Natural Grocers Kicks Off Campaign to Help Victims of Oklahoma Tornado and Colorado Wildfire Disasters

DENVER and NORMAN, Okla., June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage^® (NYSE: NGVC) will be matching donations made at any of its 68 Natural Grocers locations beginning June 22 through June 29^th.  All funds raised, plus matching funds up to $25,000, will be equitably divided between the OKStrong Disaster Relief Fund and the Colorado Red Cross to benefit victims of the recent tornadoes and wildfires.  Funds will be allocated to the highest need within the affected communities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121115/LA13448LOGO)

"Everyone is pitching in, and we want to do what we can to help," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers Co-President.  "We have team members on the ground in Norman, and in Tulsa, and their reports are devastating.  The destructive affects of Colorado's Black Forest can be felt here in our backyard." 

Shoppers at all Natural Grocers locations may choose to donate at the register for the Oklahoma Tornado and Colorado Wildfire victims between June 22- June 29^th.   Those funds will then be matched by Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage and sent directly to the OKStrong Disaster Relief Fund and the Colorado Red Cross once the campaign ends.

Natural Grocers, a Colorado-based organic and natural foods grocery, has special ties to the regions, having opened its first Oklahoma store in Norman in 2011, with a second Oklahoma location opening next week in Tulsa on June 25th.  Colorado has been home to the family-managed grocer since 1955, which has now grown to include 68 locations across 13 states.

Natural Grocers has a long-standing commitment to help its local communities year round.  "Along with our regular food donations to local food banks, we also include funds from bag credits in all the communities we serve.   We also do a special push every November and December to match cash donations for local food banks," said Nancy Flynn, Marketing Director for Natural Grocers.   "Cash is extremely important in helping to assist with the long-term needs of the victims, which is why we are giving our shoppers throughout the country this opportunity to help. We hope to build on the generosity of our shoppers and make as much of an impact as we are able with the matching funds." 

Natural Grocers sells only natural and organic products  -- nothing containing added hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, artificial colors or flavors -- as well as a large selection of gluten-free and other special dietary products.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE: NGVC), founded in Colorado by Margaret & Philip Isely in 1955, was built on the premise that consumers should have access to affordable, high-quality foods and dietary supplements, with nutrition knowledge to help them support their own health. The family-run store has since grown into a successful national chain with locations across Colorado, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Arizona and Oregon-- employing over 1800 employees to date.  The company went public in July 2012; however, Isely family members continue to manage the company, building upon the cornerstones of their parents' business.  Natural Grocers' popularity and success can be traced back to its founding principles – providing customers high quality products at every day affordable prices.  Today, Natural Grocers also offers in-store nutritional support programs, free public health & wellness seminars and free access to Nutritional Health Coaches.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes "safe harbor" statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for historical information, statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, copies of which may be obtained by contacting investor relations at 303-986-4600 or by visiting our website at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com.

CONTACT:

Merredith Branscombe
LEAP Public Relations for Natural Grocers
[email protected]
720.235.7363 (Direct)

SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.