A Natural Grocers in Eugene, Oregon. The company has 107 stores in 18 states. The Corpus Christi store will be the 16th in Texas. Courtesy photo
A grocer that has been on the front lines of the eat-healthy movement since the mid-1950s is coming to Corpus Christi sometime this spring or summer. A Colorado-based company, Natural Grocers sells only organic produce and has been bag free since 2009 in all of its soon-to-be 107 stores in 18 states.
Construction is under way to turn the former Walgreen’s at 3750 S. Staples St. at the Doddridge St. intersection into the only Natural Grocers south of Austin. Founded in 1955 by Margaret and Philip Isley as a way to make healthy accessible and affordable, the company is still family owned and operated.
The company’s timeline tells the story of a public growing in its knowledge and desire for healthy food:
• 1989, decided to only sell organic produce, which no other large chain grocer does.
• 1990, all partially hydogenated oils were removed from the shelves after scientific evidence revealed it was harmful to human health.
• 1995, formalized a nutrition education program to help educate consumers about how to eat healthy.
• 2009, went bagless, estimating that to-date 100 million bags have been saved from landfills.
• 2014, rolled out pasture-based dairy standards and began removing products that come from confinement dairies.
It’s five founding principles outline the company’s mission and purpose:
1. Nutrition education in the communities it serves
2. Commitment to providing the highest quality products
3. Affordable every day prices
4. Service to the community
5. Service to its employees
Natural Grocers shops locally, donates to local charities and supports local food banks.
A banner on the building at Doddridge and Staples states that the company is now hiring. On the website at naturalgrocers.com, four local jobs are listed: vitamin manager, nutritional health coach, dairy/frozen manager and cashier/customer service/stocker. Applications can be made online.
