Earth Fare, a leading natural and organic grocery store chain in the Midwest and Southeast, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year in helping to provide a clean, healthy lifestyle to communities in the seven states served by their 16 locations. Based in North Carolina and led by its pioneering Boot List, Earth Fare attests it’s the only grocery market to develop a food philosophy that bans all artificial ingredients, trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and added hormones and antibiotics.  

“Healthy food and leading a healthy lifestyle are top of mind for many right now for several reasons,” says Laurie Aker, director of marketing. “First, there’s a growing awareness of how diet directly impacts overall well-being—like energy levels, mood and long-term health. With chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease still major concerns, people are turning to nutrition as a way to prevent or manage these issues.”

“Second, the conversation around health has shifted. It’s not just about avoiding sickness anymore; it’s about thriving. People want to feel good, perform better and age well.”

“Stress and fast-paced lifestyles are the norm, and processed, convenient foods often leave people feeling sluggish. Healthy eating—fueling up with real food—helps sustain energy and focus. Plus, with rising healthcare costs, preventing problems through diet makes sense economically, too.”

Local store locations: 8885 Christenbury Pkwy., Concord, NC; 2351 Len Patterson Rd., #103, Fort Mill, SC; and 725 Cherry Rd., Ste. 110, Rock Hill, SC. For more information, visit EarthFare.com.