LAKEWOOD, Colo., April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers, the Colorado-based organic and natural food pioneer, is officially celebrating its 60^th anniversary the week of April 22. Several local and regional events are planned. 

Natural Grocers' history dates back to 1955, and to celebrate its longevity and ties to the Denver metro area, Natural Grocers will plant a total of 30 trees in three communities with significant or historic meaning to the company:

• Denver: April 21 – 9 a.m. at Garland Park
• Golden (founding city): April 22 – 1 p.m. at Vanover Park (joined by students from Bell Middle School)
• Lakewood: April 23 – 9 a.m. at Addenbrooke Park

In addition to tree planting, Natural Grocers is making a $5,000 donation to Denver Urban Gardens (DUG), a local non-profit that supports Denver residents in creating sustainable, food-producing neighborhood and school community gardens.

As part of a joint celebration of its 60^th Anniversary and Earth Day, Natural Grocers will be offering the following on April 22 at all of its 95 stores in 16 states:

• Free plant-at-home vegetable seed packets to the first 50 paying customers
• Free reusable bag to every paying customer (while supplies last)
• Free Special Edition copy of the book "Cows Save the Planet" to the first 60 customers who spend $60 or more (Note: author Judith Schwartz will be doing free book signings at seven Denver metro area stores)

"This anniversary celebrates our 60 year commitment to health, nutrition, empowerment and sustainability," said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers and founding family member. "We are so thankful to every community and every customer that has supported Natural Grocers over the past 60 years. Our parents started this company by planting seeds of health and empowerment, and we'll continue planting those seeds for years to come."

Founded in 1955 by Margaret and Philip Isely, Natural Grocers was built to empower consumers with affordable, high-quality foods and dietary supplements, along with nutrition knowledge to help them support their own health – an attitude that was "ahead of its time" 60 years ago. From the beginning, Natural Grocers has stressed the importance of nutrition education and supporting local communities – two of its Five Founding Principles. Over the years, Natural Grocers has offered thousands of free nutrition education classes to more than 50,000 customers, and has donated more than $1 million to local food banks and non-profit community organizations.

Natural Grocers, a family-run, publicly traded company, has grown into a successful national chain with 95 locations across Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, employing more than 2,000 people. Natural Grocers continues to grow, with the expected addition of 18 stores during fiscal year 2015.

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About Natural Grocers

Natural Grocers, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC; NaturalGrocers.com) is a rapidly expanding specialty retailer of organic and natural groceries, body care and dietary supplements. The company offers a flexible, small-store format, affordable prices and free science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers has over 2,000 employees and operates more than 90 stores in 16 states. Founded in Colorado in 1955, the company is celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2015.

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SOURCE Natural Grocers