Natural Grocers® Celebrates Sustainability Milestone, While Giving Back to Communities

Since 2009, Company prevents 500 million single-use plastic bags from impacting the environment with disposable bag-free checkouts

LAKEWOOD, Colo., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Natural Grocers®, the nation’s largest family-operated natural and organic retailer, is pleased to announce an important sustainability milestone: preventing 500 million single-use plastic bags from impacting the environment since 2009 with its disposable bag-free checkouts and additional practices to reduce packaging and waste.

BRING YOUR OWN BAG PROGRAM

Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers is known for its commitment to the health and wellbeing of humans, animals and the planet. As part of this ongoing commitment, the company adopted single-use bag-free checkouts at the register in 2009, with its ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ program.

The company encourages customers to bring their own bags, actively promotes reusable bags and offers upcycled cardboard boxes from shipments. Each time a customer brings their own bag, Natural Grocers donates 5¢ to local established food bank partners.

Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing for Natural Grocers states, “Natural Grocers is proud to achieve this milestone, with the help of our conscientious customers. Eliminating the use of plastic bags at checkout was a system-level decision that was enthusiastically embraced by our company, customers and good4u^SM Crew, knowing it was an important way to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bag waste. This practice has also enabled us to donate over $1.5 million to our local food banks, which perfectly aligns with one of our Five Founding Principles, ‘A Commitment to Community’. From the smallest to the largest, we believe sustainable practices contribute to the positive changes we are committed to seeing in the world. Natural Grocers continues to drive these practices within the industry, while educating our customers to support a more regenerative future for the planet.”

ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS OF PACKAGING AND WASTE

• Produce Bags: In 2020 Natural Grocers switched to plant-based, backyard-compostable produce bags and 100% recycled, recyclable, and compostable paper bags.
• Plastic: Reduced plastic stretch wrap in bulk packaging facility and distribution center by approximately 50% from prior year, while the volume of product handled increased.
• Product Selection: To eliminate unnecessary food waste, Natural Grocers does not typically offer self-service bulk bins, deli counters, meat/seafood counters or salad bars at their stores.
• Natural Grocers Brand Products: The company sources packaging that is recyclable, biodegradable and/or compostable and apply minimum sufficient packaging practices.

2022 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE REPORT

Natural Grocers approaches Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics with the same mindset as its product standards and nutrition education: rigorous, evidence-based and thoughtfully considered. Those who are interested in learning more about the company’s adoption of practices intended to deliver positive social and environmental changes, can read its ESG Report for the fiscal year 2022 reporting period, found at the link below.

• https://www.naturalgrocers.com/esg-report
• Visit www.naturalgrocers.com/sustainability to learn more about the company’s regenerative and sustainable practices.
• For media inquiries, please email [email protected].

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 make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company has 166 stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations.

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.