HOLIDAY 2021 VOLUME No. 3
Fill Your Holidays with Happiness
JUMP IN
WINTER 2021 VOLUME No. 3
WHAT’S INSIDE THE ISSUE
The WINTER Issue
03
Stay a While
14
From the Board
Community Accessible Nutrition
22
Highly Recommend Gift Guice
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04
The Real Deal: Co-op Ownership
YUM!
Holiday Recipes to Try at Home
grants Here & Now
15
Community Grants
DIY Bath Bombs
16
In Our Circle AFC Gives
24
Good, Clean Fun
06
Coming Up 2022
26
12
A Bright Idea
FAQs About Eggs
20
Harvest Report Winter Citrus
28
Gingerbread Cookie & Frosting Recipe
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
STAY A WHILE
I have been reflecting recently on the people in my life - my family, friends and neighbors (virtual and otherwise!) - and I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t been through a lot lately. We all seem to have been affected by worry about loved ones, isolation, climate crisis, and other challenges. I’ve also been submerged into deep feelings of gratitude for the way life has gone right lately. I am grateful for each of you. I am grateful to see many of you each day, for the smiling eyes and greetings we share. I’m so grateful for all of the ways we’ve come to be stronger together. I’m grateful that despite the distress we’ve experienced, we’ve been able to look beyond our concerns, imagine a new way forward, and overcome so many obstacles in service to our shared values. If at any point you’ve questioned the importance of our collective resilience, please know: Our work matters. It matters to the farmers who grow our food. It matters to the workers and volunteers at all the organizations we support. It matters to Co-op owners and community members who rely on our store to provide access to delicious, local food in a safe and caring environment. It matters to our employees as we strive to bring our best every day, be there for each other, and return home as our healthiest selves to our friends and families. Thank you for supporting a grocery store that matters to our community. One that is owned and governed by the community it resides in and is so grateful to be a part of. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. Gratefully,
Emile Amarotico General Manager ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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Should you become a Co-op Owner?
START
Are you already a Co-op Owner? Yes!
Fresh, high quality ingredients
No
I’m having friends over for dinner. At the store, I buy...
When I’m shopping...
I like to get a deal
Whatever I see first
I act like money grows on trees
Important, as long as they’re also convenient
Useless
Feeling connected to community is a ____ feeling.
Life would be easier if someone vetted and recommended the best products for me.
Life would be easier if someone vetted and recommended the best products for me.
I see sustainability initiatives as...
Crucial
Nothing. They will have to fend for themselves
Neutral
Yes
No
What is a fun Saturday morning activity?
Shopping at the Co-op!
No
I love supporting local farmers
Why do you like it there?
YAY! You’re already an owner! Maybe it is time to consider getting even more involved. Join a committee or run for the board
I throw rotten eggs at tourists
Are you already a Co-op Owner? Yes
Yes
Yes, become an owner! You’ll love receiving owner coupons, an annual dividend, education, & more!
Littering
Walking through the farmer’s market
Fantastic
Are you already a Co-op Owner?
Yes
No
No, it doesn’t seem like ownership would be a great fit for you. You’re welcome to shop at the Co-op any time!
No
January 2022
$5 OFF $25 or more
January through February 2022 10% OFF one entire purchase
March 2022
$5 OFF $25 or more
April 2022
$5 OFF $25 or more
May 2022
$5 OFF $25 or more
May through June 2022 10% OFF one entire purchase
July 2022
$5 OFF $25 or more
August 2022
$5 OFF $25 or more
September 2022 $5 OFF $25 or more
September through October 2022 10% OFF one entire purchase
November 2022 $5 OFF $25 or more
December 2022
The Real Deal: Co-op Ownership
Owner Coupons
$5 OFF $25 or more
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
Cranberry COSMOPOLITAN
2oz of good vodka 3oz of cranberry juice 1oz of orange liqueur, such as Cointreau 1/2 lime squeezed Ice Cocktail shaker Combine ingredients and shake Rim Trim - lime juice and sugar Optional: garnish with a lime peel or fresh cranberries
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER PAGE 7
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Winter Citrus
NEGRONI
Ingredients 1 oz gin 1 oz sweet vermouth 1 oz Campari ½ satsuma mandarin juice Several dashes of King Floyd’s Bitters Stir and serve over ice. Optional garnish: cranberries and blood orange peel. ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER PAGE 8 PAGE 8
Cranberry Cardamom
OLD FASHIONED COCKTAIL 1 tsp of granular sugar or 1 sugar cube 3 dashes of King Floyd’s Cardamom Bitters .5 oz of water 1.5 oz Rye or Tennessee whiskey splash of cranberry juice ice peel of Satsuma mandarin or orange of your choice Shake and serve over ice in a lowball glass. Optional: garnish with fresh cranberry and a sprig of rosemary
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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Winter Citrus
PALOMA
Ingredients 2oz silver tequila or mezcal .5 oz lime juice or 1/2 fresh lime squeezed 2oz of Grapefruit juice or squeeze one whole grapefruit 3oz ginger ale Rim trim - lime juice with salt and smoked paprika Layer juice and tequila into a highball, then add ice and pour soda on top. Optional garnish: a slice of fresh grapefruit
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
Follow us
to see Chris craft cocktails with our favorite ingredients!
@AshlandFoodCoop
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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A BRIGHT IDEA
FAQ’s about
eggs
What is an organic egg? Organic eggs are from chickens that are fed an entirely organic diet (typically organic grain and organic pasture).
Why are my egg shells thin?
Older chickens tend to lay larger eggs. The shells of the larger eggs contain generally the same amount of calcium as the young hen’s eggs, but because of their size, the result is a thinner shell.
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
Unless otherwise specified, eggs in typical grocery stores in the United States were probably laid by chickens that spend their entire lives in cages where they might not even see daylight and eat only corn or soy. At the Ashland Food Co-op, we offer eggs from farms that go above and beyond this standard… But the labels on all chicken’s eggs can be hard to keep straight if you aren’t sure what they mean.
• • • • • • • • • Cage-Free Hens that lay ‘cage-free’ eggs are not confined to a cage, but probably spend their life inside of a barn consuming mostly a corn or soy-based diet.
Free-Range • • • • • • • • •
According to USDA standards, Free Range chickens have access to the outdoors but there is no minimum space requirement. Human Farm Animal Care's "Certified Humane" label may be given to Free Range birds that have at least 2 square feet of outdoor space per bird for 6 or more hours daily. Go to certifiedhumane.org to read more about these standards.
• • • • • • • • • Pasture Raised
Pasture raised hens are let out in the morning to roam and called back in at nightfall. During the day, they snack on grass and grubs at their leisure, giving them a protein-rich and pleasureful diet. Pasture raised birds have at least 108 sq feet of outdoor space each.
Why shop local?
At the Ashland Food Co-op, we carry Granny’s Eggs from Jacksonville, Poetentail Farms from Klamath Falls, and Lehman’s Eggs located right here in Ashland. All of our local egg options are small flocks and pasture raised. Less miles traveled = fresher food!
Chicken Treat Recipe
Ingredients Backyard apples - 4 to 6 medium sized apples. Rough chopped 2 cups of almond or all purpose flour 2 eggs 1 cup of rolled oats 1/2 sunflower seeds Veggie/fruit/seafood scraps - rough chopped but small enough for chicken beaks. I used shrimp shells and celery base. Chickens love salmon/fish skin too!
Instructions 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 2) Mix with hands 3) Spray baking sheet or line with parchment paper. 4) Bake for 20-30 minutes. Let cool 5) Break apart like you are cracking your sheer pan of granola. Yes, this is granola for your sweet Henny Pennies! They deserve it! They feed our family with magical golden yokes and nutritious egg whites.
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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From the
Board Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op and deserves to have access to organic, healthy, and affordable foods. The Ashland Food Co-op’s CAN program strives to support economically challenged Co-op owners by offering a discount to eligible families and individuals in need. C.A.N. participants will receive an everyday 5% discount throughout the store. Enrollment is simple! Visit our website at ashlandfood.coop/can or stop by the Information Desk for an application. Must be an Ashland Food Co-op Owner Must provide current enrollment documentation for one of the programs listed below (dated within a year of today’s date) o SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; also known as EBT) o TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) o WIC (Women, Infants & Children) o Medicaid o SSI (Supplemental Security Income) o SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) o HUD (Housing and Urban Development) o HTBA (Home Tenant-Based Assistance) o Section 8 Assistance
Once your application has been reviewed and approved, the 5% C.A.N. discount will be associated with your ownership. The discount will be automatically applied at the registers during checkout. Annual Enrollment is one year from the application date. Please provide an email address and you will be notified of your renewal deadline a month before it expires. Please re-enroll before the deadline to avoid interruption of your discount benefit. PAGE 14
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
HERE & NOW grants Congratulations to our 2021 Community Grants recipients
EA
BA CK
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
GI V
Each year, we set aside a percentage of sales from the previous year to fund our Community Grants program. In 2021, we have awarded a total of $23,502 to 17 organizations. These funds support local projects that align with our vision of enhancing health and enriching the community while promoting our mission to provide education about food, the environment, nutrition, and health.
RS
Asante Foundation Ashland High Arts Advocates - Ashland High School Ashland Rotary Foundation Ashland Schools Foundation - Ashland Middle School Ashland Schools Foundation - Bellview Food Forest Bee Girl Be the Change Rogue - Rogue To Go Emerging Futures Network Folk Soul Farm Heart Rising Foundation Jackson County Library Foundation Josephine County Food Bank La Clinica “Happy Smiles” Pollinator Project Rogue Valley Rogue Action Center St Vincent de Paul Walker Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization
F O R OV E R
25
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In Our Circle AFC Gives is the philanthropic arm of the Ashland Food Co-op. Nothing means more to us than contributing to the health and strength of our community. To build upon this mission we have developed two funding programs to support the good work that is happening in our community: Change for Good and Community Grants.
What are Community Grants?
grants
Each year for over two decades, we set aside a small percentage of sales from the previous year to fund the Community Grants Program. These funds support local projects that align with our vision of enhancing health and enriching the community while promoting our mission to provide education about food, the environment, nutrition, and health. Community Grants fund projects by organizations that offer food and/or supportive services for people in need; educational programs focused on food, nutrition, and health; environmental stewardship; and education on the environment or environmental sustainability. See the ‘Here and Now’ section of this issue of 1st St Beet for a list of 2021’s Community Grant recipients.
What is Change for Good?
2020 was the first year of the Change for Good partnership, a register round-up program to benefit a monthly slate of organizations, voted on by Co-op owners, through the cumulative donations of shoppers choosing to round-up their shopping total to the nearest dollar. Change for Good partners are nonprofit organizations that work in support of five priorities: equity, diversity, and inclusion; basic needs (housing, food, shelter, clothing, and more); climate resiliency and sustainability; healthy food; and culture. From one cent to 99 cents, it all adds up to feeling good about supporting the community. PAGE 16
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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In our circle cont. The AFC Gives committee is made of board members, members of our staff, and owner-volunteers. We’re so grateful to our owner-volunteers who commit their time and care to the responsibilities of this committee: As a newcomer to Ashland, serving as an owner-volunteer member of the AFC Gives committee has been a terrific way to learn about many local non-profit organizations working on social and environmental issues that are important to me. Unlike funders located far away, AFC is part of the community, and I appreciate the professional way the committee evaluates proposals to ensure we treat each organization with caring and respect. AFC Gives committee members work hard to understand exactly what each organization is trying to do, how the Co-op can be a good partner, and if there may be other ways we can help the community. One way the Co-op has been able to do more is by adding the Change for Good partnership program, now in its second year. Under the Change for Good program, AFC features a different local non-profit each month and gives shoppers an opportunity to round up their shopping bill to support the organization's work. All together, I'm proud of how our Co-op, owned and directed locally, is a force for good in our community and advances the cooperative economy in the valley. - Bob K. AFC Gives Committee Member PAGE 18
I have been a member of the Ashland Food Coop since I moved to Southern Oregon in 2007. As a (former) local organic farmer, customer, and community member, I have always loved the Co-op and the ways that it promotes community. Being on the AFC Gives committee has given me insight into organizations in our area that I wasn't aware of and allowed me to participate in sustaining these organizations. It has also given me an inside look into how much the Co-op works to live up to its mission and vision. It is not just a store that provides healthy food, it is also a cooperative that understands and cares for the community in which it operates. As AFC Gives grows, we are able to provide more support to more organizations. It is inspiring to be able to contribute in different ways- from the project-based support of the Community Grants to the organizational support of Change for Good. I feel honored to be able to participate and help facilitate that process, but ultimately am humbled by how much support the Co-op and the community want to give back. -Aria B. AFC Gives Committee Member
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
Citrus Season is Here
Community Owned Grocery, Kitchen and Bakery 237 N. First St. Ashland, Oregon • (541) 482-2237 ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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Winter Citrus
HARVEST REPORT with help from our friends at Organic Grown Co.
Triple Cross Mandarins
(February-March) Mild Acid | Juicy, Sweet | Fresh Eating, Juicing Seeds: No Easy Peeling: Yes The TDE Triple Cross Mandarin is a triple cross between Temple Tangor, Dancy mandarin and Encore mandarin. AKA a Shasta/Yosemite/Tahoe. This firm fruit is small with juicy flesh that’s very sweet, savory and rich. TDE mandarins peel and section well. Another classic favorite in the mandarin category, you can’t beat its attributes: high sugar, high juice, excellent flavor and mild acid.
Satsuma Mandarin
(November-February) Balanced Acidity | High Sugar, Sweet | Fresh Eating Seeds: Mostly Seedless Easy Peeling: Yes Satsuma mandarins have a red-orange, leathery, oily peel known as “zipper skin” that clings so loosely it can be torn off in just a few pieces. Satsuma mandarins are fragrant, juicy, sweet and one of the most popular citrus varieties.
Cara Cara Navel Oranges
(December-April) Mild Acid/Sweet | Juicing, Fresh Eating Seeds: No Easy Peeling: No Likely a cross between a Washington and a Brazilian Bahia Navel. Extraordinary Cara Cara oranges boast vivid salmon-colored flesh. Some describe its balanced flavor as a perfect blend of tangerine and grapefruit; others note a mild strawberry to cranberry-like finish. Size varies from small and medium to large. Great for eating fresh. It was discovered in Valencia, Venezuela.
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
Navel Oranges
(November-May) Less Juicy | Good Eating Seeds: No Easy Peeling: Yes There are several varieties sold as a classic navel orange. Fukomoto, Robertson, Skaggs, Bonaza and Riverside are a few. The common orange cultivar that graces our home countertops is the seedless, flavorful, and easy-to-peel sweet navel orange. Unlike other orange varieties, you can quickly tell navels apart because of the navel-like formation found at one end of the fruit.
Melogold Grapefruit
(January) Mild Acidity | Sweet, Juicy Fresh Eating Seed: Few Cross between a pummelo and a Marsh grapefruit. Named for its “mellow” flavor and lower acidity, and “gold” for its deep rind color. Related to Oro Blanco grapefruit, this fruit has a smooth rind and pale yellow flesh that’s mild and sweet like a pummelo, but with slight lemon notes. While very juicy, Melogold may have a slight bitterness.
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Gift Guide
LUA Skincare Products Wild Carrot Herbals Huckleberry Hemp Lip Balm
All Good Goop Fat and the Moon Ruby Red
Hand Crafted Healing Balm
Tinted Balm
Olivia Moss The Scrunchie Bar
Happiness for your Hair
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Booda Butter Moisturizing Soap Suds of Love
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
DID SOMEONE SAY
Gift Basket? Quady North Spirit of Solstice 375 ml.
Hellenic Farms Fig Salami
Pistachio Cinnamon Orange Zest Pepper 6.4 oz.
Bequet Confections Caramels Hand Crafted 4 oz.
St. Christopher Gluhwein 1 liter
Rustic Bakery Crackers
Various Flavors Available 6 oz.
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
Pacific Hazelnut Farms Oregon Hazelnuts 16 oz.
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Good Clean Fun ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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DIY Winter BATH BOMBS
This recipe is so relaxing and surprisingly straightforward. The result is an affordable and unique bath bomb, perfect for gifting or saving for a self-care day.
Ingredients
All purchased from the Ashland Food Co-op!
¼ cup citric acid ¼ cup corn starch (alternative: arrowroot powder) ½ cup baking soda 1 Tablespoon carrier oil (castor oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and others) ½-1 teaspoon skin-safe essential oil (peppermint + vanilla + orange is a seasonally celebratory scent combination) Optional add-ins: ¼ cup Epsom salt, dried lavender, dried rose petals, dried orange zest, ribbon loop (press into the mold with the mixture to create an ornament), colloidal oats Mold such as silicone chocolate/candy mold, a regular or mini muffin tin, clear plastic craft spherical ornament, ice tray, plastic easter egg, or use your hands to form a ‘snowball’ Storage container such as a glass jar or reusable silicone bag
Instructions
1) As with baking, you’re going to begin by combining your dry ingredients in one bowl, and wet ingredients in another. Whisk the dry ingredients together for a smoother mixing experience. Break up any clumps in the baking soda with your fingers or a sifter. 2) Slowly begin to incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry. If you add too much liquid at once, the final product will lose its fizziness, possibly crumble, or resist holding its shape. The texture you’re aiming for is similar to mildly damp sand. Give a handful of the mixture a tight squeeze in your fist as you mix; if the shape holds when you relax your grip, it is ready to press into a mold. 3) Fill your mold as tightly as possible. Let it set for a bit inside the mold, then tap it out onto a drying surface. (Note: you may also leave them to dry in the mold overnight.) When they have all finished drying, store your bath bombs in a sealed container that will not let in moisture.
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
COMING UP JANUARY TO FEBRUARY, 2022 January January January January January January
1 3 17 27 31
February February 1 February 2 February 14
February 21
New Year’s Day 2022 CAN Program Benefits Activate (See From the Board for details) Martin Luther King Jr. Day International Holocaust Remembrance Day Hot Chocolate Day
Black History Month 2022 “Black Health & Wellness” Chinese New Year Groundhog Day 50th Anniversary of the Ashland Food Co-op. Let the celebration begin! Happy Birthday, Oregon! Valentine’s Day President’s Day
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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Gingerbread COOKIES
Adapted from King Authur Flour’s recipe
Ingredients
Instructions continued...
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup brown sugar, packed ¾ cup molasses 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 ½ cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground ginger ¼ teaspoon allspice or cloves 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
3) Divide the dough in half and place on parchment paper. Wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to several days). 4) Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. 5) Once the dough has chilled, roll out dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Use gluten free flour to flour the parchment paper above and below the dough. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking. Roll out dough to ⅛” to ¼ ” thick.
1) Beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg, molasses and vanilla extract, mix until smooth. 2) Whisk together all dry ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, mixing by hand.
6) Dip your cookie cutter in some flour and then cut out shapes. You can re-roll the scraps to cut more cookies. 7) Transfer the cookies to your parchment lined baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are slightly brown along the edges (10 to 12 minutes). Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet until they are set.
Instructions
1) Slowly add confectioners sugar one cup at a time to softened butter.
BEST VANILLA FROSTING
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter soft 3 cup confectioners sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbs half and half Optional: Add natural food dye for the desired color
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2) When creamy add vanilla. 3) If desired add natural dye. 4) This frosting can be stored in the refrigerator or use immediately. Other Comments: We recommend using Color Kitchen's natural food dye. Color Kitchen's rainbow of colors are sourced from nature, contain non-gmo ingredients, and come in easy-to-use packets.
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER
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ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP • 1ST STREET BEET NEWSLETTER