Project

Ashland Food Co-op is thrilled to partner with Maslow Project for our Change for Good program! Maslow Project is an incredible organization that works tirelessly to support homeless youth and families in Southern Oregon. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, and they do this through a range of services including housing assistance, medical care, and educational support.

Bicycle Benefits

Do you love to bike? Do you love to save money? Do you love the Co-op? Let us tell you about this awesome program at the Ashland Food Co-op! We all know biking is great for the environment and by joining Bicycle Benefits you'll be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint, all while enjoying some pretty sweet perks.

So, what exactly is Bicycle Benefits? It's a program that rewards cyclists for their pedal power! Here's how it works:

1. Stop by the Co-op and buy your $5 Bicycle Benefits sticker

May 2023 Change for Good Partner: Talent Maker City

Talent Maker City's mission is to build a more connected, prosperous, and resilient community through hands-on creativity and innovative STEAM-based learning. (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math.) They have a bustling Makerspace facility, brimming with creative energy in downtown Talent offering hands-on STEAM-based workshops and programming for curious minds of all ages!

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

We're always learning and growing here at the Co-op and with the approach of Cinco de Mayo we thought we would share a (very) brief history lesson and some thoughts on celebrating this holiday here in the United States.