Company News

11/2/08 - Help us support your local Food Bank

This season, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage is proud to be once again partnering with local Food Banks in the "Check Out Hunger" campaign.

During the months of November and December, NGVC will match all customer donations, $ for $, up to $50,000, to help those in need.

Because of the money collected and donated in 2007, we were able to serve 187,243 meals at 13 sites to children identified as at-risk of hunger.

Please join us in our efforts to fight hunger and make your donation today at your local Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage.

09/29/08 - Voted Best Gourmet Grocery in Denver

TheDenverChannel.com asked viewers for their favorite gourmet grocery store -- and we were rated #1!

Read what our customers have to say about us...

08/07/08 - Vote for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage!

TheDenverChannel.com is asking viewers for their favorite gourmet grocery store -- cast your vote! Also read what our customers have to say about us. If you have ordered from NaturalGrocers.com, you can also have a chance to win a free gas card by reviewing our services.

In this election year, we are committed to the highest quality all-natural products at everyday affordable prices for your family -- and we approve this message. If you approve of the job we are doing, let us know!

06/23/08 - ACTION ALERT: Oppose FDA's Restriction on BHRT

An attack is under way against a woman's right to know as well as her access to bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), and the information women need to make their own health decisions is in jeopardy. Learn more »

12/11/07 - Vitamin Cottage joins the efforts of ABC's Extreme Makeover:Home Edition

HSN2 is a rare genetic disorder that usually begins in childhood by affecting the nerves that serve the lower arms and hands and the lower legs and feet (the peripheral nerves) intensely degenerative and progressive. One significant symptom of this disease is the body’s inability to regulate its own temperature and the sensation of pain, so someone with this condition may not know when they have sustained a serious cut or injury, unless the pain is extreme. The disorder affects many of the body’s systems, one of which is the inability to control their own body temperature. The body overheats without warning or sensation.

But we’re not writing about this disease, only about how it affects one cute little 10 year old girl named Kayla Woodhouse and her family of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

On October 7, 2007 Kayla’s family were recipients of an amazing gift from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition** and the generosity of Colorado Springs retailers and residents. A new home provided by Premier Homes, was underway and completed in 6 days. This home contains a state of the art heating and cooling system, which is necessary for Kayla’s body temperature necessitating she maintain a constant climate of 62 degrees. She even wears a NASA cooling vest at night to prevent overheating, as her body cannot do this for her.

Many local businesses donated food and goods to the volunteer builders that worked 24 hours a day, tirelessly to complete this project. Many retailers providing services and products to sustain the family for now and into their future. CU has provided full-ride scholarships for the 2 Woodhouse children when the time comes for them to apply to a university. Comcast has provided technical services in the home to help with their necessary and recreational needs as they seldom can leave home in fear of not being able to maintain the controlled environment Kayla requires. Many other local businesses and professionals have come forward to give the amazing support that makes a community strong.

The family was forced to sell their home last year to help cover the medical bills from an extensive surgery for Kayla. Mounting medical bills reached over $500,000. The father, Jeremy, is an assistant pastor with a local congregation and the mother, Kim, stays home to care for her daughter around the clock and their 12- year old son, Joshua. Kim home schools her children as well.

Kayla’s doctors have advised she keep a diet of only all natural or organic foods and supplements to maintain optimum health. This has been an additional burden financially for this family on a very limited income. Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers has been their source of shopping for these special foods so not only were the owners of Vitamin Cottage happy to help the Woodhouses’ by stocking their new kitchen pantry with healthful groceries to suit their special dietary needs, but have additionally provided the family with groceries for a year.

Vitamin Cottage also assigned a special nutritional coach & dietician to assist Kayla’s family with their special dietary needs to help maintain a healthful balance. Whereas this is a free service to all Vitamin Cottage customers, a special protocol has been created to assist this particular condition and the nutritional coach will be there every step of the way to help them locate not only the products to fulfill this special diet but any information that will help assist their health and wellness needs in this extraordinary situation.

The gifts are still being presented to this wonderful family but they still have to worry about the outcome of the quality of life for their beautiful little girl. We all worry about our children but this family will have some exceptional support for their exceptional needs. This Colorado community, along with the commitment of the Extreme Makeover:Home Edition team, has once again, given a hand up not a hand out.

Please follow the progress at the www.vitamincottage.com website on the Woodhouse family through our upcoming year together and be sure to watch the airing of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition**, with the Woodhouse Family of Colorado Springs January 13 of 2008 (tentative). Watch the website for details.

**Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

10/30/07 - Hunger Campaign

Here’s an easy way for our shoppers to help children in need.

From Nov. 1 to the end of 2007 your generosity, paired with the $dollar for $dollar match, up to $50,000, by Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers will enable Food Bank of the Rockies & the Childrens’ Nutrition Network to serve thousands of meals to our needy Colorado children.

Last year our customers’ matched donations raised over $45,000. Good nutrition allows our kids to grow, learn and succeed. Join us again this year, our kids need us.

05/16/07 - Colorado Mountain Jam Chosen Finalist In National Competition

An organic strawberry jam produced by Colorado Mountain Jam, Palisade, Colorado, has been selected as a Finalist in the initial round of judging of the 35th Annual Product Awards Competition sponsored by the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT).

Product finalists were chosen in 29 different categories. The strawberry jam was chosen a finalist in the “Outstanding USDA-Approved Organic Product” category. “We are delighted to be selected as a finalist in this national competition within the highly competitive food industry,” said Brian Olesen, who along with his wife Judith founded Colorado Mountain Jam five years ago.

04/27/07 - Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers sponsors 2007 Snowmass Wellness Experience

The Snowmass Wellness Experience, August 17-19, 2007, is an extraordinary event that aims to inspire, educate, and rejuvenate one’s inner self through world-renowned speakers, workshops, seminars, outdoor activities, yoga workshops, cooking demonstrations, and more.

Special discounted package rate for Vitamin Cottage customers or call 888–872–2357 and let the receptionist know that you are a Vitamin Cottage ‘Guest’.

Reserve Tickets

In its fourth year, Snowmass Wellness Experience has reached incredible heights and gained extensive credibility for its capacity to deliver information and experience in the worlds of nutrition, fitness, spirituality, and science of health and well-being. For more information, visit SnowmassWellness.com.

04/09/07 - Pet Food Concerns?

Vitamin Cottage's NaturalGrocers.com offers a wide variety of natural dog and cat food. Our pet food section includes information from our various suppliers related to the recall. Find your furry friend a natural food without wheat gluten.

08/10/06 - Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers Sponsors A Habitat Home In Colorado

“Giving back to our community has been part of the Vitamin Cottage mission since we were founded in 1955.” Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocer’s principle goal for charitable giving is to support organizations working toward a just and equitable society. We feel that Habitat for Humanity provides homes which give this long term help to families who need to get back on their feet, integrate into their new communities, and feel the joy of life once again. We also feel the environment in which you live can build resolve to create a better way of life.

To support this effort, throughout the entire month of January 2007, Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers will match their shoppers’ donations, at all Colorado stores, $Dollar-for-$Dollar, up to $50,000 toward a “Green Built” Habitat home in Colorado.

Not only are we collecting funds from the Colorado stores, with a $ for $ match, to build a Habitat home in Colorado but we are also accepting donations in the New Mexico stores which will be matched and donated to the current home projects in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe, as well, all under the $50,000 maximum match.

This is a great opportunity to help an amazing cause and have your donation matched and double the impact of your offering.

Please take this opportunity to join us in this supportive effort to build a home and give someone a hand up.

Join us and get involved! Would you like to work alongside Vitamin Cottage Owners and staff on this building site? If interested, call Nancy Flynn at 303-986-4600 x144

Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers is happy to also join the Grocery Coupon Habitat Effort to continue this ongoing support. Please contact your Habitat office for details. (303) 447-3787

06/28/06 - 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year

Vitamin Cottage Isely Family Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2006 Award Winner in Rocky Mountain Region Award Recognizes Entrepreneurial Excellence in Retail and Consumer Services Category DENVER, Colo – June 23, 2006 – Vitamin Cottage today announced that the Isely Family (Heather, Liz, Zephyr, and Kemper) received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2006 Award in the Retail and Consumer Services category in Rocky Mountain Region. According to Ernst & Young, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses.

The Isely Family was selected by an independent panel of judges and the award was presented at an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 20th anniversary gala event at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on June 22, 2006. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and continues to honor entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. “Ernst & Young is proud of its history in recognizing these outstanding leaders and their companies,” said Mark Siegel, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program director for the Rocky Mountain Region.

As a Rocky Mountain Region award winner, the Isely Family is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2006 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2006. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.

Vitamin Cottage is a Natural Food Grocery Store based in Lakewood, CO with over 22 locations in Colorado and New Mexico. The Vitamin Cottage sells the highest quality natural and organic products, believes in low-cost healthy nutrition, and offers free in-depth nutrition information to all customers. The people of Colorado have been visiting Vitamin Cottage stores since 1955.

About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards The Entrepreneur Of The Year ® awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

10/19/05 - October Fundraising for Vitamin Angel Alliance

Vitamin Angel Alliance has now collected over 12 million vitamin supplements in their effort to supply the nutritional component of the Katrina Relief effort. Working with a consortium of companies in the Natural Products and Pharmaceutical industries, Vitamin Angels is now shipping product into their Texas warehouse and distributing supplements throughout the Gulf States. The Vitamin Angel Alliance now have authorization from The Department of Homeland Security to ship to all states not just in this region. Further information can be obtained on their website at www.vitaminangel.org

Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers has generously offered to match these customer donations,” dollar for dollar”. This is very important to share with our customers, so they realize the importance of this organization and our support of the Vitamin Angel Alliance.

This fundraising effort will extend from October 1 thru October 31, 2005.

Thanks for your support and please call with any questions. Nancy Flynn

303-986-4600 X144

09/01/05 - Vitamin Cottage to Match $50k in Customer Donations to Katrina Relief Effort

Victims of Hurricane Katrina are attempting to recover from the devastation of this massive storm in our Mid-Atlantic States. The American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina’s destruction, providing emergency supplies to those hundreds of thousands of victims left homeless in these communities.

Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers would like to help support this emergency effort. In order to make it more convenient for our shoppers who also wish to donate to this relief effort, they may simply add a donation to their purchase. Not only will 100% of their donation go directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, but for the month of September, Vitamin Cottage will match their donations made at the register, $dollar for $dollar, up to $50,000. These funds can then be used to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

Inf Nancy Flynn NFlynn@vitamincottage.com 303 986 4600

04/20/05 - Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers Named Grocer of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2005 Contact: Kristin Young (303) 477-4220 Five companies receive top weight and measures compliance awards

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Billions of products, especially food, are conveniently weighed, packaged and labeled every day for consumers to purchase. Over time, inaccurate scales, packaging and pricing can lead to enormous errors, whether buying food for your family or a repair part for your vehicle. Each year, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Measurement Standards Section selects five groceries, packagers, retailers and wholesalers for superior performance on accurate scales, pricing and packaging.

The 2005 award recipients are Advance Auto Parts in Greeley, Colo.; Costco Wholesale in Westminster, Colo.; Mrs. Condie’s Salad Company in Denver; Trinidad Benham Corporation in Sterling, Colo.; and Vitamin Cottage Natural Foods Market, Inc., in Lakewood. The awards were presented earlier this month.

Vitamin Cottage Natural Foods Market, Inc., was recognized as the 2005 Grocer of the Year. Packages prepared at their bulk food warehouse in Lakewood, under the supervision of Michael Frailey, are distributed to stores throughout the state. Packages have been tested both at the point of pack and at Vitamin Cottage retail locations many times with consistently high rates of compliance. Vitamin Cottage uses a Julian pack date system, which designates numbers 0 through 365 to represent the exact day of the calendar year when products are packaged. This process enables stores to keep their products in the freshest state while meeting net weight declarations on packages.

"Cooperation between business and government promotes consumer protection and a fair and equitable marketplace," said Kristin Young, chief of the Measurement Standards Section at CDA. "Weights and measures is a central part of nearly all commercial transactions, including price, weight, volume and count declarations, the method of sale of commodities, and the devices used to determine them."

Advance Auto Parts in Greeley, Colo., received the 2005 Certificate of Excellence for pricing accuracy. Store Manager Carlos Alvarado and his employees have achieved exceptional price verification compliance during the last four years, with no overcharges found during inspections. Costco Wholesale store in Westminster was presented the 2005 Department Store of the Year Award. Store Manager Tom Zeien and his employees were recognized for an excellent record of price verification. In addition, the meat, deli and bakery departments continually met net weight declarations for packaging and labeling that is done onsite. This ensures that consumers are paying for only the product, not the additional weight of the packaging. Mrs.

Condie’s Salad Company in Denver, owned by Gary Cucarola, is the recipient of 2005 Retail Packager of the Year Award. The company primarily packages fresh produce and has a stellar record of net weight compliance found during packaging and labeling inspections both at this firm and at various retail locations. Trinidad Benham Corporation in Sterling, Colo., and Plant Manager John Kuntz, received the 2005 Wholesale Packager of the Year Award. During inspections, there was an exceptional rate of net weight compliance with the packaging and labeling. Trinidad Benham is a copacker that other firms rely for the preparation of their products for the marketplace. Selection criteria include accurate and properly used scales and weighing and measuring devices, accurate packaging, truth in labeling and accurate pricing as verified during inspections by Department of Agriculture officials during 2004.

In Colorado, the Measurement Standards Section of the Colorado Department of Agriculture oversees weights and measures requirements across the state. Inspectors routinely conduct unannounced visits to businesses to verify compliance with weights and measures requirements under the Colorado Measurement Standards Act. Commercial scales and other devices are inspected; packages are examined for net weight and truth in labeling compliance; and prices are checked for accuracy; all of which promote a fair marketplace, consumer protection and value comparison.