What Natural Grocers stores sell and where to find them

Natural Grocers is a supermarket chain that stocks organic produce, grass-fed meat, wild-caught seafood, and products without artificial additives. The company operates stores across the United States, primarily in the West and Midwest, though the chain has expanded to other regions. You can find their locations through their website store locator or by searching "Natural Grocers near me" in a map process.

The stores carry both their own brand and national brands of natural and organic products. Their private label items tend to cost less than comparable national brands. Natural Grocers also sells vitamins, supplements, body care products, and household items made without synthetic chemicals.

Unlike some specialty natural food stores, Natural Grocers operates as a conventional supermarket — you walk in, pick items from shelves, and check out at a register. There is no membership fee or subscription required to shop there, though the store does offer a loyalty program that tracks purchases and sends personalized discounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Natural Grocers stocks organic and non-GMO products across produce, meat, dairy, and packaged goods, with locations mainly in western and midwestern states.
  • You do not need a membership to shop, but signing up for their loyalty program gives you access to personalized discounts and sales.
  • Prices are typically higher than conventional supermarkets but often lower than specialty natural food stores, especially on their own-brand items.
  • The store labels products clearly by certification type — organic, non-GMO, grass-fed — so you can see what standards each item meets.

How to use the loyalty program and find deals

Natural Grocers offers a free loyalty program called the Vitamin Shoppe Rewards (formerly their own program). You sign up in-store or online with your email and phone number. Once enrolled, you receive personalized coupons and weekly deals sent to your email and available through their mobile app.

The program tracks your purchases and sends discounts on items you buy regularly. You also earn points on certain purchases that can be redeemed for discounts. The program is free — there is no annual fee or minimum spending requirement.

Beyond the loyalty program, Natural Grocers publishes a weekly ad with sales on specific items. These ads are available on their website and in-store. Prices on sale items can be significantly lower than regular price, so checking the weekly ad before you shop can help you plan meals around what is discounted that week.

Understanding product labels and certifications

Natural Grocers labels products with the certifications they carry. The most common label you will see is USDA Organic, which means the product was grown or raised without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or antibiotics, and was not genetically modified. Organic certification is verified by a third party and is legally defined.

Non-GMO Project Verified is a separate certification that means the product was not made from genetically modified organisms, but it does not necessarily mean the product is organic. A product can be non-GMO but still grown with conventional pesticides.

Grass-fed on meat means the animal ate grass for most of its life rather than grain in a feedlot. Wild-caught on seafood means the fish was caught in its natural habitat rather than farmed. These labels are not always federally regulated in the same way organic is, so the standards can vary by producer.

Natural Grocers also carries products labeled Fair Trade Certified, which means workers and farmers in the supply chain were paid fairly and worked in safe conditions. Reading these labels helps you understand what standards the product meets and whether it aligns with what you are looking for.

Price comparison: Natural Grocers versus other stores

Natural Grocers prices are generally higher than conventional supermarkets like Kroger or Safeway, but lower than specialty stores like Whole Foods. The difference is most noticeable on organic produce and meat. For example, organic bananas or grass-fed ground beef will cost more at Natural Grocers than at a conventional store, but less than at a high-end natural market.

Their own-brand products offer the biggest savings. Natural Grocers' house brand organic items are typically 20 to 40 percent cheaper than national organic brands sold in the same store. If you are willing to buy the store brand, your total bill will be lower than if you buy only national brands.

Conventional supermarkets now stock organic and natural products too, so you may find some items cheaper at your regular grocery store. It is worth comparing prices on items you buy regularly. However, Natural Grocers' selection of natural and organic products is usually wider than a conventional store's, so you may find items there that you cannot find elsewhere locally.

What to expect when you shop in-store

Natural Grocers stores are laid out like a standard supermarket with produce, meat, dairy, and packaged goods sections. The produce section emphasizes organic items, though some conventional produce is also available. The meat counter sells grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, and wild-caught seafood, with staff who can answer questions about sourcing.

The store is smaller than a typical supermarket — most locations are between 20,000 and 30,000 square feet, compared to 40,000 to 60,000 for a conventional grocery store. This means the selection is curated rather than exhaustive. You may not find every brand or product you are used to, but what is there has been chosen to meet their standards.

Checkout is standard — you can pay with cash, card, or digital payment. The store does not require you to bring reusable bags, though they are available for purchase if you want them. Bagging is done by hand or you can bag your own items.

Online ordering and delivery options

Natural Grocers does not operate its own delivery service, but you can order from their stores through third-party apps like Instacart. Instacart shows you items available at your nearest Natural Grocers location, lets you add them to a cart, and arranges for a shopper to pick and deliver your order. Delivery fees and timing vary depending on your location and the app's current demand.

Some Natural Grocers locations also offer curbside pickup through Instacart, where you order online and pick up your groceries at the store without going inside. This option is available at select locations, so check whether your store offers it before ordering.

Prices through Instacart are sometimes higher than in-store prices because Instacart adds a markup. If you use the service regularly, compare a few items' prices between the app and in-store to see whether the convenience is worth the extra cost for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy organic at Natural Grocers?

No. While Natural Grocers emphasizes organic and natural products, they also stock conventional items. You can buy organic produce and grass-fed meat while buying conventional pasta or canned goods. The store does not require you to buy only organic — you choose what you want to purchase.

Can I return items I bought at Natural Grocers?

Yes. Natural Grocers accepts returns of unopened items within a set timeframe, typically 30 days. Bring your receipt and the item to the customer service desk. Return policies can vary slightly by location, so ask at your store if you are unsure about a specific item.

Does Natural Grocers have a bulk section?

Most Natural Grocers locations have a bulk section where you can buy grains, nuts, dried fruit, and spices in the quantity you want. You bring your own container or use one provided by the store, weigh it, and pay by weight. This option is usually cheaper per pound than buying pre-packaged items.

What is the difference between Natural Grocers and Whole Foods?

Both sell organic and natural products, but Whole Foods is typically more expensive and has a larger selection of prepared foods and specialty items. Natural Grocers focuses on whole ingredients and has lower prices overall. Whole Foods requires a membership (Amazon Prime) for some discounts, while Natural Grocers does not.

Are Natural Grocers products cheaper than buying organic at Costco?

It depends on the item and the quantity. Costco often has lower per-unit prices on organic items because you buy in bulk, but you need a membership and may not use everything before it expires. Natural Grocers lets you buy single items at higher per-unit cost but with no membership fee. For staples you use regularly, Costco may be cheaper; for items you buy occasionally, Natural Grocers may be more practical.