Natural Grocers® Releases Fiscal Year 2024 Sustainability Report

Rhea-AI Summary

Natural Grocers (NYSE: NGVC) has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing its commitment to health, sustainability, and community impact. As America's largest family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer, the company maintained strong performance while advancing its environmental and social initiatives.

Key achievements in 2024 include:

• Maintaining rigorous product standards across all categories
• Partnering with Rodale Institute, raising over $80,000 for farmer training programs
• Donating more than $4 million in food and products to food banks
• Investing over $7 million in free nutrition education services
• Installing CO2 refrigeration systems for enhanced environmental protection
• Expanding the 'Meet Your Farmer' documentary series

Co-president Kemper Isely emphasized the company's nearly 70-year commitment to transforming how food is grown, raised, and sold, while maintaining its Five Founding Principles. The company's record financial performance in fiscal year 2024 demonstrates that sustainable and affordable food systems are both viable and essential.

Company's 2024 Sustainability Report Showcases Continued Leadership in Health, Sustainability, and Community Impact

LAKEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC), is proud to release its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting the values and practices that drive America's largest family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer. This year's report celebrates how Natural Grocers continues to prioritize affordable, high-quality, and environmentally conscious products while sharing stories of vendors, farmers, and partnerships that reflect the company's dedication to human health, animal welfare, and the planet. 

By staying true to its Five Founding Principles, Natural Grocers aims to create lasting, positive change. "At Natural Grocers, we see grocery stores as a vital link in the food chain — integral to the health of people and the planet," said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers. "For nearly 70 years, Natural Grocers has been committed to driving change in how food is grown, raised and sold — and we remain as dedicated as ever. This year's sustainability report highlights our rigorous product standards, commitment to regenerative agriculture, dedication to nutrition education, investment in our good4u^SM Crew's well-being, and partnerships that strengthen communities and protect the environment."

As Natural Grocers looks toward the future, its record financial performance in fiscal year 2024 underscores the company's belief that a more sustainable and affordable food system is not only possible but also essential. With each step forward, the company remains dedicated to building a healthier, more sustainable food system for generations to come.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2024 REPORT
In 2024 Natural Grocers:

• Maintained industry leadership with rigorous product standards across all categories (including its minimum egg standard of free-range), upholding its stance against artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners (as defined by Company standards), synthetic colors, and partially or fully hydrogenated oils.
• Partnered with Rodale™ Institute to advance regenerative organic agriculture and raised over $80,000 during Organic Month to support its Farmer Training and Veteran Farmer Training Programs.
• Donated more than $4 million of in-kind food and products to local food bank partners.
• Invested more than $7 million to offer free nutrition education services, provided by its Nutritional Health Coaches to its customers, good4u Crew, and communities.
• Installed a CO₂ refrigeration system in a third store, which saves energy and provides enhanced environmental protection compared to conventional refrigerant technologies.
• Expanded its "Meet Your Farmer" film series. These short documentaries showcase the farmers and ranchers behind specific  products you'll find at Natural Grocers — those who are changing the way our food is produced to ensure a livable, healthy tomorrow.

LEARN MORE
To view the company's complete Fiscal Year 2024 Sustainability report, click here. To learn more about Natural Grocers' practices that reflect its steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, visit www.naturalgrocers.com/sustainability.

• Click here for a complimentary press kit and email kmacarelli@naturalgrocers.com for any additional media inquiries.

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 grocery products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners (as defined by its standards), synthetic colors, 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 and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its "Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew". In fiscal year 2024, the Company invested more than $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168 stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information and store locations. 

 

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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.

FAQ

What were Natural Grocers' (NGVC) major sustainability achievements in 2024?

In 2024, Natural Grocers maintained rigorous product standards, partnered with Rodale Institute raising $80,000 for farmer training, donated over $4 million to food banks, invested $7 million in nutrition education, and expanded environmental initiatives including CO2 refrigeration systems.

How much did Natural Grocers (NGVC) invest in nutrition education in 2024?

Natural Grocers invested more than $7 million to provide free nutrition education services through their Nutritional Health Coaches to customers, employees, and communities in 2024.

What environmental initiatives did Natural Grocers (NGVC) implement in 2024?

Natural Grocers implemented CO2 refrigeration systems in a third store for enhanced environmental protection and energy savings, maintained strict product standards, and supported regenerative organic agriculture through partnerships.

How much did Natural Grocers (NGVC) donate to food banks in 2024?

Natural Grocers donated more than $4 million worth of in-kind food and products to local food bank partners during 2024.

What was Natural Grocers' (NGVC) partnership with Rodale Institute in 2024?

Natural Grocers partnered with Rodale Institute to advance regenerative organic agriculture and raised over $80,000 during Organic Month to support its Farmer Training and Veteran Farmer Training Programs.