LAKEWOOD, Colo., July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers, the Colorado-based organic and natural food pioneer, will celebrate its 60^th anniversary on August 13. The company has planned several events in celebration.

Natural Grocers' history dates back to 1955 and to commemorate its 60-year milestone, the company will host an anniversary Ice Cream Social – 100 simultaneous ice cream parties taking place in all 100 stores throughout the company. The Ice Cream Social will also serve to highlight Natural Grocers' dedication to a Pasture-Based Dairy Standard – the strictest in the industry.

In celebration of the company's 60 years of empowering health, Natural Grocers will offer the following on August 13 at all of its 100 stores in 17 states:

• Ice Cream Social featuring dairy and non-dairy sundaes and root beer floats (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Free limited-edition 60^th Anniversary reusable bag with purchase (while supplies last)
• Sixty percent off select products
• USDA Certified Organic produce tastings
• {N}power™ double points on all items for customers
• Discount on limited-edition 60^th Anniversary shirts
• Chance to win a $60 Natural Grocers gift card, a copy of the book "Cows Save the Planet," and 60^th Anniversary t-shirts
• Chance to win a new bike (2 bike giveaways per store)

"This celebration is our way of saying thank you to all of our customers for their loyal support over the past 60 years," said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers and a founding family member. "Our belief in nutrition education and access to quality, healthy food at affordable prices has been our focus since 1955, and we look forward to sharing this with more communities in the future."

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 individuals support their own health – an approach 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.

Family-run Natural Grocers has grown into a successful national chain with 100 locations in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, employing more than 2,200 people.

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About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, 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, neighborhood-store format, affordable prices and free science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers has more than 2,200 employees and operates 100 stores in 17 states. Founded in Colorado in 1955, the company is celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2015.

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SOURCE Natural Grocers