Natural foods market to open in Clive
The specialty grocery market in Des Moines is growing.
At least three natural and organic grocery companies have plans to open stores in the metro area this year.
The latest addition is Natural Grocers, a Denver-based company that plans to build a new store in the parking lot of the former Dahl's Foods location at 86th Street and Hickman Road in Clive.
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The chain boasts fresh produce that is certified organic by the USDA, along with other organic and natural products.
Two other natural and organic food stores, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Fresh Market, will offer similar merchandise. Fresh Thyme plans to move into the former OfficeMax space in Clocktower Square in West Des Moines. Fresh Market will open a store in the Mills Crossing retail and commercial development at 60th Street and Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines.
That means more competition for existing natural food stores including Campbell's Nutrition, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the growing natural foods offerings at Hy-Vee and other traditional grocery stores.
"We're going to keep doing what we're doing, but do it better," said Diane Lahodny, Campbell's Nutrition owner. "We will be more competitive in our pricing and encourage people to shop local."
Lahodny recently signed an agreement with the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association that offers group pricing from vendors, which will reduce her costs. She said she's been working on the deal for five years.
Another homegrown natural foods store, New City Market, will close at the end of April in part because of growing competition. Owner Jim Raife, who operated the 42-year-old market, said at one time there were few natural food stores in central Iowa. Now natural food markets are popping up all over, making it difficult to compete. He decided to retire instead.
The organic food market was expected to reach $35 billion in 2014, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.
"In the last 10 years we have seen the demand for better food choices increase," said Jeremy Jones, a spokesman for Natural Grocers. "People are more concerned about what they are putting in their bodies."
Natural Grocers was founded in 1955 in Golden, Colo., and has expanded to 95 stores in 16 states.
The stores sell organic produce, prepackaged meats, groceries, vitamins and supplements, body care products and other items at its easy-to-navigate stores, he said. There are no delis, bakeries or fresh meat counters, but the stores sell prepackaged grab-and-go salads and wraps.
Bagless checkout stations encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable grocery bags or buy them at the store, or use cardboard merchandise boxes available there.
Construction of the 15,000-square-foot store will be as green as possible, Jones said.
The stores have certified nutrition coaches who are available for consultations and will conduct nutrition classes and seminars.
Natural Grocers' pricing is very competitive, Jones said. "We offer everyday affordable prices because we want to offer affordable healthy food."
The family-run company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NGVC.