“…an organization of independent retailers, by independent retailers, and for independent retailers in the organic and natural foods industry…” – Jim Someck, Jimbo’s…Naturally! September 16, 2005
Who we are
The Independent Natural Food Retailers Association is a cooperative owned and governed by visionary retailers in the natural foods industry. We are bringing together retailers from all regions of the country to share resources, build market share, and strengthen our position in the industry.
What we do
- Build a community of retailers to share knowledge, including operational solutions and solid advise that there is simply no comparison to.
- Provide a conduit and structure for strong industry partnerships that leverage combined purchasing power.
- Carry a collective voice to influence the industry at all levels.
- Offer brands exclusive to independent natural food retailers.
…and why?
Because it’s time, the industry is changing rapidly, market forces are becoming more challenging and we must have the ability to navigate change proactively and reactively.
Everyone’s success is equally important when one independent fails to succeed, then all independents are weakened.
The co-op creates a hub of connectivity of peers that provides relief from the isolation of going it alone.
By the very nature of the cooperative process and by creating a community of peers independent retailers are strengthened.
Posted in: News on May 4, 02:46 PM
INFRA (pronounced in-fra) is a network of independent natural food retailers of all sizes coming together for the purpose of strengthening our position in the natural products industry. INFRA builds strategic alignment among its members to provide peer support for retailers, identify and implement best practices, and facilitate collaboration.
JOB TITLE: Administrative Assistant
LOCATION: Twin Cities Metro
SALARY: $12-15
TYPE: Part Time / 30 hours
DEADLINE: Open Until Filled
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Summary: The Administrative Assistant’s primary function will be to provide general operations support.
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Posted in: News on Mar 24, 12:20 PM
INFRA was rewarded with recognition and interest at expo west by current members, retailers, vendors, and the industry.
The association was able to have a bigger impact this year with all INFRA staff attending the Expo West. The impact of increased INFRA staffing from a single employee at the beginning of 2008 to the current 3.5 FTE was evident in the amount of activities the association was able to accomplish prior to, and at, Expo West.
On Thursday, March 5th INFRA held the annual membership meeting. A record number of members and staff were in attendance. At the meeting Corinne spoke on the state of natural products in the current economy. Alex Beamer, president of the board of directors, spoke on the position of the association. Members elected
Shirley Ayers, Terry Brett, Zedrick Clark, Scott Roseman, and Laughing Water to the INFRA Board. Thank you for serving and congratulations to these members.
Friday March 6th was a busy day at Expo for INFRA. Lyndsay Griffith held a buyers meeting in the afternoon at which David Butterfield, an employee of Organic Valley, discussed his experience with the CAP program as well vendor interests and expectations of INFRA’s SPC program. Additionally, INFRA and the Non-GMO project joined together to host an informational reception for independent retailers. Over 35 retailers showed up for the reception and enjoyed presentations on the benefits of INFRA membership and the importance of the Non-GMO project. 2009 already shows a significant spike in membership enrollment and the positive interest displayed by retailers at Expo West indicates continued growth in membership throughout the year.
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Posted in: News on Feb 3, 11:35 AM
Retailer Info Session
INFRA will be holding a joint info session with the Non-GMO project for independent retailers on Friday, March 6th from 6-7:30pm in room 213B. The time will be used to inform retailers about INFRA and give them an understanding of what the association can do for them. All independent retailers are welcome! Please join us and bring a friend.
Buyers Meeting
Open to INFRA members only.
The association will also be holding a buyers meeting for member store owners and buyers to discuss the Shared Promotional Calendar program. This meeting will be held Friday, March 6th from 4-5:30pm.
Annual Meeting
Open to INFRA members only.
The board of directors has chosen to hold the INFRA 2009 Annual Meeting on Thursday March 5th, 2009 in Anaheim, California.
Come meet the INFRA staff and other members.
The meeting specific place, time and agenda will be announced soon. Currently we are planning for between 6:30 and 7:30 Thursday evening, dinner for two people from your organization will be included. We really would like to have both our key contacts (owners, managers etc. and merchandiser / buyer) in attendance. This is a great chance to mingle and network with other INFRA members and have an excellent meal.
We will incorporate the necessary annual meeting as part of the dinner – between entree’s and desert. The agenda will include board of directors elections and brief annual reports.
Additionally we will have some recognitions and opportunity to welcome our newest members. So please plan to join us for a delightful evening.
If you would like to bring more then two people from your organization just let us know we can include them, however we will need to ask you to cover the cost of guests beyond two.
It is exciting to have ourselves in a place that we can do this, please let Corinne know how many and who from your organization will be joining us.
On Friday March 6th INFRA will hold a merchandiser / buyers meeting in room #213B – watch for details.
The board of INFRA approved four new members this month already, I think 2009 is going to be an exciting year of forward movement for INFRA!
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Posted in: INFRA on Jul 3, 10:05 AM
INFRA members held their second annual East Regional Meeting from June 25th to June 27th. Attendees felt as though a substantial and constructive amount of time was spent on both INFRA issues and individual retailers. The farm and excursions offered rewarding informal peer interaction and social time. Over all, according to the attendees, the meeting was successful and productive.
The event takes place at the same time every year. This year the meeting was held in Ghent, New York and hosted by Hawthorn Valley Farm Store (HVFS), School and Farm. During our time together HVFS served fresh meals right off the farm, provided tours of the farm and educated us all on the interconnection between the biodynamic farm, dairy, bakery and the store.
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Posted in: Announcements on Feb 5, 05:13 PM
BOOTH NUMBER 5022 IN HALL E
GENERAL INFORMATION SESSION ON SATURDAY AT 4:00 PM ROOM 204A
Anaheim CA. Expo West March 14-16, 2007
Join the INFRA retail members and staff at a general information session on Saturday March 15th in the convention center room 204A at 4:00 PM.
Hear about the the “Power in Members” that INFRA retailers are experiencing. Meet fellow retailers who are improving their position in the industry through collaboration and participation in the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association.
Learn how you too can participate and join your peers to gain the advantages of shared operational support, purchasing and marketing activities.
Want to learn more before the general information session on Saturday come to our table – 5022 in Hall E.
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Posted in: INFRA on Feb 5, 05:06 PM
Welcome New INFRA Members
In keeping with our vision of building a strong network of independent natural food retailers coming together for a stronger position in the market place, INFRA continues to grow. Since our last newsletter in December of last year, INFRA has added 5 new members; Choices Natural Market, Dorothy Lane Market, Good Harvest Market, Greenfresh Market and Nature’s Food Patch.
We are encouraged and empowered by our growing impact as a community and our “Power in Members”. Here is a chance to become familiar with our newest Members.
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For more news check out the archive
Member Voices
“I joined INFRA because it makes sense to join. Harvest Market is a 10 year old store about to move into a new 6,000 square foot space—not huge, but bigger than small. I acquire a lot more responsibility with this move--more debt, more staff, more customers and more visibility in the community. I'm obligated to do a better job, for my stakeholders and for my family and me. I can't continue to pretend that I can always handle everything on my own without burning out. I have a business coach now, and an advisory board of other business owners. It makes sense to be part of a group of the best independent natural foods stores in the country as well. “
Bob Kleszics. Harvest Market
“This group is exactly what we need. Working together, sharing ideas, successes, and failures is our key to success. We know that independents can do more than just survive, we can thrive and this is best done together.”
Dan Chapman, Sunrise Health Foods