COVID-19 UPDATE

Dear CNFC Community,

The Chico Natural Foods Cooperative is a mission and values-driven community-owned entity. As such, transparency and information sharing are integral parts of organization’s DNA. We are always striving to be as honest and straightforward as possible with our staff, customers, and the community at large.

As of late yesterday, the Co-op is operating under an abundance of caution and making the presumption that an exposed employee will test positive for COVID-19.  While we are unable to share any specific information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Act, they seldom interact with the public and have very limited contact with employees who do. They are in isolation and doing well. Any Co-op staff who have been determined to have been “exposed”* to the affected employee have been sent home (with pay) to self-isolate until they reach the end of their quarantine period.**. We have employed an external cleaning service to thoroughly disinfect the workspaces that may have used. We are following all recommended guidelines from public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and city, county and state public health departments to ensure everyone’s safety.

At the Co-op we continue to follow strict safety protocols, including screening all CNFC employees for symptoms and exposure before starting their shift, minimizing worker contact, maintaining our 6 feet distances as best possible while working in our small spaces, wearing masks, and sanitizing all areas of the Co-op where workers and customers access. Any appearance of COVID-19 is distressing and worrying, but it also reinforces why we have such rigorous practices in place: stringent mask policies, robust hygiene handwashing policies, generous and proactive Wellness benefits, and a dedication to in-store sanitization will help keep everyone safe.

We encourage everyone to practice another core cooperative tenet, Principle 7: Concern for Community. COVID-19 is highly contagious and dangerous to many- and we still do not know its long-term effects. To put it bluntly, you should always act as if you are being exposed to the virus. The more diligent we are in stopping the spread, the sooner we can return to our lives filled with hugs, high fives and the daily activities we once took for granted. Supporting our staff is one of our paramount priorities; please help up protect staff by diligently wearing your mask correctly and staying home when ill or when in contact with those who are ill.

As a reminder, per the California state mandate, face coverings are required on Chico Natural Foods Co-op property at all times. We also want to remind you of other critical ways we can keep each other safe right now:

·         Wear a mask at all times in public.

·         Wear your mask across your nose, mouth and chin.

·         Keep at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others when in public.

·         Wash your hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

·         Keep holiday celebrations and other gatherings to those within your “bubble”.

·         Monitor yourself for symptoms. If you present symptoms or have concerns about being exposed, you should seek testing. The Butte County Health and Human Services webpage is a good resource.

 Curbside Pickup is available for those seeking the convenience and safety of ordering groceries online and delivered to their car in the Chico Natural Foods Co-op parking lot. It is easy to use, convenient and we encourage you to give it a try.

Thanks to our community for continuing to take the pandemic seriously. COVID-19 diagnoses are becoming widespread across Butte County and now, more than ever, it is important we keep each other safe. For shoppers that would like more information about the Co-op’s COVID protocols, or have any other questions, please email liza@chiconaturalfoods.coop.

*According to Butte County Public Health, an “exposed” co-worker is someone who worked within 6 feet of the affected individual for at least 15 minutes straight in an enclosed area.

** Butte County Public Health considers the quarantine period to be 14 days after the last date of close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Thanksgiving Turkeys at the Co-op

The Co-op is pleased to announce that we will have an abundance of Diestel Family Ranch turkeys available for purchase for the holidays. CNFC selected Diestel as our turkey provider because they share our passion for organic agriculture and high standards of animal welfare. Learn more about these turkeys below, and don’t forget about our great turkey special this year: spend $150 or more in a single transaction between 11/18 - 11/30, and save 50% off your turkey!

We will be carrying three varieties of Diestel turkeys this year:

Non-GMO Whole Turkeys: $3.69/lb

Diestel’s classic, delicious, slow-raised turkey, raised on an entirely Non-GMO diet. It’s Non-GMO certified, so you don’t have to worry! Save an extra 50% on your Non-GMO certified turkey when you spend $150 or more at the Co-op!

ORGANIC HEIDI’S HENS: $4.69/LB

Treat yourself and your family to a humanely raised, organic turkey this year. The Heidi’s Hens line of turkeys from Diestel is USDA certified organic as well as Non-GMO project verified.  They are the popular Broad Breasted White turkeys, which guarantee ample amounts of white meat. Spend $150 at the Co-op, and get your Organic Turkey for half off—the best deal in town!

ORGANIC AMERICAN HEIRLOOM: $4.99/LB

Heirloom turkeys are prized by chefs around the world for their superior flavor. Diestel raises a mix of Auburn, Black, and American Bronze Turkey breeds. These breeds predate the Broad Breasted White which currently dominates the market. They grow slower, allowing them time to pack on the fat that enriches their flavor. Diestel’s Heirloom turkeys are also USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO project verified! This is a previously frozen bird. And don’t forget—you can save half on this turkey if you spend $150 or more at the Co-op!

WE BEGIN TAKING RESERVATIONS ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th! 
CALL (530) 891-1713 or come in the store.

No deposit is necessary at the time of ordering.  Reservation cancellations must be received by Nov. 17th. 

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Roasting intructions from Diestel Family Turkey Ranch: 
http://diestelturkey.com/roasting-instructions/

Owner Rewards Weekend!

OWNER REWARDS WEEKEND

The Co-op is having our first ever Owner Rewards Event this weekend, from October 30th - November 1st. All Co-op owners will earn 5X the normal Owner Rewards Points on all qualifying purchases, all three days!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Co-op owners normally receive Owner Rewards Points on nearly every purchase they make. You earn one point for every dollar spent, and can then redeem 100 points for a dollar off anything at the Co-op. This benefit rewards Co-op owners every time they shop at their store.

For this long weekend, the Co-op is boosting up those benefits. All owners will receive 5 TIMES the Owner Rewards Points for all three days! Stock up on your favorite Co-op essentials this weekend and stock up on Rewards points!

HOW TO GET THE POINTS

Just be an owner and shop at the Co-op! Owner Rewards Points are automatically added to your account whenever you shop at the store. Starting on Friday, you'll automatically earn five times as many points! All owners receive Owner Rewards Points, all the time! Even Curbside orders, as long as they are placed with a connected, active account, will earn the bonus points! And remember, for as long as your owner account is active, Owner Rewards Points don't expire! So you can save them up for a big purchase!

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND

We hope to see you over this weekend, from Friday - Sunday, either in-store or through our Curbside Pickup program. And don't forget, even after this weekend, you will still earn one Owner Reward Point for every dollar you spend in the Co-op!

*Some items at the Co-op are not eligible for accruing Owner Rewards Points, including alcohol, gift card purchases, and owner equity investment.

Equal Exchange

There’s no better time than now to talk about why the Co-op loves Equal Exchange. October, after all, is not just Co-op month, but it’s also Fair Trade month and Non-GMO month. Equal Exchange deserves praise and recognition for their efforts in advancing the goals of all three movements while providing us with absolutely delicious chocolate, coffee, and tea. Let’s take a look at what makes Equal Exchange so great!

Co-ops All the Way Down

The three founders of Equal Exchange met while working at a New England food co-op in the late 1980s, and sought out worker-controlled coffee farms to source their ethically produced coffee. Read more about Equal Exchange’s history at their website (some interesting tidbits include Equal Exchange’s first ever coffee embroiling them in a conflict with the Reagan administration over trade with Sandanistan Nicaragua, and an important early investment from a group of midwestern Dominican Sisters).

Equal Exchange’s history has made it what it is today: a worker cooperative owned and operated by over 130 worker-owners. Everyone at Equal Exchange has an equal say in setting the direction of the company, sharing in its financial success, and helping make it even better as it grows. Equal Exchange is a co-op. Learn more about their cooperative structure here.

Equal Exchange also buys from cooperatives. It was founded in order to move our international trade system away from the exploitative, hierarchical, plantation-focused system that is so sadly prevalent. They work with over 40 small farmer organizations all over the world to ensure that your purchase of coffee, tea, or chocolate is helping to grow the cooperative economy, uplift farmers, and create a world where everyone is treated with the dignity and autonomy that they deserve.

When you purchase Equal Exchange products from CNFC, you are supporting a whole global supply chain of cooperative, democratic businesses. You’re supporting your very own community-focused consumer co-op here in Chico, the worker-owned Equal Exchange cooperative, and the producer-cooperatives that grow the food. Every step of the way, you are a part of a growing people-powered movement to give more power to consumers and workers.

It’s worth noting that, in addition to being a co-op selling cooperatively grown products, all of the Equal Exchange chocolate, tea, and coffee sold at CNFC is USDA-certified organic, so you can sip, steep, and snack without worrying that your fairly traded treat contains GMO ingredients. There’s nothing not to like!

All of the above reasons, and so many more, are why we are so proud to carry Equal Exchange products, and want to celebrate them this October. They embody and advance the ideals of the cooperative movement, the fair-trade movement, and even the non-GMO movement. So whether you’re starting your day with a cup of coffee, or winding down with a piece of chocolate, enjoy Equal Exchange from the Co-op!

September Round Up Results

CO-OP SHOPPERS AND CHAT—A GREAT COMBO

We are so proud to announce that, over the month of September, Co-op shoppers donated over $1,200 to the Chico Housing Action Team through the Round Up program. We are thrilled at the generosity of our shoppers, and the hard work of our Front End team in collecting these donations! Together, we are all helping to support CHAT in getting people off the streets and into housing.

Learn more about all the great things CHAT is doing at their website: https://www.chicohousingactionteam.net/

And if you are able, we encourage you to donate to this month’s Round Up organization, the Cooperative Community Fund!

OCTOBER ROUND UP 2020

Owners: Meet the $2,000 match and build our Chico Cooperative Community Fund!

In order to celebrate Co-op Month, CNFC’s October Round Up recipient is our own Chico Co-op Community Fund. The Chico Co-op Community Fund is an endowment that will provide a long-term source of funds that our Co-op can use to support local non-profit organizations. We partner with almost 50 other food co-ops in the Cooperative Community Fund Program.

We're also honored to be receiving additional matching challenges from some of our cherished cooperative partners. Frontier Co-op (source of many wonderful spices, herbs, and teas), and Equal Exchange (a fantastic distributor that works with producer cooperatives all around the world) have pledged an additional $1,000 to the Co-op Community Fund.

In addition, the Chico Natural Foods Co-op will be matching the Round Up funds with a contribution of our own, up to $1,000. Every penny donated by shoppers through Round up will be matched 2:1 by CNFC and our partners (up to $2,000). We want to thank Equal Exchange, Frontier, and Twin Pines for so wonderfully embodying the sixth cooperative principle: cooperation among cooperatives. Together, we can accomplish so much!