The company was founded in 1955 and today, there are 144 stores in 19 states, including two stores in Clark County
Brooke Strickland
For ClarkCountyToday.com
VANCOUVER — For nearly 63 years, Natural Grocers has worked to provide nutritional support through quality products for people around the country.
The company was founded in 1955 and today, there are 144 stores in 19 states, including two stores in Clark County alone. The company was built on the premise that consumers should have access to top quality foods and dietary supplements at affordable prices. But, it doesn’t stop there. Natural Grocers also offers people nutritional knowledge that can help support their own health and help them reach their goals to live healthy, active lifestyles.
Hannah Stipek, MS, a nutritional health coach at the Hazel Dell location of Natural Grocers shares, “Every product we sell in our stores is sold for a reason and a purpose, and not just because it sells. We sell only organic produce because it is healthier and more nutritious for our customers and the growing of organics is better for our planet. No other grocery store can say this. We believe that our standards resonate with customers and people looking for healthier food choices at affordable prices, and we believe that communities are looking for this choice.”
The company prides itself on bringing the best of the best to Clark County residents. In addition to the produce being 100 percent USDA certified organic, all other products in the store have no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats/oils, artificial colors or flavors, or harmful artificial sweeteners. All meat sold at Natural Grocers is raised naturally with no antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones and dairy products are pasture-raised.
In addition to its high standards for product selection, Natural Grocers is committed to nutrition education, too. Every Natural Grocers location employs a nutritional health coach that offers free nutrition classes, free one-on-one health coaching sessions, and other free events and classes that are held around the community in public locations.
The company also brings in local health professionals to be guest presenters. The calendar of upcoming events can be found online or at every cash register in the stores. Natural Grocers in Hazel Dell is currently working on hosting a large community event called the Northwest Proud Local Products Fair on March 3, where customers can meet local vendors and sample local Northwest products. This Natural Grocers location will also be announcing a date for an upcoming blood drive and plans to bring in the American Red Cross for that event.
As for the question of why Natural Grocers is succeeding in Clark County, Stipek says she believes there are some important reasons why that is.
“There are multiple reasons why Natural Grocers is succeeding in Vancouver,’’ Stipek said. “Not only do our standards meet the community’s needs and expectations, but we are supporting local businesses, local products and the environment. For example, we’re helping the environment by being a “bagless” store, which aligns with the goals of this community. The customer appreciation program offers huge savings and benefits to make good quality food even more affordable, and the Nutritional Health Coach has been present in the community offering free nutritional resources since the store opened.”
Stipek believes that the future for Natural Grocers in the Clark County community is a bright one. She says, “In the future, I hope to continue having a positive impact on the Clark County community by continuing to spread the word about Natural Grocers’ standards, inviting more community members to the free classes and the other services offered, as well as taking part in more events to better serve this amazing community.”
The two Natural Grocers’ locations in Clark County are at 7604 NE 5th Ave. in Hazel Dell and 3311 SE 192nd Ave. on the eastside of Vancouver.
For more information, including upcoming events at Natural Grocers’ Clark County locations, visit https://www.naturalgrocers.com/store-location/vancouver/ .
