LAKEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers,
America's Organic Headquarters, is celebrating its more than
30-year history of selling only 100% organically grown produce by
sponsoring a month-long national fundraiser for the Organic Farmers
Association (OFA). The goal of the fundraiser is to raise
$100,000 for OFA during the month of
September. "There are only about 17,000 certified organic
farms in the United States,
compared to the more than two million conventional farms," said
Heather Isely, Natural Grocers'
Executive Vice President. "The Organic Farmers Association supports
the organic farmer by elevating their influence on issues that
matter to them. Better policy means more opportunities to increase
organic acreage and improve the economic viability of organic
farming methods, which makes organic farming a more attractive
option."
Throughout September, Natural Grocers' customers will have the
opportunity to make contributions at any one of Natural Grocers'
140 store locations. Donations to the Organic Farmers Association
will help unite organic farms around the country, create
scholarship programs, provide organic farmers with a national voice
on state and federal policy, increase organic farm acreage and
expand the number of organic family farms. Kate Mendenhall, Director of Organic Farmers
Association, said: "Supporting this fundraiser is a great
opportunity to vote with your dollars and tell America the kind of
food system you want to see and support."
Currently, Americans are spending more than $47 billion on organic foods and products
annually. As more and more people become aware of the benefits of
eating nutrient dense and more flavorful organic foods, free from
dangerous chemicals and genetically modified organisms, demand is
expected to increase. Isely said: "US organic farmers need a place
at the table to advocate for policies that will enable them to meet
this growing demand." The mission of the OFA is to provide a robust
and unified national voice for domestic certified organic
producers, advocating for policies that not only ensure organic
farms will thrive, but reinforces collaboration among other states,
regional and national organic farmer organizations. "Laws and
regulations influence so much of what ends up on our plates,"
Mendenhall added. "Natural Grocers' and their customers' generous
support will allow us to better represent and directly support the
individual organic farmer, ensuring we're incentivizing all farmers
to grow healthy food in a way that helps farm families and protects
the environment."
About Organic Farmers Association
In 2016, farmers
from across the country came together to launch the Organic Farmers
Association (OFA) to unite organic farmers for a better future
together. Rodale Institute supports this initiative as fiscal
sponsor and partner with OFA's farmer leadership. Learn more at
OrganicFarmersAssociation.org.
About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Natural
Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC; NaturalGrocers.com)
is an expanding specialty retailer of organic and natural
groceries, body care and dietary supplements. The company offers a
flexible, neighborhood-store format, affordable prices and free,
science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make
informed health and nutrition choices. Founded in Colorado in 1955, Natural Grocers has more
than 3,000 employees and operates 140 stores in 19 states.
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