2025 New Board of Directors Update

2025 New Board of Directors Update by Kathy Faith, Board President

Co-op member owners have elected excellent new people to join a solid cadre of seasoned board directors.  While board work has not changed, as with almost all co-op elections we are a brand new combination of seven board members with emerging ideas and skill sets yet to be fully brought together and utilized.

 Our Board Responsibilities are:

• Review and oversight of the budget

• Linkages to the member owners

• Comprehensive policies

• Assurance of performance

• Perpetuation of the co-op

Everything the board does starts with our stated purpose and mission as written in our bylaws, and then expressed as our Global Ends, dated 2017.  The Global ends reflect and clarify the purpose and guiding priorities for the board and staff. 

• Global End 1: Chico Natural Foods Co-op is inclusive of all community members.

• Global End 2: CNFC strengthens the cooperative movement.

• Global End 3: CNFC serves as an educational resource for the community.

• Global End 4: CNFC supports a local food system that is equitable, robust and environmentally sound. 

This new Board has begun the process of exploring these Global Ends to consider whether they are still our north star.  We would like to give member owners opportunities to weigh in on this in the near future. Stay tuned! 

We use an operating system called Policy Governance as an underlying framework for the board to do its job of cooperatively supervising the GM with one unified voice.  For more information about Policy Governance please refer to this article by Michael Healy from Columinate (a national consulting cooperative).  

The Board follows a yearly schedule to monitor the 10 policies that guide the work of the General Manager. We meet virtually on the last Monday of each month from 6-8 PM.  Guests are welcome.   

We will be tabling at the Thursday Market a few times this summer, so do come by and say hello.  The Board will be there August 21 and Sept 25 and the staff on Sept 4 in the Healthy Habits section of the market.  Our goal is to meet new folks, invite new shoppers to come visit, let people know about the MORE program and provide information about membership.   

We’d like to hear from you so please reach out at CNFCBoard@gmail.com.

Exciting New Chapter for Our Co-op & Gratitude for General Manager

With a mix of heartfelt gratitude and optimism for the future, the Chico Natural Foods Co-op Board of Directors announces that Liza Tedesco, our long-time General Manager, will be stepping away from her role. After 24 years with the Co-op—17 of those as General Manager—Liza has chosen to pursue a new opportunity that aligns with her long-term career goals.

During her tenure, she has weathered 7 bosses in the form of an ever-changing board of elected-by-members directors. Liza’s leadership has guided the Co-op through immense change and growth. From navigating economic ups and downs to steering us through a complete store remodel, and most notably, leading us with care and resilience through the challenges of the pandemic—Liza has been at the helm through it all. Her commitment, vision, and deep love for the Co-op have left an indelible mark. 

Under her guidance, the Co-op has emerged stronger, more beautiful, and more beloved by our community. Thanks to her and our incredible staff, the recently completed remodel has brought in glowing feedback and renewed energy from shoppers, reflected in both morale and sales.

Now, as we enter what appears to be a promising period of stability and growth, it’s a natural moment for new leadership to build on the strong foundation Liza has helped create. The Board is actively preparing for this transition and will begin the search for a permanent General Manager. In the meantime, Liza is working closely with staff and external co-op partners to ensure a smooth handoff, and her wisdom will continue to guide us during this time.

To the staff: You don't see us actively engaged in our role as board directors, but we get to see and benefit from the good work you do when we shop. We appreciate you every day.  Like you, we will be doing our best to support this significant transition.

To the members and shoppers: Let’s continue to do what we do best—shop, share, and celebrate this special community-owned store. Enjoy our sweet little piece of the world-wide cooperative movement. 

Be sure to thank Liza for her many years of tireless dedication, and please show your support and kindness to our staff as we move through these changes together.

Here’s to a bright next chapter—and to Liza, with endless gratitude.

Kathy Faith,
Board President

Curbside Pickup Closing Announcement

Chico Natural Foods Co-op owners and shoppers,
We wanted to let you know that after careful consideration, we’ve made the decision to discontinue our Curbside grocery pickup service. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steady decline in usage of this service, and we believe this change will allow us to better focus on enhancing the in-store shopping experience for all shoppers, while eliminating administrative and software costs.

What Does This Mean for You?

• Curbside Pickup will end on Monday, April 1st, 2025.

• We’ve remodeled our store to make it easier for you to shop and make your visits even better! If you need help, we are always happy to lend a hand.

• Please let us know if you have any suggestions for other services or improvements you’d like to see at the co-op.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We appreciate being part of your community!

Cooperatively,

CNFC

Chico Natural Foods Co-op Boosts Discount to 75% for CalFresh Shoppers on California-Grown Produce

Chico, CA – Fresh, local produce is about to get even more affordable for shoppers using their EBT benefits. Starting April 1, 2024, Chico Natural Foods Co-op is increasing its discount on California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables from 50% to 75% for CalFresh shoppers.

Thanks to an extended grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the Co-op’s MORE (Matching On Regional Eats) program will provide even deeper savings—helping shoppers stretch their food budgets while supporting small local farms.

What CalFresh Shoppers Need to Know:

• New 75% discount on all California-grown fresh produce (previously 50%) at Chico Natural Foods grocery store and deli, located at 818 Main Street.

• No sign-ups or enrollment required—just mention to your cashier that you’ll be using CalFresh benefits. Then, simply show your EBT card, and the discount will be applied automatically at checkout.

• Up to $60 off per transaction.

• Program extended through the end of 2025.

A Win for Families and Farmers

“We are thrilled to offer an even bigger discount through the MORE program,” said General Manager Liza Tedesco. “This increase to 75% means more families can afford the freshest, healthiest food while supporting local farmers. With CalFresh benefits decreasing for so many, this program comes at a critical time.”

About the MORE Program

Launched in 2019, the Co-op's MORE program was the first of its kind in Butte County. Since 2020, it has provided over $159,000 in discounts to CalFresh shoppers. Beyond affordability, the program strengthens the local food economy by increasing revenue for regional farmers and food producers. Over the course of the year, this program will support 45 local and regional farmers, further building a strong, sustainable food system.

Chico Natural Foods Co-op is a community-owned grocery store, and everyone is welcome—no membership required. The store is committed to increasing access to fresh, healthy foods and supporting small, local farmers by promoting a resilient, sustainable food system.

Funded by the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), the program is administered by the CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork.

Co-op Annual Meeting Monday, February 24

Next Monday, Feb 24, 6pm - 7pm:  CNFC Annual Meeting on Zoom

Gathering For Growth: Celebrating our Community

Mark your calendars and join the Board of Directors for a quick and fun Annual Meeting.  Our last year has been filled with so much change and growth to our beloved little store.  Let’s get together and discuss the highlights of what we’ve done this past year to get to where we are now and envision possibilities of the new year ahead.

Members and non-members of the Co-op community are invited to join the discussion, so invite a friend!

To end the meeting, we will be sharing our favorite Co-op treats, so bring your favorite to the virtual meeting and let’s chat!

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83674487689?pwd=qhKUXSYx3Nom3GktUQabV2ernE8DiA.1

Meeting ID: 836 7448 7689
Passcode: 502240

One tap mobile
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Owner Rewards Program Discontinuation

Dear Co-op Owners,

It is no understatement to say that our Owner Rewards Loyalty Points program has been used and appreciated by many since its roll-out on January 1, 2020. Over the years, we’ve given away approximately $30,000 annually in discounts to members ($149,050 from January 2020 – December 2024), and that amount continues to grow each year.

Owner Rewards programs are common at food co-ops, and many have seen increased membership and sales as a result of offering loyalty programs. We were hopeful for similar growth here at Chico Natural Foods Co-op, however, after five years of operation, our membership and sales numbers have remained relatively flat since the program’s launch. Unfortunately, this program, rather than supporting growth, has become a financial challenge, impacting our ability to cover rising expenses.

After careful review, and with the long-term sustainability of the Co-op in mind, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Owner Rewards Loyalty Points program, effective February 1, 2025. This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary for the future health of our Co-op as we explore new ways to bring value to your membership.

We recognize that this is a significant change, so we’re providing plenty of time to use any accumulated points before they expire on April 30, 2025.

The good news? While we’re discontinuing the Owner Rewards Loyalty Points program, we are committed to offering sales and promotions that deliver meaningful savings and help attract new members. Our goal is to strengthen our Co-op community with sustainable initiatives that support long-term success and growth.

As we continue to navigate our financial journey, the Co-op remains a beloved community market. We want to reassure you that, as always, our commitment to providing high-quality products at fair prices remains unchanged. We’ve recently remodeled our store to make it more welcoming and accessible for all of our owners and shoppers. With the retail grocery landscape evolving rapidly, shopping at the Co-op for your groceries, local produce, and fresh foods is the best way to support Chico’s only community-owned grocery store.

We are so grateful to our 2,500+ Co-op Owners who continue to make the Co-op a cherished community hub for all things local, natural, and organic. Your ongoing support helps ensure the Co-op’s place as a vital resource in our community.

Yours Co-operatively,

Liza Tedesco
General Manager