Looking Forward

THANK YOU OWNERS! I received a voice-mail message recently that epitomized the bulk of the feedback we’ve received regarding the changes we have recently undertaken at the Co-op: “I was in the store this morning and I just want to tell you I was blown away. It is so wonderful. The food is amazing. And, the staff are really incredible. Everything is just so lovely. I must tell you this was well worth every effort that went into it.”

Once again, I must say thank you to all of you, our owners, for making it happen. Our owners gave us the vision of a thriving co-op that had the potential to grow, and also made it clear that creating a great store at our Main St. location was the first priority. It was our owners who invested their $300 to purchase a share in the store; and the combined investment of the owners who have joined that has supported this remodel. Moreover, it was our owners who kept our fires burning with tons of positive feedback throughout, despite the moved-around aisles and shrunken parking lot. 

In the New Year, we look forward to announcing our new store location; the next step in our plan to create a world with more access to local food, more co-op economy, and more happy knowledgeable people. However, for now, we pause to say thank you and congratulations. This remodel, this store, this co-op is a true community accomplishment, and we the staff feel so lucky to act as stewards on your behalf. Happy New Year! 

General Manager - Liza Tedesco

New Discount Cards Are Here!

The New Year brings with it new discount cards! 2015’s discount cards have expired, but never fear! We have a new set of discount cards printed out. We will have a special table set up on  Saturday, January 2nd  and Sunday, January 3rd   in-store. Owners who pick up their discount cards from the special table on the first weekend of the year will be entered into a raffle to win one of five $10 gift cards.  After this weekend, we will keep the remaining cards up front for our owners to pick up at their leisure.  

NCG Carbon Offset

National Co+operative Grocers, the preeminent cooperative organization in the country, of which CNFC is a member, recently announced that their carbon offset program now supports 837,000 trees in an at-risk region of the Peruvian rainforest. As a further contribution to the area’s environment and economy, the program will now support the reintroduction of beekeeping into the area.

 The Co+op Forest initiative is a two year old program that has been offsetting the travel and utility emissions of the NCG and its main offices by partnering with Peruvian farmer cooperatives to plant and maintain native trees in the Amazon Rainforest. The Co+op Forest is part of a larger system of sustainable forestry and agriculture in the region which results in organic, fair-trade products being produced, some of which wind up being sold in Co-ops like the one here in Chico!

In 2015, the Co+op Forest expanded to include the Alto Shamboyacu community, many of whom are coffee and chocolate producers in the Oro Verde farmer cooperative. This year’s contribution includes compensation to plant and maintain 1,458 native trees among the cash crops grown by the cooperative. In addition, the NCG’s funds will aid in the revitalizing of the area’s beekeeping industry. Pollinators will thrive, indigenous plants will grow, and a local industry will prosper.

The Chico Natural Foods Co-op is proud to be a member of the NCG. In addition to everyday benefits in product purchasing, the NCG is an exemplary model of responsible business behavior. The high ethical standards of the NCG’s member Co-ops have built upwards to create an organization that serves as an inspiration to others around the country and, indeed, around the world.

2015 BOD ELECTION RESULTS

Congratulations to the winners of our 2015 Board of Directors Election. Laurie Niles, Yanabah Powers, and Seana Watkins were our top vote getters and will be joining the Board. We are extremely grateful to all the candidates who ran in the election. We are fortunate to be able to participate in local democracy.