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CHICO'S PLASTIC BAG ORDINANCE
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On January 1, 2015, Chico’s new plastic bag ordinance finally went into effect. The goal of the ordinance is to reduce the use of single-use bags throughout the town. Ideally, this will result in fewer fossil fuels consumed in manufacturing the bags, less unsightly garbage floating around town, and a more enlightened citizenry practicing the first and second of the three “R”s—Reduce & Reuse. Read on to see how the ordinance will impact the Co-op.
Will the Co-op still offer its reusable Roplast bags?
The Co-op will most definitely still be offering its award-winning Roplast bags. They have always been made to be reused over one hundred times and are sturdy enough to meet the requirements of the ordinance. The Roplast bags are made in Oroville from 100% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable as well! We’ve yet to find another option that marries sustainability, affordability, and convenience as well as our current bags. However, the new law does make one significant change: the Co-op will now have to charge for reusable bags. Starting in 2015, we will be charging five cents for the reusable bags.
Will the Co-op still sell recyclable paper bags?
Absolutely! The new ordinance requires that stores charge for paper bags, a policy the Co-op has been practicing for more than two years already with our largest paper bags. From now on, we will be charging the same twenty cents for all paper bags, regardless of size, given away at the register.
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Will the Co-op be charging for bulk bags or produce bags?
No. The bag ordinance specifically exempts “a bag without handles provided to a customer to: (1) transport prepared food, produce, bulk food, or meat from a department within a store to the point of sale; (2) hold prescription medication dispensed from a pharmacy; or (3) segregate food or merchandise that could damage or contaminate other food or merchandise…”. Only bags given at the register to take items out of the store are covered by the ordinance.
Do CalFresh benefits pay for bag charges?
Customers paying with CalFresh or any other need-based government aid are exempt from the charges levied by the bag ordinance. Please let your cashier know that you will be paying with your benefits, and they will be sure to waive the charge.
How many times can the Roplast Bag be reused?
We’ve seen many customers bring their bags back 100 times—or even more! We’ve come up with a fun and rewarding way of keeping track. Every time you reuse your Roplast bag, your cashier will put a sticker on one of the 100 check-boxes on the bag. When all the boxes are filled in, you win a limited-edition CNFC canvas bag!
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FOOD BANK DONATION RESULTS!
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Earlier this year, the Co-op formed a new partnership with the North State Food Bank. The relationship began when we pledged to donate all of 2013’s unredeemed patronage dividends to the Food Bank. We also gave owners the option to donate all or part of their dividend to this worthy organization. Among all the incredible organizations that we have supported in 2014, few have values that so closely align with the Co-op’s own goals. Both NSFB and CNFC are dedicated to making sure that our entire community has access to nutritious, wholesome food.
To further achieve those ends, the Co-op launched a program enabling our customers to donate food directly to the Food Bank during the holiday season. Shoppers had the option of purchasing a bag of breakfast food for $10, or a lunch and dinner basket for $20. All the offerings were the kind of high quality, organic food that the Co-op is known for. We ‘sold’ the items for the same cost we paid for them, which meant that your donation dollar went even farther than with tradition “barrel”-style food drives.
And you donated those dollars! Co-op customers donated more than $2,700 in November and December. That’s more than 130 cases of food! We expected our shoppers to be generous, but we are amazed and humbled by the generosity displayed by our community during the Holiday Season.
Every one of us at the Co-op, on behalf of the North State Food Bank, want to give a deep, heart-felt Thank You to everyone who helped make our food drive such a smashing success. Without you, none of this could have happened.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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We can’t wait to serve our co-op membership and greater community in the year to come. The biggest project this year will no doubt be researching potential locations for our store and the board is eager to work with our members and management to support this process. January will be a busy month for the board: board training for new and returning members, committee work, and meeting with the real-estate consultant, are all on the calendar in addition to our regular monthly meeting.
I’d like to briefly introduce our board:
Julia Murphy, Phil Weintraub, and myself (Olivia Peters-Lazaro) are your “old guard,” having served 2-6 years each. Alec Binyon, Natalie Carter, and Scott Richman were elected by all of you in November, and Laurie Niles was appointed by the board last month to fill the 7th seat on the board. We are always recruiting for future seat vacancies, if you are interested in serving on the board in the future, get in touch!
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As always, our monthly meetings have space for members to share with the board at the beginning of each meeting. We look forward to connecting with you at meetings, in the store, and at store events. Or, send us an email from the CNFC website. Our job is the long term health and vision of our store, if you have something to share, please do so.
Here is to a year filled with AMAZING FOOD!
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Olivia Peters-Lazaro
President
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Gaia Herbs Maca Boost
Energize your smoothie with Cacao-Ginger or Vanilla-Chai Maca! Available in single serving packets, or loose powder.
www.gaiaherbs.com
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Muddy Waters Coffee Co. in Bulk
Two varieties available: Deep Blues Blend dark roast & Bali Blue Moon medium roast.
"Wake Up Your Soul"
www.ilovemud.com
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Eco Lips
Eco LipsOne World lip balms fuse Fair Trade Certified Cocoa Butter, USDA Organic Certified ingredients and exotic oils from around the globe to bring you beautifully crafted lip balms with amazing properties packaged in large 0.25 oz tubes made with 40% recycled material.
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Field Roast Deli Slices
Lentil Sage seasoned with fresh garlic, zesty lemon juice and pungent rubbed sage
Wild Mushroom an earthy combination of Shiitake, Champignon and Porcini mushrooms accented with imported balsamic vinegar
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Lilly's Kalamata Olive Hummus
Back due to popular demand!
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What's Local in Produce This Month! KIWI FRUIT from Ariza Farms in Capay, CA
MINNELOA TANGELOS from Augie Velasquez in Durham, CA
SATSUMA MANDARINS from Capay Organics in Capay, CA
SWEET NANTES CARROTS from Pyramid Farms in Chico, CA
GREEN KALE, DINO KALE, & RED RUSSIAN KALE from Comanche Creek in Chico, CA
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GROCERY
BULK Dry Falafel, Hummus, & Refried Bean Mix
Ozary Morning Rounds, All Varieties
Bucha Kombucha Blood Orange & Grapefruit Sage
Follow Your Heart All Vegan Cheese Shreds
Celestial Seasonings Teas, Select Varieties
Food Merchants Polentas
Lundberg Farms Pilaf Original & Toasted Almond
Napa Valley Oils and Vinegars
Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Que Pasa Corn Chips, All Varieties
Rapunzel Vegetable Bullion Cubes
PRODUCE
Cameo Apples Certified Organic
Yellow, Red, & White Onions Certified ORganic
CO-OP KITCHEN
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
Blonde Pot de Créme w/ Caramel Sauce
WELLNESS/BODY CARE
Host Defense Turkey Tail and My Community Immune Support
Swiss Kriss Tablet Laxatives
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NEW OWNER DISCOUNT CARDS!
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Owners! Don't forget to pick up your new owner discount card next time you're at the register! Not an owner? Learn more about ownership here.
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