June 19 is Juneteenth—the day on which, in 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free. We’re pleased to announce that the co-op will be doing something special for the Black community in honor of Juneteenth. We have selected Oregon Black Pioneers as our next Change for Community recipient. In July, you can help us raise funds by rounding up or donating pocket change.
Meantime, we’re sharing more information about Juneteenth as well as recipes so you can commemorate the event with your own Juneteenth picnic or cookout. Click here to learn more.
Grilling season is upon us and we’re giving away a new grill to one lucky winner! Cook delicious co-op foods outdoors on this Weber Premium Charcoal Grill from City Lumber (value $175). Enter here for your chance to win.
Update: Contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Vange Alderman!
Update: The co-op does not intend to verify vaccination status at this time and will continue requiring masks for everyone over two years of age. We appreciate your continued cooperation wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth and keeping six-feet of distance between shoppers and staff.
The Oregon Health Authority said businesses that remove mask and physical distancing requirements must seek proof of Covid-19 vaccination. Our staff does not have capacity to monitor the inoculation status of all our shoppers. Under OHA rules, that means we need to continue masking up.
Since the CDC and State of Oregon recently eased mask guidelines, we’ve heard mostly positive feedback about keeping the co-op’s mask policy in place. The co-op has maintained a safe shopping and work environment throughout the pandemic and plans to gradually unwind pandemic protocols.
Please direct any feedback on this issue to General Manager Matt Stanley at [email protected]. Thanks for your cooperation!
Take a break from cooking and enjoy lunch or dinner from our burrito bar! There’s something for everyone, including vegan, gluten-free and low-carb options. We’re all about quality ingredients, including 100% organic produce.
The grab-n-go burritos are available in the hot case, or you can build a custom burrito, bowl, salad or tacos.
We now have a burrito bar punch card! Buy 9 and get the 10th free. This applies to one burrito, one bowl, four tacos, or $10+ worth of ala carte. Pick up your order from the burrito bar – or a prepared burrito from the hot case – and then ask your cashier for a punch card at checkout.
Top Chef premiers April 1 and a scene from the new season was filmed at our co-op! The show will be set in Portland and chef contestants will take on challenges throughout the region including crabbing on the Oregon coast. The show airs on Bravo and streams on Hulu. Click here for more information.
Food buying habits have changed over the last year. People are not grocery shopping as frequently and one of the biggest challenges is keeping those produce perishables fresh. Help protect sensitive produce with this Produce Storage Guide and of course, don’t hesitate to ask a produce staff person for tips.
Beginning March 22, Co+op Curbside will be available weekdays only Monday–Friday with pickup times throughout the day.
Your co-op continues to adapt, providing the community with groceries in a pandemic. A good sign that the situation is improving could be decreased demand for curbside pickup. Co+op Curbside regulars are getting COVID-19 vaccines and feel safe resuming in-store shopping.
In response, we are reducing curbside pickup from seven days a week to weekdays only. Over the next few months we will closely monitor the situation and consider adjusting more. If this trend continues, we could eventually phase out the curbside pickup program.
Costs and space are long-term obstacles to curbside pickup. The need to offer the service arose from the pandemic, but with no dedicated space to process orders, we’ve been using our dining area to weigh, bag and store groceries. We look forward to a time when we can reopen this space.
Your co-op has been offering curbside pickup as a free community service during the pandemic. We are proud of our team for safely providing groceries to everyone including our community’s most vulnerable citizens. We have maintained “hero” pay thanks to your support—shopping online and in the store.
We welcome your questions and comments regarding the curbside pickup program. You can contact our general manager Matt Stanley at [email protected] or marketing director Zetty Nemlowill at [email protected]. We look forward to serving you!
Our renewable energy project is coming to fruition, generating clean, renewable energy, and helping power our community-owned grocery store. This week we are completing installation of a rooftop solar array.
The co-op is the first retailer in the region to add a solar—an environmental and economical investment. The 51 kilowatt solar array will generate about a third of the co-op’s electricity, resulting in an estimated $500 per month savings. As energy costs increase, the savings will be significant: one estimate shows the co-op will save nearly $1 million in electrical bills over 25 years.
Co-op General Manager Matt Stanley
“We’re excited to model how a coastal business can successfully take advantage of solar energy,” co-op general manager Matt Stanley said. “This project reflects the cooperative model’s emphasis on environmental stewardship as well as the power of people coming together to make something extraordinary happen.”
The total cost is approximately $200,000 and includes a variety of funding sources in addition to our own capital. The co-op worked with Elemental Energy to install the system and secure grants. Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program participants were instrumental in the project happening.
“It is always a great day when we can partner with a small business like Astoria Co+op, to help power a brighter future for the community,” said Alisa Dunlap, regional business manager at Pacific Power. “We’re pleased that through our Blue Sky program Pacific Power customers can nurture more renewable power and support the goals of local schools, libraries and community centers and other essential services.”
Blue Sky is an opt-in program that gives Pacific Power customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint while supporting the development of new renewable energy. Through Blue Sky customers can also invest in qualifying, renewable energy projects for community-serving organizations. Since 2006, Pacific Power Blue Sky Block participants have supported more than 120 community-based solar, wind, geothermal and renewable energy projects across Pacific Power’s service area.
Just a few of the approximately 120 panels that will be on the co-op rooftop.
We will have to complete the inspection process before the solar system is up and running. Once that happens, we will have a monitoring page so you can see in real time how much power the solar project is generating. Stay tuned for more information!
You don’t need a Mardi Gras parade to let the good times roll! Try this Jambalaya to spice up your day. Jambalaya is one of the most celebrated dishes of Louisiana. Similar to Spain’s paella, Jambalaya was originally created as a way to use up leftovers. Don’t wait for leftovers, though, to enjoy this delicious fusion of flavors! Check out the recipe.
