NOW Foods

Company Description

NOW Foods’ values and mission are very much aligned with those of its main customers, the independent health food retailer. Although the company, founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard, has grown to become one of the industry’s largest manufacturers, NOW is still owned and run by the Richard family. They ensure the company fulfills its original mission: to provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.

Elwood Richard’s core belief that high-quality health products should not be a luxury available only to the wealthy still shapes the company’s policies today. People often ask how NOW can produce quality products at such reasonable prices, and the answer is surprisingly simple: commitment. GMP certified since 2000, every phase of the manufacturing process, from the purchase and delivery of raw materials, to the packaging and shipping of products, follows strict procedures overseen by an educated, experienced team of Quality Control & Quality Assurance experts. NOW’s modern, 250,000-sq ft facility, one of the industry’s most admired, houses six fully-functional laboratories running the most current and advanced testing equipment. Thorough testing and meticulous quality assurance ensures that NOW products are screened for contaminants, labeled accurately and of the highest possible quality. The company also has a West Coast Manufacturing and Distribution facility located in Sparks, Nevada to better serve West Coast customers.

NOW’s dedication to the customers who have made their success possible is illustrated by the company’s stellar customer service and enduring commitment to the health food channel.

Key Market Areas

NOW Foods’ main customer is, and always has been, the independent health food retailer. According to SPINS data, NOW is the #1 selling vitamin and supplement brand in the health food channel. The company’s product categories include dietary supplements, herbs, personal care, natural foods and beverages, and an array of natural sweeteners including BetterStevia™, a proprietary whole leaf stevia extract in powders and liquids.

Major Products/Service Offerings

With over 1,500 products in its catalog including dietary supplements, personal care products, sports nutrition products, and functional foods such as nuts and grains, NOW remains an anchor of the health food channel. Product categories include:

Vitamin & Minerals, Amino Acids and Antioxidants
Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Immune, Digestive Support Supplements
Super Green Foods, Fiber and Herbs
Joint, Mobility and Structural Support
Men’s and Women’s Specialty Supplements
Sports Nutrition, Weight Management and Protein
Personal Care, Essential Oils and Anti-Aging
Mental Fitness and Neural Support
Omega-3, Nutritional Oils and EFAs
Natural Foods, Sweeteners, Tea

NOW Food is proud that its main customer is the independent health food retailer, and is absolutely dedicated to the success and growth of natural product stores. The company has tailored many aspects of its business model to serve the needs of those retailers, providing them with a diverse selection of sales tools, including retail and consumer catalogs, banners and displays, window signs, shelf talkers and informative literature for retailers and consumers. NOW offers free telephone and web-based seminars, facility tours, an annual open house and many free e-newsletters. One of NOW’s greatest educational tools is a monthly webinar: Nutrition for Optimal Wellness. The third Monday of each month, NOW University and internationally acclaimed author and educator Marcia Zimmerman host a 45-minute live presentation designed to teach about health through nutrition and supplementation. Visit Now-University.com to sign up. NOW is also one of the very few natural supplement companies to offer free technical support from certified nutritionists.

What’s New?

NOW Foods, Inc. demonstrated a continued refocus on the company’s variety of high-quality foods with the launch of completely redesigned packaging for the company’s natural foods line: NOW® Real Food.

With last year’s launch of NOW^® Real Tea™ complete, the offerings in the food line have been rebranded and repackaged to reflect their quality and freshness, and to appeal to the healthy lifestyle shopper. Enticing new products have been introduced as well. The NOW^® Real Food brand, which is exclusive to the natural channel, focuses on healthier, functional, natural and organic offerings including nuts, seeds, flours, sweeteners, mixes, oils and snacks. A tag line on the packaging reflects the company’s commitment to its products: “Always Natural. Always Real.”