A food co-op is an organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those who use its services.

Members of a cooperative support it with their patronage, participate in decision-making, and share in the profits generated by the organization's activities. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

Chico Natural Foods Cooperative visualizes a food industry where refinement, manipulation, packaging, and synthetic ingredients are kept to a minimum; where integrity and organic practices are the standard - an industry that cares about the environment and the health of its people.