Record Donation

by

Since Change for Community’s inception a little more than a year ago, the co-op has raised more than $16,000 for local non-profits.

We raised more than $4,700 to donate to three local non-profits in the second quarter of 2019 through our Change for Community program. This includes the co-op’s biggest donation ever: $2,000 to Wildlife Center of the North Coast.

The wildlife center takes in injured, orphaned or sick native wildlife with a goal of rehabilitating the animals and releasing them back into their natural habitat. The organization relies on donations, fundraisers and grants to provide veterinary care, food, supplies and facilities maintenance. 

“It is comforting and inspiring to know that we have that kind of support locally,” Executive Director Joshua Saranpaa said.

Change for Community provides funds for local nonprofits and incentivizes the use of reusable bags. There are three ways for shoppers to contribute: bringing a bag and donating their bean (token worth 5¢), rounding up purchases to the nearest dollar and sharing pocket change.

Three non-profits are selected to be Change for Community recipients each quarter and each month, one gets a turn to be the round up recipient. In addition to the wildlife center, the co-op also raised $1,370 for Camp Kiwanilong and $1,382 for Astoria Parks, Recreation & Community Foundation during April-June.

 “A healthy planet and a strong community are important to the co-op and we’re grateful for the support of our shoppers in allowing us to make a real impact that goes beyond selling groceries,” Marketing Director Zetty Nemlowill said.

Since Change for Community’s inception a little more than a year ago, the co-op has raised more than $16,000 for local non-profits. The co-op has also incentivized the use of more than 66,000 reusable bags. For more information and/or to apply for your organization to become a Change for Community recipient, click here.

We have a floor

by
Here’s our new concrete floor. It took 24 mixer trucks to complete. All the necessary electrical and plumbing had to be put in place first. We’re eager to get started on interior construction!

Look inside

by

There’s lots of work happening from the ground up at our new store site. The finishing touches are going on the roof, including the infrastructure needed for solar panel installation later. Inside, the clock ticks to complete the portions of plumbing and electric work that needs to happen before the big concrete floor pour next Friday. Take a look:

Spring Owner Appreciation

by

May 12-18, 2019
Save up to 20% on a shopping trip

What better day to kick off our spring owner appreciation week than Mother’s Day and the start of the Astoria Sunday Market? It’s a great time to stock up on favorites and try new items. Co-op owners save up to 20% on a shopping trip May 12-18.

Here’s how it works:

  • Spend less than $100, get 10% off
  • Spend $100-$149, get 15% off
  • Spend $150 or more, get 20% off

Enjoy special food and drink tastings with local producers and vendors. See our calendar for tastings times.

Not a current co-op owner? It’s easy to join! Learn more…

Please note: equity must be up-to-date to receive discount, which applies to items in stock and does not stack with case discounts.

Store Takes Shape

by

Here’s the first look inside our new store!

The walls and roof trusses are now up, revealing the scale of our new space. We’ll continue to share updates as we reach milestones. Meantime, connecting with your co-op on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to see frequent construction progress posts.

Our general manger, Matt Stanley, attends weekly construction meetings (he took this photo). As you can imagine, it takes a lot of planning and coordination among engineers, local sub-contractors and everyone involved in making sure construction goes smoothly.

What’s next? Over the next few weeks, the roof will go on as well as underground plumbing before the slab (foundation) gets poured. Also, we’ll be putting in a new sidewalk that goes along Steam Whistle Way.

Board Election 2019

by

There are three seats with terms ending this year and each member is seeking re-election. Co-op owners can vote at our annual meeting on May 5. including the following:

Andrea Larson Perez

Board President Andrea Larson Perez with Astoria Mayor Bruce Jones and General Manager Matt Stanley at our groundbreaking event in January 2019.

About four years ago, I was happy to become a member of the co-op Board of Directors after working at the co-op for three years as a part-time cashier. I have witnessed and been a part of the fastest growth period our co-op has enjoyed in its 45-year history. About the time I joined the Board, the organization was beginning to take steps toward expansion. It has been a joy to be a part of the entire process from visioning, strategic planning and community engagement right up to today when you can visit the site and see the walls going up!

Recently, I was honored to accept the position as Board President. I’d like to ask for your vote to continue serving in this role to see the expansion project through to completion, and on to executing our organizational goals to expand the good work of the Astoria Co+op for years to come! As a Board member, I work to be a good listener who is open and responsive.

I have more than 30 years’ experience in marketing, advertising and public relations, including positions with local newspapers and healthcare providers as well as offering consulting services to local businesses. My husband and I have lived in Astoria since 1998, raised our two sons here and plan to stay! 

Todd Holm

Todd Holm

I have been a board member since October of 2015 and have truly enjoyed helping make our co-op the go-to grocery store in Astoria. My background in banking, specifically working with businesses, gives me knowledge to share with our dynamic group as we get closer to opening the new store. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished in making this shared vision a reality. I am most proud of helping raise the capital that we needed to get our new store under construction.

My wife, Lyuba and I have been here since early 2009 and love our community and all that this area has to offer. Some of my favorite activities are fishing, clamming, crabbing and foraging for mushrooms and this area has an abundance of all that!

I am seeking another term so that I can continue our work of making Astoria Co+op the greatest community food store around as well as seeing this new store project through completion.

Allie Evans

Allie Evans

I was first introduced to the idea of cooperative living while in college in Ann Arbor, MI.  I began living, shopping and working cooperatively and the rest was history. I have been on the Board of Astoria Co+op for the past decade, serving as both a member and as president. It is with joy that I handed over the presidency this year, and am able to take a different role but still be an active member of the Board. It has been so fulfilling to be a part of the new store from the stage of a seed in the soil until this stage of seeing walls being constructed.

As a physician, I see how people suffer when they are disconnected from their tribe and sense of community. Working toward a more cooperative world is something I think can have profound change at the level of the individual as well as the world.

Something that brings me great joy, is seeing a group of unique individuals come together with a common goal and work in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, open-mindedness and active listening.  Being a part of the Board embraces this type of human interaction and beauty. It reminds me that we can make amazing things happen when we build each other up and believe in and honor one another. 

Bulk Sale

by

In honor of Earth Day, we’re promoting zero-waste shopping! Save 20% on bulk foods, coffee, spices and soaps Friday & Saturday, April 19-20. Stock up and save on essential ingredients, pantry staples and all your favorite snacks. Buying in bulk is great for your budget and the environment, since there’s less packaging required.

Read more about the benefits of shopping in bulk.

Annual Meeting 2019

by

Co-op owners are invited to our annual meeting on Sunday May 5, 4-6 p.m. at the Loft at the Red Building at 20 Basin Street in Astoria.

It’s a fiesta, celebrating 45 years in business! The event includes:

  • General Manager’s annual report, an update on the co-op’s “state of affairs” and expansion progress
  • Election of Board members Learn more…
  • Tamales and other Mexican-style cuisine from Monte Alban
  • 45th anniversary cake (your co-op was founded in 1974)

No need to RSVP. We hope to see you there!

Solar Grant

by

You may have seen in the Daily Astorian, that the co-op is a recipient of a Pacific Power Blue Sky program solar grant worth nearly $50,000. We are thrilled! This renewable project aligns with our mission as it pertains to sustainability and generating our own electricity would allow us to save on energy costs.

The grant would cover about a third of the cost to install solar panels, so in order to see it happen we’ll need additional investments. If you’d like more information, please contact General Manager Matt Stanley at matt@astoria.coop.

Green Recipes

by

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) with our collection of green recipes.

And if you want a high quality brisket with no added nitrates, we’ve got Premiere Corned Beef on sale now for just 4.99/lb. See more great deals in our fresh deals flyer.