Helena Welcomes Natural Grocers

DENVER and HELENA, Mont., Dec 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage^® (NYSE: NGVC) is opening its newest location in Helena, Montana on December 18th.  The Helena store at 3061 North Montana Avenue will be the company's third Montana location, following stores in Billings and Missoula earlier this year.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121115/LA13448LOGO)

Natural Grocers, based in Colorado, offers only natural and organic products on its shelves: shoppers will find only USDA-certified organic produce, meats from animals raised naturally without the use of antibiotics or hormones, as well as other delicious organic and natural groceries free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. The grocery chain also offers an extensive dietary supplement and body care department, and a large selection of gluten-free and other special dietary need products.

For more than 55 years, Natural Grocers has honored the Isely family's founding principle to provide the highest standards in education and ingredients at every day affordable prices. Natural Grocers will not sell any products that contain artificial ingredients such as colors, sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, hydrogenated oils or produce grown with synthetic pesticides. (See: "What We Won't Sell and Why.") Today, the awareness of the benefits of eating natural foods is higher than ever and continues to grow, helping Natural Grocers expand to 12 states and over 60 stores.

"We feel we're a great fit for Helena," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers Co-President. "We're excited to open our doors for local residents who care about value and health, and who are looking for affordable options to help their families be healthy."

Nutritional Coaching
Natural Grocers also offers free nutritional coaching - from individualized sessions, to meal planning, to general questions about nutrition and health. Every Natural Grocers has a credentialed Nutritional Health Coach^SM in-house and all of the stores' staff is trained to help shoppers find products and resources to support optimal health. The company also offers free seminars and speakers of interest to the community (schedule available in the store and online at http://www.naturalgrocers.com/nutrition/nutrition-seminars).

Eco-friendly concept
True to the Natural Grocers philosophy, the new store was built using green features such as energy-efficient motion light sensors, 100 percent post-consumer content tiles, high efficiency heat-exchange systems, polished concrete flooring and commercial-grade LED lights.

In addition, Natural Grocers checkout is 100% free of disposable shopping bags (no paper, no plastic). In the event customers forget to bring their reusable bags, Natural Grocers offers free recycled boxes or sturdy affordable totes.

Local sourcing, local community
Natural Grocers is dedicated to its local communities, stocking locally-made products whenever possible. Natural Grocers is always looking for new local products and is eagerly willing to consider any new local products, which can be reviewed by completing a product submission form found on the web site at www.NaturalGrocers.com.

In addition, the Helena store has a Community Room where residents can come and get a free cup of coffee or tea and use free Wi-Fi access. There is also a demo kitchen for cooking presentations and available meeting space. Contact the store, or visit the Natural Grocers website, for details of the upcoming events in the new demonstration kitchen and meeting space.

Natural Grocers will be opening at 8:56 a.m. and closing at 8:04 pm from Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday will be opening at 9:56 a.m. and closing at 6:06 p.m. The store phone number is (406) 442-1000.

Opening Week 
Natural Grocers' weeklong opening celebration for Helena will take place January 6 through January 12.  Shoppers can enjoy tasty treats, free samples and giveaways such as:

• iPad compliments of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
• iPod Nano from Country Life Vitamins
• $500 Natural Grocers Gift Card donated by NOW Foods
• GPS compliments of Garden of Life
• Wii Sport Console from Nature's Way / Enzymatic Therapy
• Unique Jan Sport Super Nova backpack filled with Honest Tea products
• Gift box of selected meat cuts from Wild Idea Buffalo
• Representatives from premier supplement companies, grocery, natural cosmetic and body care beauty lines will be on-hand for consultations and demonstrations
• Free daily gift basket giveaways
• Lots of free reusable grocery bag giveaways to help ease shoppers' transition to Natural Grocers' paper and plastic bag-free commitment (**Natural Grocers will also donate a nickel to the local food bank every time a customer checks out with his or her own bags.)

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE: NGVC), founded in Colorado by Margaret & Philip Isely in 1955, was built on the premise that consumers should have access to the knowledge and affordable high-quality ingredients to help manage their own health. The family-run store has since grown into a successful national chain with locations across Colorado, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, Nebraska and Arizona -- employing approximately 1700 employees to date.  The company went public in July 2012, however the Isely family continues to manage the company, building upon the cornerstones of their parents' business.  Natural Grocers' popularity and success can be traced back to its founding principles – providing customers high quality products at every day affordable prices.  Today, Natural Grocers also offers in-store nutritional support programs, free public health & wellness seminars and free access to Nutritional Health Coaches.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in, or referenced by, this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our S-1 registration statement, copies of which may be obtained by contacting investor relations at 303-986-4600 or by visiting our website at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage