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.

International Day of Cooperatives!

Did you know that the first Saturday of July is International Day of Cooperatives?  It serves as a GLOBAL platform to recognize and celebrate the impacts of cooperatives on millions of people's lives.

“Cooperators around the world will unite under the theme ‘Cooperatives for Sustainable Development’. Rooted in our shared values and principles, co-ops are hardwired to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which range from gender equity and reduced inequality to climate action and affordable clean energy.”    

-Yaneidy Lora (NCBA-CLUSA and International Cooperative Alliance)

It's awesome, isn't it? We are a part of this. Be curious.  Be proud. Shop CO-OP!

-Kathy Faith
CNFC Board of Directors

Let's Go To Chico!

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

All Aboard!

It has been a wild and wonderful ride serving on the Board of Directors of this great little store.  They say that at first serving on a Board of a natural foods co-op is like stepping aboard a moving train.  It doesn’t really stop for you. Luckily there are always some people who have been on the train for a while and know the ropes. 

I am just beginning to settle into the grounding effect and tremendous support of our governance system. As I start to GET what it is all about and our board responsibilities, I can relax and look around at my fellow board members and begin to enjoy them and the co-creating we can do.  

We need new directors now, so come to a Board meeting as a guest. See who we are and what we do and how we do it. Our elections for directors will be upon us soon. To become a director, you must have been a Co-op owner for 6 months.  We need diverse voices representing our whole community.  

Bring yours!

-Kathy Faith,
Board of Directors

Fond Farewell To Laurie Niles!

All of us here at the Co-op are wishing a proud, fond farewell to Laurie Niles, who is leaving our Board of Directors after seven years of service. In that time, Laurie has been an absolute superstar. She's held just about every Board office--including president! Laurie's leadership and dedication wasn't limited to BOD meetings: she was always ready to volunteer for a project, to help lead Owner Meetings, to show up in the store to promote the Co-op, Board Activities, the Capital Campaign, and whatever else she was needed for.

Laurie helped guide the Co-op through many transitions and changes during her long tenure on the BOD. She was a rock-solid supporter to countless new Directors over the years and was a reliable source of institutional knowledge about the governance of the business. She helped lead CNFC through years of great growth and of challenging sales, of the Capital Campaign and COVID, of owner drives and customer surveys. Through it all, everyone in the community knew that Laurie had a deep knowledge and an infectious energy for everything Co-op.

Laurie's dedication to improving Chico goes beyond her role at the Co-op. She brings her resolute determination, genuine joy, and glowing enthusiasm to all her endeavors, from promoting cycling in Chico to running several garden programs at local schools. Anyone who has worked with Laurie on a project (and that's a lot of folks!) can vouch that she brings so much to the table. The Co-op has been blessed to have her on the Board for so many years, and we will continue to work hard in all aspects of the store to live up to the high standards she has set for us.