Mother Earth’s Storehouse 300 Kings Mall Court Kingston, NY 12401 845-336-5541 www.motherearthstorehouse.com Since 1978 Mother Earth’s Storehouse has been providing healthy food options to the people of the Hudson Valley. Now with three convenient locations they are considered the Hudson Valley’s Premiere Organic and All Natural Foods Grocer.

Well ahead of the “Organic” food trend Although it may seem like a recent trend, the organic and sustainable “Buy Local” movement has been around for many decades. In 1979, when the Kingston New York Storehouse opened, Mother Earth’s was an unlikely competitor to larger food chains. They had their own niche and it was selling locally produced food and supplements. Few if any of the corporate stores gave serious consideration to health-conscious customers. It was a fringe of the market that they were willing to ignore. Even though local farms were more plentiful back then, few farmers realized the growing popularity of “All-Natural” and “Organic” foods. Now days, just about every customer-conscious food market has a shelf or section dedicated to healthy-related products. Though modest in size, compared to the “big-box” supermarkets, Mother Earth’s Storehouse has [always] been focused on wholesome, nutritious foods and supplements that are not ladened with artificial ingredients. Like the song proclaims, “We were country when it wasn’t cool”. Well, they were all-natural when it wasn’t cool.

. On the above photo from left to right; Kevin Schneider (Mother Earth's) ,Toni Gutter (Food Bank) and Chris Schneider (Mother Earth’s)

Buying Local is More Than a Movement Buying local, is a sure way to keep money in your local economy. In the case of Mother Earth’s, their continued support helps the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in its mission to provide food to over 370 feeding programs. The Food Bank distributes food to people in need through food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, day care centers, senior programs, and rehabilitation programs in six counties (Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan, Putnam and Rockland) in the Hudson Valley. Brothers Chris and Kevin Schneider recognized the reality of hunger in the Hudson Valley and knew that their customers would be willing to help. In 2009 they created a “Rewards Card.” The card offers discount incentives to its users and a 1% donation through the “Rewards” program. When $250.00 of purchases is reached, 1% gets set aside for the annual Food Bank donation. The 2012 Spring donation of $81,000 is the year-end 2011“Rewards” program amount. Making this year the largest donation Mother Earth’s Storehouse has given to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. It’s a proud reminder that “Buying Local” is smart.

Never Losing Sight of The Big Picture

The two brothers from Kingston believe that philanthropy makes good business sense,

especially in the current economic climate, "Our customers believe in being socially responsible.

Their spirit of generosity has made this program a success. They [customers] feel good knowing

that a percentage of their grocery purchase will be donated to local charity." After 30 years in

business, Mother Earth's Storehouse has grown to three stores (Poughkeepsie, Kingston and

Saugerties) though they haven't lost sight of the big picture; providing healthy food for their

customers and helping feed Hudson Valley's Hungry.

For more information Mother Earth Storehouse and Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, please visit www.motherearthstorehouse.com or www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org. Donation event inquiries or ways that you too can help, call Toni at (845 )534-5344