Natural Grocers® Invites Independence, MO Community to Celebrate Grand Remodel Celebration on June 20, 2024

Customers will enjoy 25% off from June 20-22, plus giveaways, sweepstakes, samples and more at the newly remodeled store

LAKEWOOD, Colo., June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers®, the leading family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer in the U.S., is pleased to announce a Remodel Celebration at its Independence, MO store on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Located at 19019 E. 48^th Street S., the Independence store is one of seven Natural Grocers stores within the state of Missouri. Community members are invited to celebrate the store's updated and improved design starting at 8:27 AM, with exciting giveaways, sales, free samples and more.

THE INDEPENDENCE NATURAL GROCERS
"The Natural Grocers good4u® Crew has been proud to serve the communities of Missouri since the opening of our Columbia store in 2011. We're excited to give Independence customers a fresh atmosphere at the same convenient location at the corner of Highway 40 and Valley View Parkway," said Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing for Natural Grocers. "We've had the pleasure of serving Independence and its surrounding communities for more than 10 years at this location. The updates and exciting new features will help us continue to empower, educate and engage with our customers. If you're already part of the Natural Grocers Family, we invite you to come celebrate with the friendly Crew you're accustomed to. If you are new to Natural Grocers, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know us in a fun, festive, Always Affordable^SM atmosphere."

CELEBRATION DETAILS – FREEBIES, DISCOUNTS & SWEEPSTAKES
Natural Grocers' good4u® Crew will kick off the Grand Remodel festivities at 8:15 AM with a $2,500 donation presentation to Lunch Partners Ministries,— its local food bank partner, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the store manager and additional community leaders. Doors will open at 8:27 AM with exciting giveaways, sweepstakes, sales and free samples within a friendly atmosphere.

Special offers at the Independence, MO location start on June 20 and will include:

• June 20 – 22 only: Unbeatable celebration savings of 25% off everything in the store. Everything.^[i]
• June 20: Mystery Gift Cards for First 150 Customers – The first 150 customers in line will receive a mystery Natural Grocers gift card (with varying amounts between $5 - $500)!^[ii]
• June 20: Free Natural Grocers Hand-Crafted Drawstring Backpack – The first 500 shoppers will receive a hand-crafted Natural Grocers Ecuadorian drawstring backpack bag, made of alpaca wool. Each item is uniquely woven and is the result of a special collaboration Natural Grocers has with a group of indigenous artisans in Peguche, Ecuador.^[iii]
• June 20: Prize Wheel – Customers can spin the Natural Grocers prize wheel from noon to 5 PM for a chance to win fun prizes.^[iv]
• June 20 – July 31: Up to 52% Off – Premium-quality products from every department will be available at spectacular discounts, including 100% USDA Certified Organic blueberries ($2.49/6 oz), bacon and bacon alternatives ($2.99/package), Natural Grocers^® Brand Organic Cheese shreds and slices ($2.99/each) and Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Dried Mango ($6.99/10 oz).^[v]
• June 20 – July 3: Grand Remodel Sweepstakes – Customers will have the chance to win fabulous prizes, such as an Aventon e-bike (valued at $1400), a $500 Natural Grocers gift card and more. Entry forms will be available at the store.^[vi]

{N}POWER^® MEMBERSHIP
For even more savings, customers can join {N}power, Natural Grocers' free rewards program for exclusive discounts, digital coupons, rewards benefits, and other members-only features.^[vii]

• June 20 – July 31: {N}power^® members will receive exclusive pricing on items such as Dr. Bronner's^® Liquid Soaps ($12.99/32 oz), Natural Grocers Brand Organic Maple Syrup ($6.49/8 oz), USDA Certified Organic avocados (.99¢ each), and Kerrygold^TM Pure Irish Butters ($3.99/8 oz).^[viii]

To join {N}power, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/npower.

WHAT'S NEW?
Supported by its Natural Grocers good4uCrew, the store's interior will be brighter, with a more contemporary floor plan. The company, ever-conscious of its environmental impact, has upgraded the existing space with sustainable building features and energy-saving innovations, such as less harsh building materials and 100% LED lighting, for a lighter environmental footprint. Additionally, customers visiting the Independence, MO location will undoubtedly notice the breathing room for their body care, bananas, B-12 and more!

• 100% Organic Produce for Days: Natural Grocers, a champion of organic produce, is proud to feature a more spacious selection of 100% USDA certified organic produce at the remodeled store. From apples to zucchini, every piece of produce avoids cross-contamination with conventional/GMO items and is grown without synthetic pesticides, practices that are common among grocers with conventional produce offerings. Natural Grocers also does not carry products that use Apeel^TM and Organipeel^TM produce coatings, as neither meet the natural and organic retailer's high product standards.
• Gorgeous Body Care and Beauty Expansion: Customers are invited to enjoy a bigger and better body care department, in-line with the high standards Natural Grocers is known for; prioritizing natural, innovative and ethical products that deliver results without the compromise.
• A Super-Sized Supplement Department: With over 5,000 SKUs, Natural Grocers offers a large selection of vitamins and supplements, backed by Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certification and ingredient authenticity. 
• A Modernized Checkout Queue: Never choose "the wrong checkout line" again! The updated checkout queue is a game-changer in efficiency, helping customers complete a satisfying shopping experience.

WHAT STAYS THE SAME?
Serving customers with a wide range of natural and organic options since 1955, Natural Grocers will continue to support the community with world-class customer service from its knowledgeable and friendly good4u Crew, as well as:

• A focus on Regenerative Products and Practices: From checkouts free from single use bags, to organic, non-GMO and Always Affordable Natural Grocers brand products and ecologically thoughtful in-store features, the company focuses on a mutually beneficial relationship with nature.
• Premium-Quality Products at an Always Affordable Price^SM: Access high-quality organic and natural groceries including 100% pasture-raised eggs and dairy, 100% non-GMO prepackaged bulk goods, and household essentials at an Always Affordable Price ^SM. Natural Grocers also prioritizes humanely sourced and sustainably raised meats.
• Nutritional Health Coaching: The community will continue to have direct access to the store's Nutritional Health Coach (NHC) to help support their health and wellness journeys with free, one-on-one, personalized nutritional health coaching sessions and personalized shopping experiences. In fiscal year 2023, Natural Grocers invested over $6 million to provide free education for both customers and Crew. Customers are invited to book free sessions, by visiting www.naturalgrocers.com/nutritional-health-coaches or inquiring in-store.
• A Commitment to Crew: Natural Grocers is passionate about ensuring that its employees can live a healthy, balanced life. The Company is committed to positively impacting Crew's physical, emotional and financial well-being with free nutrition education programs, excellent benefits and access to the highest quality, affordably priced products. The average rate for hourly store Crew was more than $21 as of November 2023, including $1.00 per hour in store credit, in Vitamin Bucks – a program that is unique to Natural Grocers.

LUNCH PARTNERS MINISTRIES PARTNERSHIP
Natural Grocers partners with Lunch Partners Ministries for its "Bring Your Own Bag Program" to serve people in Independence, MO facing hunger. Each time a customer brings their own shopping bag, Natural Grocers donates five cents per shopping trip to this organization.

Dan Keleher, Board Chairman of Lunch Partners Ministries stated, "This unique volunteer enterprise has sought to address the growing need for food and clothing in Harry Truman's hometown since 1991. We offer food relief bags or emergency meal bags to needy folks who find themselves homeless or struggling to make ends meet in these inflationary times. Clothing, shoes and basics of hygiene are also available.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday our grocery line offers a chance to select donated meats, breads, desserts, produce and dairy items. Patrons then pick up a full lunch-to-go as well. Our cooks have lovingly prepared over a million nourishing meals over the years. Natural Grocers plays a key role in these efforts with food rescue donations. The 'Bring Your Own Bag Program' also provides quarterly funds to purchase ingredients for our lunch meals.

We are so thankful for Natural Grocers' support and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future."

To volunteer or donate to Lunch Partners, contact board chairman Dan Keleher at [email protected] or leave a message at 816-254-6040.

• Learn more about Natural Grocers by visiting www.naturalgrocers.com.
• Click here to learn more about Natural Grocers' 5 Founding Principles—including its "Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew".
• For media inquiries contact [email protected].
• For a complimentary media kit, click here.

ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its "Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew". In fiscal year 2023, the Company invested $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168 stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations. 

^[i] Offer valid only on 6/20/2024, is redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers' Independence, MO location, and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

^[ii] Quantity limited to first 150 customers in line at Natural Grocers' Independence, MO location. No rain checks. Limit one gift card per customer 18 years or older. Valid 6/20/24 only. Void where prohibited by law.

^[iii] Quantity limited to first 500 shoppers at Natural Grocers' Independence, MO location. No rain checks. Limit one per customer, 18 years or older. Valid 6/20/24 only. Void where prohibited by law.

^[iv] Prize wheel available at Natural Grocers' Independence, MO location. No purchase necessary. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Valid 6/20/24, 12 PM – 5 PM only, while supplies last.

^[v] Offers valid only from 6/20/24 to 7/31/24, are redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers' Independence, MO location, and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

^[vi] No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open only to legal respondents of the following states who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry: AZ, AR, CO, CO, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes starts on 6/20/24 and ends on 7/3/24. For official rules and complete details, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/sweepstakes. Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc.

^[vii] Customers can sign up for {N}power here. Message and data rates may apply. See naturalgrocers.com/privacy for the Company's Privacy Policy and naturalgrocers.com/terms for the {N}Power terms of use.

^[viii] Must be an {N}power member to receive these discounts. Limit 4 of each item, per customer. Offers valid only from 6/20/24 to 7/31/24, are redeemable only for in-store customer purchases at Natural Grocers' Independence, MO location and cannot be combined with other offers. Quantity limited to stock on hand; no rain checks. Pricing excludes taxes and is subject to change without notice. Natural Grocers reserves the right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.