NOW Foods

In the 1960s, entrepreneur Elwood Richard started a small chain of health food stores in the Chicago area called Health House. A degreed physical chemist, Elwood's collegiate research had focused on enhancing physical performance through the use of healthy foods and nutritional supplements. The knowledge he acquired during this time left him a firm believer in the benefits of natural products for health and quality of life, and laid the early foundation for his life-long love of nutrition and health foods. After losing customers to a local supermarket due to the high cost of his products, Elwood realized that in order for his health food stores to survive and thrive they needed to offer affordable natural products. Healthy foods wouldn't last if no one could afford them. So he started his own natural products manufacturing company to supply his stores, which afforded him complete control over product cost and quality. So in 1968, NOW® Foods was born. Today, 55 years later, NOW is still owned by the Richard family and has grown to become one of the natural product industry's most recognizable brands, providing one of the most extensive lines of natural products available, including supplements, essential oils, sports nutrition, wholesome foods and sweeteners, personal care, and pet supplements. NOW conducts more than 15,000 tests per month in its in-house labs on raw ingredients and finished products, ensuring that what's on the label is in the bottle. NOW has always remained true to Elwood's original vision – to meet consumer need for health foods by offering affordable, high quality natural products.