In this episode of Common Roots, we talked with Ashley-Juhl Darlington, Founder of Bapa’s Market in Chico, California. Bapa’s Market is part of a new development in the Meriam Park neighborhood, an innovative community and cultural center focused on sustainability and collaboration. With 3 diverse districts prioritizing third places, offices, and single and multi-family housing, Ashley is excited to be a part of this intentional community.
“My store is located in an up-and-coming development called Meriam Park, which is designed to be sort of an intentional community, meaning you have people who live here, work here, and shop here,” she says “Our courthouse is here, we have a cancer center that’s in development, and there are also about 1,000 residents. So, the goal with Meriam Park was to create a little community within a community.”
Ashley Juhl-Darlington
Having just opened in September of 2024, Ashley created Bapa’s Market to meet the needs of this growing community while channeling her own passions for natural foods, health, and healthy eating. “I’ve always loved the natural foods industry,” she says "Whenever I travel, I always find the little health food store or co-op. And so, it dawned on me, why isn’t there a market in my own community?”
As a long-time healthcare professional with 30 years of experience in the field, Ashley has a unique outlook on the ways that healthy eating can transform overall health. “I’ve been in healthcare in a myriad of capacities for close to 30 years,” she says “Eating healthy natural foods should be accessible, especially in the Northern California region. We have a plethora of farmers who are farming everything from walnuts to almonds to olive oils.”
She says that this abundance of local food was one of the guiding forces that got her into the natural foods industry. “I love being able to not only support the community at large but also support our local farmers and artisans.” Some of Ashley’s favorite local products include fresh bread from local bakery Camina, and organic and sustainable wines from Amy Atwood, a portfolio-based importer in the Bay Area.
Another guiding force was her grandfather, the namesake of Bapa’s Market. “Bapa was an instrumental part of our family who wholeheartedly believed in giving back to the community, so I named the market after him.”
Listen to the episode here.
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