Retailers visit BC’s Okanagan Valley for the “Factors Farm Experience”
Over the years, many natural retailers have had the chance to experience the Natural Factors Farm and plant tour in BC’s Okanagan Valley.
In August, six more retailers joined the list of attendees. This included Shyrelle Bateman and Breanna Grassi of Alberta’s Okotoks Natural Foods—a winner of the Natural Factors Retailer Earth Day Display Contest. The other four retailers were from Nutters: Jon Bowley from the Jasper, Alberta store; Julie Lacroix from Nutters Melfort, Saskatchewan; and Volita Johnson and Jennifer Bright of Nutters Leduc, Alberta.
Joanne Aldridge, national key accounts manager for Natural Factors, says the tours of Factors Farms and the Kelowna soft gel plant are a special way for retailers to get out and see firsthand where the plants are grown and processed. “Also, it lets the retailers experience the Factors Farms with over 1,000 acres of certified organic farmland nestled there in the Okanagan Valley that are in full bloom in August!”
Shyrelle said seeing the farm and factory firsthand was an incredible experience. “I had always known Natural Factors to be a reputable company but was sadly somewhat apathetic, being unaware of how great they truly are. The attention to detail and quality testing, right from planting until shipping the bottled product, really sets a high bar for quality supplements. On top of the quality, which I now share daily with customers, I was blown away by the general values and morals behind this family-run Canadian company. The way they truly care for their staff, and their customers is highly respectable. It's honestly community first, far before sales. Despite their successful business, they still maintain being models of kindness and humility.”
Breanna said, “it’s one thing to learn about supplements through online webinars but to see them getting made firsthand was a very unique experience. The trip to the farm was probably my favourite part though. I loved to see and hear about all of the organic produce and herbs that they grow. It was such a beautiful location. The incredible lunch that was made for us by [Natural Factors founder and owner] Roland [Gahler] was a really special treat. He’s an incredible person with a beautiful message. Our trip to Kelowna was definitely a highlight of my summer. It was an incredible experience that I am very grateful for. So, thank you, Natural Factors.”