DENVER and FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, (NYSE: NGVC) is opening its first of three stores in Arizona today in Flagstaff. The two additional stores are planned for Sedona and Prescott. Natural Grocers is a regional grocery chain with a focus on natural, organic, and affordably priced products. This new Flagstaff location brings an even broader selection of healthful, fresh, organic and natural food and products to local residents.

As part of its mission, Natural Grocers offers only USDA certified organic produce and all natural meats from animals naturally raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones. Also the grocery chain has an extensive supplement and body care department, a large selection of gluten-free products and other special dietary need products. In addition, the store offers an extensive bulk department – including serve yourself bulk peanut butter, almond butter and cashew butter – as well as a huge selection of organic and natural groceries free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. 

For more than 55 years, the Isely family has managed Natural Grocers. Part of their commitment to maintain a true natural foods store is to avoid selling any products that contain artificial ingredients such as sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, hydrogenated oils or produce grown with synthetic pesticides. See "What We Won't Sell and Why." (www.naturalgrocers.com/products/what-we-wont-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 56 stores in 12 states.

"Flagstaff residents have a strong commitment to healthy lifestyles, both in their enjoyment of the activities in the northern Arizona mountains and their desire to embrace natural foods, like those offered in our store," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers co-President.  "We expect summer visitors, skiers, college students and year-round residents to quickly realize that Natural Grocers offers excellent value and selection."

Nutritional Counseling
In addition to only offering foods that meet the Isely family's high standards for quality and health, 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 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://naturalspeakers.com.)

Eco-friendly concept
True to the Natural Grocers philosophy, the new store was retrofitted for use at 503 W. Clay Avenue – the Flagstaff Armory building. It was designed with a variety of energy-efficient features including motion light sensors, 100% post-consumer content tiles, polished concrete flooring and commercial-grade LED lights.  

In addition, Natural Grocers is 100 percent shopping bag free (no paper, no plastic). In the event a customer forgets to bring their reusable bags, Natural Grocers offers free recycled boxes, but of course, they do sell inexpensive reusable shopping bags as well.

Local sourcing, local community
Natural Grocers is dedicated to its local communities, stocking local 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 application on the website at www.naturalgrocers.com and click on the Natural Products tab.

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

Starting July 31, Natural Grocers at 503 W. Clay Street in Flagstaff will be open Monday through Saturday at 8:56 a.m. closing at 8:04 pm and Sunday opening at 9:56 a.m. and closing at 6:06 p.m.  The store phone number will be 928 779-4172.

Opening Week 
Natural Grocers' week long opening celebration for Flagstaff will take place July 31 – August 5.  Shoppers can enjoy tasty treats, free samples and giveaways, including:

• iPad compliments of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
• iPod shuffle 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
• Collectors' Backpack filled with tea and juices from Honest Tea
• 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 chair massage Tuesday, July 31 and Saturday, August 4, mid-day for four hours
• 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 a local food bank every time a customer checks out with their own bags.) 

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Since 1955, Colorado based, family operated, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has grown from the "Mom & Pop" grass-roots business, started by Margaret & Philip Isely.  Their children have now grown the stores to a national chain with locations in Colorado, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, Nebraska and now Arizona-- employing more than 1500 employees to date and still run by their children and grandchildren. The original family goal to offer Every Day Affordable Prices is a foundation of their business, enabling everyone to afford the products necessary to maintain their own healthcare. Education and Customer Service are cornerstones of Natural Grocers, as evidenced by their in-store nutritional support programs, free nutritional coaches and free public health & wellness seminars.

Natural Grocers provides a variety of over 25,000 organic and all natural products, selling only USDA certified organic produce, all natural body care products and the largest selection in the country of vitamins, minerals and herbs, combined with a knowledgeable and trained staff. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and their other store locations.

Contacts:

Nancy Flynn
Director of Marketing
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
(877) 986-4600 x144

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.