New Leaf to Roots
by Marcey Klein BS, CNC
We’re so excited here at New Leaf for the changes that are happening as we become an independent retailer. Our store and the Felton store owned by Bob Locatelli are becoming independent of the New Leaf franchise. Our new name, as many of you have seen, is Wild Roots! It’s so exciting to get back to our roots as an organic retailer, having a 100% organic produce section, and not carrying conventional products. That means a lot to me, I would not want to work at a place that carries products with questionable ingredients, GMOs, and pesticides that can harm the body.
New Seasons, the Oregon franchise that bought the New Leaf name and six of our stores five years ago has been slowly adding more conventional products to the other stores and we got concerned. That’s why Bob, Kristi (Bob’s daughter and Chief Operator) and Nellie (general manager) decided over a year and half ago that it was time to let New Leaf go and become their own store. They have been making preparations for some time now, and boy there was a lot to do to get ready, but now the time has finally arrived, and it is very exciting for us, our community, and those who have put their sweat equity into it.
I have personally been working at New Leaf since 2000! How is that possible you may ask. Well, it is a very good fit for me. I get to use my Nutrition education working in the Vitamin Department, and I get to serve people as a cashier. I think this job brings out the best in me; it has helped me to work well with the public, I get to learn the latest on nutrition and supplements, and I get to assist people on their health quests.
Now let’s get back to the importance of buying local and organic. Staying local keeps the community healthy and running by supporting the local workers, their families, and keeping the dollar in our community. And buying organic is an important investment to your health. Hormones, artificial preservatives, pesticides, GMOs, rancid and hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and whatever else is added to cheap, processed, low quality foods that are just there to make a shareholder rich and us sick should not be supported by the consumer. Remember, eating good whole foods equals a good healthy body.
