NOW Foods – the largest independent and family-owned manufacturer of natural products in the US health food store channel – has begun celebrating 50 years in business.
The company is planning a whole year of anniversary events and programmes, which will include giveaways, special events to thank retailers, and retailer in-store support materials. Philanthropic donations will be 50% bigger too, in its anniversary year.
“We feel such gratitude to all the individuals through the decades that have been part of the NOW story, from employees to retailers to consumers who have made NOW a key part of their healthy lifestyles,” said CEO Jim Emme. “The Richard family’s continued commitment to the NOW mission, and staunch support of the natural channel retailer, positions the company for another equally gratifying 50 years.”
NOW was founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard, with the goal of making healthy and quality products accessible and affordable for everyone. Started as a small, local operation in the Western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, today NOW products are distributed in more than 60 countries, offering more than 1,400 lines, from functional foods and supplements to sports nutrition and health and beauty products, and essential oils.
The company is still privately owned by the Richard family today. According to Dan Richard, Elwood’s son and Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, family is truly the litmus test for the company’s vast product portfolio. “We only make products we feel good about giving to our own families, so we know the products we bring to market meet our high standards.”