Carlyn Anderson of Carlson Labs and Emil Mahler of Southtown Health Foods.

derma e of Simi Valley, CA, opened a new regional office in Dubai, U.A.E. in response to growing demand in that region.

Carlson Laboratories of Arlington Heights, IL, continued the celebration of its 50th anniversary by honoring Chicago’s Southtown Health Foods as its longest customer. Carilyn Anderson, president of Carlson Labs, gave the store’s current owners Emil and Mary Ann Mahler a plaque in recognition of their 50 years of continued support. “As we look back at 50 years, we’d like to thank all of our customers for their continued support and dedication to Carlson products,” says Anderson. “Much has changed in the last 50 years, but our mission remains the same: to provide our customers with the highest quality, science-based nutritional supplements.”

MegaFood of Derry, NH, announced that Lundberg Family Farms of Richvale, CA, will provide organic brown rice for MegaFood, FoodState Vitamin E and Biotin to be used in supplements like Skin, Nails & Hair and Baby & Me.

Natural Grocers, based in Lakewood, CO, celebrated its 60th anniversary on August 13 with an Ice Cream Social involving 100 simultaneous ice cream parties taking place in all 100 stores.

St. Petersburg, FL-based Genius Central Systems, Inc. has partnered up with SavingStar (a paperless grocery rewards platform) to expand its natural product CPGs arm. GeniusCentral will partner with SavingStar to sell digital promotions redeemable through SavingStar’s network of 62,000 retail stores, while expanding the CPGs consumer media reach by millions. Shoppers using the SavingStar app or website can use digital coupons at numerous retailers through the stores' loyalty programs.

NOW Foods of Bloomingdale, IL, held its 17th Retailer Conference, drawing over 150 retailers for education, tours, networking and training. Jeff Wright, owner of Wright’s Nutrients in Florida and former NPA president, gave the keynote address with tips for success.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, September 2015(online 8/14/2015)