March 2021

If you've noticed the stellar produce displays when you first enter Valley Natural Foods, you're not alone! In fact, the displays created by our produce team, led by VNF's new produce manager, Blaine Reylek, have recently been promoted from 'stellar' to 'award-winning'! We are pleased to announce that Valley Natural Foods' produce department has won first place for Largest Display in the 2021 Equal Exchange Avocado Display Contest!   This was Blaine's first attempt at making a display of this scale but was excited at the opportunity to show off Equal Exchange and draw shoppers in to take advantage of the tremendous avocado sale (5/$5). In conjunction with VNF's marketing team, "We Will Guac You" signage impacted the overall draw towards the display. Contest rules stipulated that an entry was only valid if only Equal Exchange avocados were used. The competition was local and there were a

While Valley Natural Foods wouldn’t be what it is today without our shoppers and member-owners, it's the leadership of VNF managers that has made us who are today! We're thrilled to introduce our new produce manager, Blaine! This Q&A interview will give you a glimpse into who he is, why he loves VNF, and what he loves to do outside of the co-op. Please meet Blaine— our Propduce Manager!   How long have you been at Valley Natural Foods? Please include any VNF roles you held previously. I have worked at VNF for three and a half years at this moment. I have been a cashier, service desk worker, produce buyer, and interestingly, a vendor.   Why do you love being a part of a co-op? A co-op is a place that aligns with my values; therefore, I am granted a tremendous sense of pride for the