LAKEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural
Grocers is not only joining grocery retailers around the country in
celebration of the Food Industry Association's newly declared
"Supermarket Employee Day" on February 22,
2021, it has been celebrating Crew throughout the entire
month of February, with its 3rd annual Crew Appreciation
Month. Natural Grocers' commitment to its good4u℠ Crew, one
of its founding principles, has been a guiding light for the
company since 1955. The company is proud to join the food industry
in honoring employees for their service as the backbone of their
communities—through this difficult year and beyond.
All February long, the organic and natural grocery retailer has
been celebrating Crew Appreciation Month, honoring its store,
distribution, and corporate teams for their dedication, hard work,
and support of their communities. Throughout the month, Crew have
been receiving weekly gratitude gifts from the company including
special edition "Rooted in Health" hooded sweatshirts, a gift bag
full of high-quality natural and organic food, drinks, and
household essentials, organic herb seed packets, choice of their
favorite drink and organic produce item, and ladybug tenure pins in
appreciation of Crew's milestones with the company.
In recognition of the Crew's extraordinary efforts and
commitment to keeping their communities Rooted in Health, Natural
Grocers instituted a hero pay and bonus program which began in
March 2020 and continues into 2021.
Earlier this month, Natural Grocers announced that the incremental
cost of these pay enhancements was approximately $14 million as of December
31, 2020, which includes a permanent $1 per hour pay increase for hourly Crew and
ongoing periodic discretionary bonuses during the COVID-19
pandemic.
As the backbone of an essential business, Natural Grocers'
good4u Crew members show up every day to welcome their communities,
ensure shelves are stocked, provide world-class customer service
and free Nutrition Education, and offer the best in nutritious
foods, health-supportive supplements, household essentials, and
body care products. The Crew is not only integral in helping
communities keep their shelves stocked, but they are critical
drivers for Natural Grocers donations to local food banks. In 2020,
the good4u Crew helped raise over $750,000 for local food banks in the markets it
serves, helping those dealing with food insecurities gain access to
nutritious groceries.
"Throughout a year that has been like no other we've ever
experienced, grocery retailers and millions of their associates
have remained a direct lifeline for communities around the
country," remarked Kemper Isely,
Natural Grocers Co-President. "Even in the hardest days of the
COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed strength, resiliency, and
compassion every day from our Crew towards their fellow community
members. We are proud to join with the food industry in recognizing
and celebrating our heroes in aprons and, for now, face masks."
About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
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 products sold by Natural
Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain
artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, 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, safe and convenient retail
environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based
nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health
and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 160 stores
in 20 states.
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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.