Peter Ratner

I moved to Chico in 1989 to go to school, and never left. I joined the Co-op in '89, and served on the BOD in 1990. I am happy that CNFC has grown into a such a vibrant and beautiful place to shop over the past 22 years. I have lived in many parts of the country, but Chico has become my home town. I have a 34 year old daughter named Leah, who lives in Columbia Missouri. I have been a programmer on KZFR our local Community Radio Station for the last 4 years, and also volunteer for the Chico Peace and Justice Center at the annual pancake breakfast. I have chickens in my backyard, and enjoy spending time with dogs and horses. I work as an apartment maintenance tech and enjoy the variety of work that requires.

Julia Murphy 

I work as a project assistant for the Butte Environmental Council and write a weekly column for the Synthesis called ’Green Light’. My education (BA, Interdisciplinary Studies) covers a broad span of subjects, which may explain why my four-year degree took me twenty-two years. I attended Community College in Brattleboro and Burlington, VT and Oroville, CA; I went to the San Francisco Art Institute for a year, and finished my degree at CSU Chico. That last stint was where I started putting together my interest in environmental justice, ecology, hydrology, public interest and administrative law.

Chico Natural Foods Co-op is a real force for positive change in our community, and with our co-op community around the world. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors and find it a constant learning experience; an essential one for anyone committed to working in the non-profit/ co-op realm. I’m a flaming generalist in an age of specialists; but I think that many of the co-op’s members, staff, and board have similar breadth of experience and interests. We are a diverse, talented and creative group!

Stephanie Elliott - Secretary

I have lived at the GRUB Cooperative since 2008. I do much of the grocery shopping for the house, which takes me to the Saturday farmers market and Chico Natural Foods every week. I have been a CNF member since 2006 and in that time it has become an important part of my life as I buy much of my food here. In recent years, food has become one of my main passions. I teach children and adults how to grow their own food and how to make it taste delicious. I am now enjoying teaching my son, who is one year old, all about good food. I received my BA from Chico State and went on to get a master's degree in in Human Development from Pacific Oaks. Throughout my education I have focused on parenting and building community. I spend a lot of time working at the GRUB Cooperative where I love to organize and facilitate communication.

Amber Bailey

My training and education are on the job. I was raised riding along with Dad (a crop farmer) and Grandpa (a rancher).  Mom worked in bakery and helped me first “real job” as deli clerk for Fred Meyer where I went on to hold manager, regional and director positions.  It was during this time I become aware of the amazing world of food and its interconnected relationship to our health, land, community, culture and politics.  For 7 years I have been working as account manager on the sales and distribution side of the food industry where my focus is connect regional and specialty small producers with consumers.  I love learning and sharing and I am currently an active member of Slow Food Shasta Cascade and host a GRUB community garden.

Kevin Shea

Born and raised in Orange County, Kevin grew up spending time at his grandparents’ 40-acre farm in Madera, CA. It was here that his love for fresh food began to grow. With a degree in Parks and Natural Resources Management from CSU, Chico, Kevin has held a variety of unique positions in the North State. As a Certified Arborist, he became well acquainted with the region’s landscape as he traveled throughout Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties working with landowners and government entities to manage vegetation interfering with high voltage power lines. Kevin learned the local business culture while working with Upstate Business Journal and Inside Out Magazine as an Advertising Account Executive. Kevin was the founding employee for The ChicoBag™ Co. and spent 5 years as an Account Manager acquiring many of the company's largest deals, selling millions of dollars in product and developing the company’s brand identity. Kevin possesses a unique ability to build valuable professional relationships, has a wealth of database and account management skills and is well versed in sales and marketing. For eighteen years, Kevin has been enjoying Upper Bidwell Park where he is regularly seen riding a mountain-bike. In addition to being the father of 2 great boys, he gardens, works with native plants and maintains a deep-seeded love for the North State’s agriculture, play and climate.

Olivia Peters-Lazaro

I grew up in Chico out in the orchards. As an undergraduate at UCLA I studied geography and dance focusing on indigenous food systems. I went to graduate school at Five Branches University in Santa Cruz and earned a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine and am now a licensed acupuncturist. I am passionate about the importance of local food systems to the health of our community, the people and environment alike. I know that Chico Natural Foods Co-op is a valuable hub for our local food systems and want to see it continue to thrive and meet the needs of our awesome community. I am the owner and acupuncturist at Chico Community Acupuncture. I live on my family’s walnut orchard, where we are blessed with amazing soil that you can grow anything in, space for chickens, and room to be.