By Elizabeth Archerd, Member Services Director at our sister co-op Wedge Community Co-op in Minneapolis, Minnesota

      Twenty years ago, membership at natural food cooperatives meant time spent organizing or running the store, in exchange for discounts. At some co-ops that is still the case, but as cooperatives have grown and changed, memberships have also changed. Natural food shoppers who didn't have time to work started to outnumber the people who did.

      To increase the number of co-op members, natural food cooperatives went back to the origins of the movement to see how things were done, and looked at "old wave" grocery co-ops still in operation (stores started in the 1920s and 30s). Each co-op devised a solution, which included a member share purchase to capitalize the business, and some combination of rebates, specials and discount days or coupons to attract new members.

      Some member-labor programs died from non-participation or following a Department of Labor ruling calling member-labor an unfair labor practice. A few were put to rest by worker's compensation insurance premiums. Some programs continue, but non-working members often greatly outnumber working ones.

     Co-ops solved the immediate problem of attracting members who didn't work in the store, but at the same time gave themselves a new problem: what does it mean to be a co-op member today? When people shop at co-ops, how does that differ from shopping at the privately-owned stores that offer "frequent-shopper" programs or from joining the "wholesale clubs" that have sprung up? The business "community" is savvy at borrowing the look and feel of co-ops without offering the substance of our way of doing business.

     There are three major ways that cooperatives differ from private sector stores, and belonging to a co-op is a commitment in and of itself. First, the decision-making process in co-ops is not driven by the desire to increase the wealth of individual shareholders, or even by what's profitable. Secondly, co-ops handle money in a very different way from private stores. They invest in consumer and staff education, about organic farming and cruelty-free or environmentally sound products made by businesses committed to making life better. Finally, co-ops are a model for social change because they conduct business in a democratic way, with community service as the core value guiding decisions.

     What drives a co-op is service to the community that founded it, sustains it, and needs what it has to offer. While profit-driven businesses thrive by selling us the image of ourselves as islands of unique, separate needs, co-ops emphasize the connections between growers and buyers, country and city, animal welfare and food quality, farming practices and environmental/health concerns, co-op and members. By joining a co-op, members commit themselves to a business that serves and reinvests in the community, and exists for no other reason.

     Now, owning a business requires investment money and equipment, and in many cases, land and buildings. These are called capital, the essential things needed to build and sustain the business activity that generates revenues to cover the costs of doing business and, with skill and some luck, accumulate profit.

      Social commentators have recently begun to speak of "social capital" -- referring to the rich networks of relationships that develop in neighborhoods, schools, churches, and other voluntary associations. This form of capital is essential to build and sustain social institutions that are successful in raising the next generation, caring for the sick and lonely, solving environmental and social problems, and responding to the challenges of living together.

      There is another kind of social capital. It is capital as described in the earlier paragraph -- the essential things needed to run a business -- with a difference: it is defined as capital that is owned by all and should be utilized for the benefit of all. This kind of capital is distinct from private capital (that which is owned by a few and used for the benefit of the few), and is a philosophical foundation of the cooperative ideal.

     Such capital is a kind of ultimate realization of the cooperative effort, which unfortunately goes unrecognized by many food cooperatives in actual practice. (How else can we explain the resistance, and even hostility in some camps, to the idea that co-ops need to accumulate money and property to fulfill the mission of providing goods and services to the member-owners?) The very heart of the cooperative model is owning things in common, together, for the common good.

     The cooperative dream depends on people who can resist the dominant social theme of "Get mine, get it now and get as much as possible, for as little as possible." Unfortunately, this attitude is marketed with great regularity and great success. Even in cooperatives we find members who view co-ops as vehicles for immediate gain, rather than a long-term community resources which require investment and cultivation.

      There are people who assume co-ops exist to give them low prices, discounts or other privileges, but rarely stop to think of the labor and investment that is required to make a co-op worth having. They see cooperatives as a form of private capital, a means for individual gain. There are food cooperatives whose members even insist on getting discounts as their stores are losing money! This is comparable to a farmer not caring that the topsoil is blowing away due to poor land management.

     None of us exists separate from society, its history and its institutions. What we do today and how we do it is a result of the decisions and actions taken by the generations that preceded us. Likewise our cooperatives today are the result of efforts of the founders. Their vision and labor helped them to accumulate the good will, money, buildings and equipment we have today. We are building on their work and will pass the co-ops on to another generation of member-owners. With each passing generation, if it's done correctly, co-ops should become stronger, providing more people opportunity to participate in the cooperative economy.

     By joining a cooperative, purchasing your shares, shopping there for every thing it provides, and electing boards that make wise stewardship decisions about money and resources, we are building social capital -- both kinds. We are creating businesses that are owned by all and serve us all. We are part of a rich network of relationships that makes us feel less alone. This is a deeper, bigger, and ultimately more satisfying venture than trying to save a few bucks on groceries.

The Butte Bicycle Coalition is building a Bike Barn!  From this site they are planning to start a Earn a Bike Program in Chapman Town.  HOWEVER, in order to get this program off the ground they first need to get the barn in business!

Our very on Ron Toppi, Grocery Manager and bike extrordinaire, has volunteered to help build and organize the Bike Barn.  Help is needed on Sunday, June 20th with cleaning up the workshop and creating a usable space.  If you can lend Ron a hand between 10am and 2pm, please let him know.  Here's how he can be reached:

ronbikes4peace@gmail.com or 530.588.8474

By Peter Fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer

Farmers planting strawberries and other crops in California will soon have to contend with cancer-causing poison instead of bugs, worms and fungus if regulators get their wish.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has proposed registering methyl iodide as a pesticide in California to the dismay of scientists and environmental groups, who say it is so toxic that even chemists are reluctant to handle it.

The chemical will become legal for growers to use after a 60-day comment period ending June 29 unless there is some kind of public outcry.

"This is one of the most egregious pesticides out there," said Sarah Aird, the state field organizer for Californians for Pesticide Reform, a coalition of watchdog groups opposed to the use of potentially harmful chemicals. "It is really, really toxic. It is actually used in the laboratory to induce cancer cells."

Methyl iodide was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 for use as a fumigant over the protests of more than two dozen California legislators and 54 scientists, including five Nobel laureates, who signed a letter opposing registration of the chemical.

Bush-era decision

It was approved as a replacement for methyl bromide, which experts wanted phased out because its fumes waft into the atmosphere and damage the ozone layer.

Appeals have recently been made to the Obama administration to overturn the Bush-era decision.

Methyl iodide is now licensed for use in 47 states, but it is expensive and used only sparingly in Florida and the Carolinas, mostly on strawberries and occasionally on tomatoes and peppers. Eleven states have used it at least once, according to researchers. No problems have been documented, but very few studies have been conducted, Aird and others said.

California is considered a key battleground in the fight against methyl iodide because agriculture is a major part of the economy. The substance, produced by Arysta LifeScience Corp., is used primarily to prepare strawberry fields for planting because that fruit is particularly susceptible to soil-borne pests.

The stuff is normally mixed into the dirt and covered with tarps. It kills weed seeds, insects, microscopic worms, bacteria and fungal diseases that infect plant roots.

"Fumigants, including methyl iodide, sterilize soil prior to planting," said Lea Brooks, spokeswoman for the Department of Pesticide Regulation. "It is injected into soil. It is not applied onto plants or fruit."

Brooks said the department is aware that methyl iodide is toxic, but management concluded that it could be used safely as long as protective measures were in place. If it gets registered, she said, anyone who uses the chemical will have to set up buffer zones, limit application rates and treat only a limited amount of acreage at a time. She said California's exposure limits are twice as strict as EPA's.

Flirting with disaster

Susan Kegley, a consulting scientist for Pesticide Action Network, a nonprofit public interest group in San Francisco, said approving methyl iodide would be a flirtation with disaster no matter how many safeguards are in place.

"This stuff just kills everything," said Kegley, a chemist, who pointed out that even low doses have caused neurological damage and fetal death in laboratory animals. "It is a known carcinogen."

Methyl iodide has been linked to thyroid disease, including cancerous tumors that can also affect the lungs and brain, she said. If tarps typically used to cover the treated soil were to blow off, she said, the substance could waft into the air.

"We are likely to see a greater incidence of thyroid disease with use of this chemical," said Kegley, who wears double gloves and uses syringes, a fume hood and ventilation devices whenever she handles the chemical in the lab. "The only good thing about methyl iodide is that it doesn't deplete the ozone layer."

What's really baffling, Kegley said, is that the state's own scientists concluded that the chemical posed a potential risk to public health. The department then appointed an outside review panel, which essentially came out with the same results.

Brooks said the department incorporated many of the review panel's suggestions in the final risk assessment.

"However, the members are experts in assessing pesticide risks, not in regulatory risk management that leads to decisions on registration," Brooks wrote in an e-mail to The Chronicle. "Panel members were not familiar with the many options and measures that can be put into place by risk managers to avoid unsafe exposure levels."

Pesticide opponents believe Arysta lobbyists put pressure on legislators and the regulatory agency to approve the pesticide.

"This is one of these chemicals that chemists give great respect to," Kegley said. "Allowing releases into the soil by farmers and others without training in safe handling techniques is ludicrous."

Public comments may be sent to the Pesticide Registration Branch, Department of Pesticide Regulation, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812. E-mail: mei_comments@cdpr.ca.gov.

E-mail Peter Fimrite at pfimrite@sfchronicle.com.

In September of 2010, CNFC will be participating in Eat Local, America! ELA is a national campaign sponsored by our mother co-op, the NCGA (National Cooperative Grocers Association). The month-long event, specific to natural food co-ops, aims to celebrate local farmers/producers while encouraging consumers to eat local. We here at CNFC are SO excited about this promotion and hope you are too! Please keep an eye out for updates as summer progresses. Also, I am currently looking for 3-5 dedicated Working-Members to serve on a committee which will plan and execute the event. This includes selecting local farmer/producer spokespeople, creating events and workshops, and whatever else we come up with! If you are interested in serving the Co-op in this way, please e-mail volunteer@chiconatural.com! Also, check out the ELA website here!

April's Really REALLY Free Market is this Sunday (the 11th) from 11am-2pm. If you're not familiar with the RRFM it's like a big potluck, but for items, ideas, skills, etc... Bring something to share, or just browse for treasures! Remember! There is NO money, NO bartering, and NO trading. Everything is absolutely free!

If you want to know more about the Chico RRFM, visit their facebook site.

The RRFM asks that you don't bring anything unsanitary or non-donatable (beds, monitors, etc...).  Please no food, alcohol, or illicit activities.

     The Co-op will be hosting two workshops on the Chico State Campus.  Earth Month on campus is a month-long celebration of the environment that involves Chico State student groups and the Chico community in a variety of workshops, panels, discussions and events focusing on environmental awareness and sustainable progress.  Among these events are Thursday Night Markets, Free-re-cycle, Greendance Film Festival, Yoga workshop and Eco-Fest; an all-day affair on April 17 featuring live music, eco-friendly vendors, kid's activities and food.
     CNFC will be providing the following classes:

The Price is Right: The Economics of a Locally Supported Lifestyle
April 13th, 1-2:30pm, BMU210
You already know that local food is good for our health, our community, and our planet!! The burning question now is, "Is it good for my wallet???" The answer is "YES!". Chico Natural Foods Cooperative presents a workshop and demonstration of how you can live locally on a budget. This demonstration will include price comparisons, shopping tips, and information on the organic industry structure. You will have the chance to meet local producers and sample their products! Also, you'll be given the chance to win products straight from the co-op and in turn, your community!

Seasonal Eating and Gardening
April 21st, 1-2:30pm, Location TBA
Have you ever wondered why certain produce items disappear from the Co-op shelves and the Farmer's Market?  Have you watched your lettuce continually wilt in the summer?  If you've ever been curious about seasonal gardening (and eating), this workshop is for you!  Chico Natural Foods Cooperative will address the details around when to plant, what to plant, and how to do it.  We'll also discuss how you can eat seasonally while maintaining a well balanced diet.  Just for kicks, we're going to throw in some information on composting too!

CNFC’s 2010 Annual Member Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 28th, from 6-9pm. A location will be announced soon. This meeting will introduce you to our newest additions to the Board of Directors, inform you on our fiscal development in 2009, allow you a chance to hear from all our Department Managers, and much more! Save the date and be on the lookout for more information!

Keep your eyes open for a new addition to the CNFC Health e-Newsletter. Beginning next month a link to the Jack Rawlins Advisory Board's Blog will be available to readers, directing you to news, resources, and information regarding environmental education in the North State.

Initiated in 2002 through a generous grant from North State entrepreneur and philanthropist Jack Rawlins, The Jack Rawlins Advisory Committee is a collaboration of local business leaders, public figures, and educators. They are dedicated to promoting environmental literacy throughout the North State by insuring our future citizenry with an understanding of the dynamic ecological systems we live in and the effect human actions create in our living environment.

The closing of Studio 46, their former gallery on Hwy 32, was just the beginning of an even greater venture for Kyle Delmar, Matt Barber, Andrew Terrell, and Dylan Tellesen. The four artists recently set up shop just a few blocks from the Co-op at 530 Broadway St. (previously occupied by GreenDot Design Studios). March 2010 heralds in the gallery's debut show, featuring the recent works of Delmar, Barber, Terrell, and Tellesen. April will showcase new works from Jeremy Golden and Matt Loomis, two Chico legends.  

Keep on the watch, because No Kings (the gallery's tentative title) is bound to be the new art capital of Chico.