TIME TO JOIN THE BOARD!

The Chico Natural Foods Co-op Board of Directors elections of 2024 are happening in JUNE. If you are a member-owner of the co-op in good standing for 6 months or more you can apply.  Go to the CNFC website Board of Directors or click here for JOIN the Board information and responsibilities.

It is a real privilege to serve on the board in these times of such upheaval, and I don’t just mean in the store behind those plastic walls for the past few months. Being a working cooperative makes us part of a long historical movement of folks coming together to better their lives and their communities as a whole. There are 3 million cooperatives globally that touch the lives of more than 12% of people worldwide.  We are just one of the many.

We are a member-owned, staff-run and community-serving business organization. It really is a privilege to be a part of this wonderful community asset. Especially as it emerges from this plastic walled chrysalis to wow us with a new kitchen and the amazing food that gets created in there.

Board Applications due: MAY 24. For more information contact the board at bod@chiconaturalfoods.coop

Move and Improve the Kitchen

The journey to a fresh and improved Co-op continues!

As you might remember, back in June of 2021, we replaced our old crumbling floors with new, durable flooring. It was a lot of work, but we love the results! Soon after, we reformatted the front of the Co-op. Our cash registers have been laid out in a more efficient and logical manner to improve the check-out process. We also moved the Produce department in order to give it more space to show off our fantastic fresh, local, and organic offerings.

This week, the aisle behind the kitchen has been closed off and demolition on the back wall has begun. As we work towards creating a modern and improved kitchen space, we want to bring to your attention that there will be construction workers moving throughout the store in the coming weeks. The nature of the work may result in increased noise levels and dust. The demolition area has been blocked off with plastic sheeting, however we are providing masks and earplugs at the front entrance for your convenience and protection.

The retail deli and production kitchen will be moved to the edge of the store, expanded, and improved. Our upgraded kitchen will work more efficiently, making the kitchen better than ever! As with any construction project, there are several factors that can influence the schedule, including unforeseen challenges, material availability, and coordination with our contractors. While we are working diligently to ensure minimal disruption, we want to inform you that there might be some adjustments along the way. Our commitment to enhancing your shopping experience remains a top priority, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this process.

We hope you are excited about these improvements as we are, and that you’ll be patient with us as we work to give Chico an even better Co-op! Keep an eye on this space, as we will reveal more about our upcoming remodel plans soon.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to General Manager Liza Tedesco at liza@chiconaturalfoods.coop

Bright Times!

You’ve probably noticed that the Co-op looks a little different lately. No, we didn’t remodel the store(that’s coming next month). Instead, everything in the Co-op is a little brighter. It’s not just our sunny dispositions illuminating your life—we upgraded the store’s lighting! Not only can you better see every delicate spike on the rambutan, but the Co-op is saving a bunch of energy!

We partnered with PG&E on an “Energy Upgrade” for the store, replacing all our existing light fixtures with new, more efficient LED lighting.  We are projecting that the Co-op will use 49% less energy on lighting thanks to these upgrades! We are so excited that PG&E offered us a 0% loan to make such a major cut in our kilowatt hours consumption. The next time you’re in the Co-op, notice the new light fixtures—they’re saving money, reducing energy consumption, and shining bright!

Holiday Turkeys at the Co-op, 2023

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 has partnered with Diestel as our turkey provider for many years because they share our passion for sustainable 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 $175 or more in a single transaction between 11/13 - 11/23, and save 50% off your turkey!

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

Non-GMO Whole Turkeys: $3.99/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 $175 or more at the Co-op!

ORGANIC HEIDI’S HENS: $4.99/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 $175 at the Co-op, and get your Organic Turkey for half off—the best deal in town!

ORGANIC AMERICAN HEIRLOOM: $5.29/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 $175 or more at the Co-op!

WE BEGIN TAKING RESERVATIONS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 
CALL (530) 891-1713 or come in the store to place your turkey order.

No deposit is necessary at the time of ordering.

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

You Read What?

I bet we have all used the big grey recycled and recyclable bags that we are offered at the Co-op registers. My tofu-making friend had one years ago that he would actually get stickers from the cashiers to stick on the little squares to show how many times he used the bag. His bag was almost fully stickered, tattered and taped.

 The other day I decided to read my bag, which I had never done. I usually read every label that comes my way, ever since I was a kid practicing reading on cereal boxes.

 The grey bag is GREAT reading. Read it.

 Really. Every word. Don't skim. It is charming, informative and funny. My biggest surprise treat was finding out where they are made! I am definitely not giving that fact away here. Happily they still offer the bags at the register and I bet many of you have some at home, so you have a chance to find out all there is to learn on those bags.

 I wonder if they still have the stickers.

  Kathy Faith

Chico Natural Foods Board of Director

A work of art by the author

Justice For Farmers!

I just read some great news recently from NCBA CLUSA (National Cooperative Business Association). It's the kind of news that doesn't get reported in the wider world too often. 

The USDA is now accepting applications for $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers who can show they were discriminated against in the USDA farm lending programs. The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) is open to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. 

The free application process needs to show that the basis for the discrimination was due to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, retaliation for prior civil rights activity, etc. I imagine proving the basis for the discrimination might be challenging, so the USDA is providing free technical support throughout the DFAP process by partnering with cooperative organizations and coalitions that have experience with outreach to farm organizations. This means that a lawyer or legal services are not required to apply.

These groups appear to exist to harvest the power of the collective over individuals struggling on their own.  They include AgrAbility, the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Federation of Southern Cooperatives,Intertribal Agriculture Council, Land Loss Prevention Project, National Young Farmers Coalition, and Rural Coalition.

The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2023 which is not that far away. For more information, visit 22007apply.gov or contact a designated cooperator listed above, such as the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/land assistance fund.

—Kathy Faith, Board President

The Board President loves trees.