I am very pleased to have been recently initiated to the Chico Natural Foods Cooperative Board of Directors. I relocated to Chico in 2014 with my husband, Mitch, from the Hilo side of the Big Island where, as a registered architect, I had maintained a small but lucrative architectural office in the city of Hilo since 1998.
I met Mitch in Hawaii shortly after he moved there from Chico in 1999. Working in construction and playing music while attending the Music Department at Chico State, Mitch had forged and maintained many connections and had always spoken so highly of his many friends and experiences here over the 15 years he had lived here. So, when we had decided to return to California to be closer to family, Chico was a great choice for both of us. We feel quite blessed to be a part of this amazing community.
As we began to settle in, I started looking for opportunities to become involved with something meaningful here. There are so many wonderful organizations. It was during the latest Member-Owner Appreciation Day that I spoke at some length with current Co-op board president and members and was told about an opening on the board. I have been supporting local natural food stores my entire adult life, so naturally I joined the Co-op as soon as we landed. I am a huge fan of the store and all those who have made it what it is today. I see the Co-op as a major hub of the greater Chico community and I am excited to be a part of its continued development.
-Valerie Simpson
CNFC Board of Directors
