Here’s what they did:

Customers were invited to make a $5 donation to the Ashland Food Project at checkout. In return, Grocery Outlet provided a $5 Grocery Outlet credit, allowing customers to support the Food Project while also saving on a future purchase.

It was a true win-win.

At the time of this writing, more than $2,000 had been raised through the campaign.

As we’ve often said, the Ashland Food Project is about much more than collecting food.

It’s about neighbors helping neighbors.

It’s about businesses investing in their community.

And it’s about creating opportunities for all of us to make a difference, one small act at a time.

Thank You, Grocery Outlet!

To the owners, managers, and staff who shared this campaign with every customer – thank you.

And to everyone who made a donation:

Thank you for helping keep the green bags and the spirit of community going strong.

The post Community Giving Grows at Grocery Outlet in Ashland appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

What better place to celebrate the Ashland Food Project’s 100 Green Bag pickups than at Ashland’s Fourth of July Parade?

On one of the community’s biggest days of the year, a giant green bag rolled down Main Street alongside volunteers, Neighborhood Coordinators, board members, and supporters—sharing a simple message that has guided the Food Project since 2009:

Building Community. Sharing Food.

The parade came just days after our 100th Green Bag pickup, a milestone that marked nearly sixteen years of neighbors helping neighbors. Together, Ashland donors have quietly built one of our community’s most remarkable traditions, placing a green bag on their doorstep every two months so it can be collected and delivered to the Ashland Community Food Bank.

This year’s 100th pickup collected 30,780 pounds of food, a reminder that even after one hundred pickups, the generosity of this community continues to grow.

Walking the parade route, we were met with smiles, waves, cheers, and conversations from people who recognized the familiar green bag. Some have been donors for years. Others remembered volunteering in the early days. Many stopped to ask how they could get involved.

That spirit of curiosity and generosity is exactly what has sustained the Food Project for nearly sixteen years.

The giant green bag riding proudly through downtown wasn’t just a parade float, it represented thousands of households, hundreds of volunteers, and countless acts of kindness that have nourished our neighbors over the years.

To everyone who walked with us, waved from the sidewalk, or simply smiled as we passed…

Thank you.

This milestone belongs to all of you.

As we celebrate the first 100 Green Bag pickups, we’re already looking ahead to the next 100. The need continues, but so does Ashland’s remarkable willingness to care for one another.

If you’ve ever thought about joining the Ashland Food Project, there’s never been a better time.

The post Keeping the Green Bags Rolling appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

Our 100th Green Bag pickup since our very first collection in 2009.

For nearly 15 years, every pickup day has told the same story, neighbors helping neighbors.

What began as a simple idea has become a lasting community tradition. Every two months, green bags appear on porches across Ashland, filled by donors who believe that everyone in our community should have access to food. Those bags are then collected by volunteers and delivered directly to the Ashland Community Food Bank.

One hundred pickups later, that simple act continues to make a remarkable impact.

Together, Ashland donors have helped provide millions of pounds of food to the Food Bank. Those donations have stocked shelves, supported families, helped seniors remain independent, and provided stability during times of uncertainty and change.

But this milestone is about more than food.

It celebrates the volunteers who pick up bags on cold mornings. The Neighborhood Coordinators who build connections block by block. The donors who quietly fill a bag every two months. The Food Bank volunteers who greet clients each day. And the wider Ashland community that continues to show up for one another.

The Ashland Food Project has always been built on the idea that small acts, repeated consistently, can create something powerful.

One green bag.
One pickup.
One neighbor helping another.

A hundred times over.

As we prepare for our June pickup, we invite the entire community to celebrate with us, those who have been part of the Food Project for years and those who are just learning about it.

Because while we’re celebrating the first 100 Green Bag Saturdays, we’re also looking ahead to the next 100.

Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you!

The post 100 Green Bag Saturdays: Celebrating an Ashland Tradition appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

As part of their grand opening celebration, local owners Jonathan and Jennifer Lawton presented AFP with a $1,000 donation to help keep our green bags moving and food flowing directly to the Ashland Community Food Bank. Their early commitment to local food security reflects the spirit of giving that defines our town.

We’re fortunate in Ashland to have grocery partners who understand that food security is a shared responsibility. When local businesses support the Food Project, they’re helping ensure that every green bag placed on a doorstep becomes part of something bigger – nourishment, dignity, and community care.

You can read more about Grocery Outlet’s opening and its impact on our community in the full ashland.news article here:

👉 New Grocery Outlet opens in south Ashland, drawing crowd and creating jobs

Please join us in welcoming Grocery Outlet to Ashland and in thanking all of our local grocery partners who help make this work possible.

Together, we’re building community by sharing food.

The post Welcoming Grocery Outlet to Ashland and to the Food Project Community appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

This morning, your generosity brought in a remarkable 35,594 pounds of food to the Ashland Community Food Bank (ACFB). On a cold, foggy December morning, our Neighborhood Coordinators made their rounds, gathering green bags from porches and doorsteps across town.

And that’s not all.

A Community That Shows Up

Last month, during the off-month between regularly scheduled pickups, you stepped up again. In response to the ongoing federal food aid reductions including the November end of expanded SNAP benefits our community rallied. Through grassroots organizing and direct drop-offs, you donated over 9,000 pounds of food to the Food Bank in November alone.

Ask A Friend: A Simple Idea, A Lasting Impact

This season also marked the launch of our Ask A Friend campaign, inviting donors to extend a hand to someone new – a friend, a neighbor, a coworker and bring them into the Ashland Food Project family.

Thanks to your efforts, we’ve welcomed approximately 120 new donors into the program. That’s 120 new green bags, collected every two months. 120 more ways to keep the shelves of the Food Bank full. And it’s not too late if someone you know might like to join, you can still sign them up today.

The Real Impact: Stories from the Food Bank

Throughout this campaign, we’ve shared real client stories, snapshots of lives changed by your giving.

To close out the year, we introduced readers to J and T, two Food Bank clients who know just how far a green bag can reach. J, facing a recent health diagnosis, and T, adjusting to retirement, find stability and dignity in the food support they receive:

“We’ve had to rely on the Food Bank more than we ever imagined,” J said.

“There’s just no judgment when we walk through those doors,” T added. “The volunteers make us feel like we matter.”

These stories are powerful reminders that your donations translate directly into full pantries, warm meals, and peace of mind for hundreds of neighbors in need.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to say thank you.

Whether you fill a green bag, make deliveries, organize your neighborhood, or support this work behind the scenes, you make it all happen.

From all of us at the Ashland Food Project,

Thank you for your commitment, time, and generosity.

Let’s keep this spirit going into the new year.

The post A Season of Generosity: Closing Out 2025 with Gratitude and Hope appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

The post Meeting the Moment: Why Your Green Bag Matters More Than Ever appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

Now, it’s time to grow that good.

What Is “Ask a Friend”?

Ask a Friend is our new community-powered initiative to keep the Food Project strong and sustainable. While we currently have a dedicated base of over 2,400 food donors, we naturally lose a few each year due to life transitions like moving or aging. To keep our impact steady and even expand it, we’re reaching out to the heart of this movement…you.

Each current donor is encouraged to invite someone in their circle to join the Food Project. A friend, a neighbor, a coworker, a fellow parent at the soccer game, this is about extending the invitation to be part of something simple, local, and impactful.

How Does It Work?

If you’re a current donor, you likely noticed a bright green Ask a Friend card on your doorknob during the October pickup. The front of the card includes talking points to help you start the conversation, and the back includes a space to jot down contact info for your potential new donor.

Once you’ve got a yes, head to the sign-up form and enter their information directly. We ask that you do this step yourself, so there’s no delay or uncertainty about getting them into the system and welcomed properly.

Why This Matters

The Ashland Community Food Bank currently serves more than 1,200 people every month, a number that continues to rise. From families facing short-term crises to seniors on fixed incomes, the need is growing. In 2024 alone, the Food Bank distributed over 672,000 pounds of food and nearly 30% of that came from Ashland Food Project donors.

By inviting just one more person to join, you help secure the future of this vital resource for Ashland.

Not a Donor Yet? We’d Love to Have You.

You don’t have to wait for someone to ask you. If you’re learning about the Food Project for the first time, or you’ve been meaning to sign up, now is the perfect moment. Just fill out the quick form to get started.

It’s More Than a Green Bag

It’s a movement rooted in kindness, consistency, and community. Thank you to all our donors, and especially to our 125 Neighborhood Coordinators who help keep this engine running. You make Ashland stronger, one bag, one friend, and one act of generosity at a time.

The post Grow the Green Bag Movement: Join the Ask a Friend Campaign appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

A Toast to Community

Panache and Gusto is a new summer pop-up from co-owners Georgina Ruff and Megita Denton, bringing together small-production wines, female-driven labels, and stories that celebrate sustainability and artistry. Their mission aligns beautifully with our own: to build a stronger, more connected community, one neighbor at a time.

During our special evening, 10% of all proceeds from the bar (5:00–10:00 PM) will be generously donated to the Ashland Food Project, directly supporting our efforts to fight hunger and strengthen food security in our region.

What to Expect

This isn’t your typical fundraiser. There are no speeches or presentations, no tables or banners. Instead, this is about neighbors talking to neighbors over a glass of wine. AFP representatives will be there from 6:00–8:00 PM, sharing what we do and how easy it is to get involved. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just curious, we’d love to chat.

We’ll have some informational cards and door hangers on hand if you want to take something with you – or pass it along to a friend.

Why It Matters

At the Ashland Food Project, we believe that small actions like putting out a green bag every two months can lead to big change. Events like this help us grow our network, reach new neighbors, and continue the vital work of keeping the Ashland Community Food Bank well-stocked.

Come out, bring a friend, and enjoy a glass of thoughtfully chosen wine for a good cause.

We’ll see you there!

Event Details:

📍 Panache and Gusto

@ Le Petit Café Crêperie

10 Water Street, Downtown Ashland

📅 Thursday, June 26

🕕 6:00–8:00 PM (AFP hosted hours)

🍷 Bar open from 5:00 PM – late

Want to learn more about Panache and Gusto? Check out their feature on Ashland.news.

Thank you for supporting local food security and local wine!

The post Sip for a Cause: Join Us at Panache & Gusto for a Special Evening Benefiting the Ashland Food Project appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

Together, they examine the causes behind the region’s growing food insecurity — from rising housing costs and inflation to the lingering aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation offers a candid glimpse into how increasing demand is stretching community resources while also inspiring innovation. Amey and Anna share how their organizations are responding, highlighting solutions like mobile meal delivery, community food hubs, and collaborative partnerships across the valley.

🎧 Listen to the full interview here

The post Hunger in the Rogue Valley: Local Leaders Tackle Rising Food Insecurity appeared first on Ashland Food Project.

Our community is fed because of your kind action! Thank you!!!!! ACFB has been independent and fortunate to remain vibrant because of the generosity of friends and neighbors for 53 years.

ACFB is committed and actively strategizing to best meet the coming wave of need. We are grateful for the bedrock of your support.

Out of sincere concern for our ability to meet the needs of our community, many are asking if we are being impacted by executive orders and federal funding cuts. I thought I would take this opportunity to share how ACFB fits into the current landscape. Thankfully, we have zero dependence on federal dollars. We are in a “stable” position, for now, compared to many.

However, anything that impacts access to food, affects food costs, job security, and/or cost of living, will have an impact on how many people need our help. For example, when SNAP (food stamps) benefits were reduced 2 years ago as COVID relief programs expired, we saw a 100% increase in demand within 30 days, and food insecurity has been climbing ever since.

Out of sincere concern for our ability to meet the needs of our community, many are asking if we are being impacted by executive orders and federal funding cuts. I thought I would take this opportunity to share how ACFB fits into the current landscape. Thankfully, we have zero dependence on federal dollars. We are in a “stable” position, for now, compared to many.

However, anything that impacts access to food, affects food costs, job security, and/or cost of living, will have an impact on how many people need our help. For example, when SNAP (food stamps) benefits were reduced 2 years ago as COVID relief programs expired, we saw a 100% increase in demand within 30 days, and food insecurity has been climbing ever since.

Therefore, the program cuts made by our federal administration will eventually affect ACFB. In late March, the Trump administration put a halt to 500 million federal dollars of food deliveries committed to food banks nationally. In this, the Oregon Food Bank lost food that supplies ACCESS (among other agencies), who serve Southern Oregon/Ashland/Talent. The administration plans to cut SNAP and WIC (feeds low income women w children), undermine housing security with cuts to HUD, threatening Medicare, and many other social services. As safety nets thin, economic disparity grows increasing need.

As identified by the United Way, 44% of Ashlanders do not have the opportunity to earn enough, despite being employed, to meet foundational costs of living. In addition, nearly 18% live below the poverty line. Many in our community need help affording basic expenses so they can show up for their job (transportation childcare), and have a roof over their heads. When we provide food, funds can then be used for critical expenses like rent, childcare and healthcare.

ACFB is very fortunate to have the foundation of Ashland Food Project. And as you are hearing, we will be impacted as many in our community struggle with greater economic disadvantage because of federal actions.

ACFB is committed and actively strategizing to best meet the coming wave of need. We are grateful for the bedrock of your support.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~Helen Keller

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