(Blaine, Wash., U.S.A.) – David Neuman, VP of Sales and Marketing at Nature’s Path Foods, has been appointed as vice chair of the Whole Grains Council.  Nature’s Path Foods is also a founding member of the council that has grown to 78 members since its first meeting in July 2003.

Neuman, who becomes one of three vice chairs, brings more than 15 years of experience working in the natural and organic foods industry.  Prior to joining Nature’s Path nine years ago, he was the regional operations director for Fresh Fields Markets.  Neuman also worked as regional grocery director for Whole Foods Markets, Mid-Atlantic.

Cynthia Harriman, a spokesperson for the Whole Grains Council, said the organization welcomes Neuman’s expertise to the board of directors.

“We’re very pleased to have David on the board because Nature’s Path is such a recognized leader in the natural foods arena,” Harriman noted.  “David’s experience in natural foods, and especially his years of work inside the grocery industry, will provide valuable insight that will help the council work with supermarkets to make more whole grains available to consumers.”

The vice chairs’ primary responsibilities include providing leadership on specific projects and initiatives as well as offering input on all board decisions.  The mission of the Whole Grains Council is to promote the benefits of whole grains to and for the benefit of American consumers and families.  For more information, call Harriman at (617) 896-4820 or visit www.wholegrainscouncil.org.

In other news at Nature’s Path, industry veteran Michael Manning joins the company in the newly created position of Northeast Natural Foods Regional Sales Manager.  Manning will be responsible for calling on natural foods customers from Virginia to Maine and East of the Mississippi.  The position was created in order for Nature’s Path to continue to promote its brand in a highly competitive and aggressive market.

Most recently, Manning worked at Acosta Sales & Marketing Company, where he has been the Nature’s Path sales manager for more than a decade.  He has served in the natural foods industry for 16 years working as a store manager, sales representative and merchandising specialist. 

“His experience has given him an opportunity to see firsthand the dynamics of building and maintaining vital relationships with key decision makers,” said Chip Goble, National Sales Manager at Nature’s Path.

Manning, who has also worked at Whole Foods and Granite State Natural Foods, will utilize this background to help Nature’s Path grow in an industry that has evolved from an organic foods movement to the mainstream consumer market.  The company is a proven leader manufacturing innovative whole grain, USDA-certified organic foods for 20 years.  Nature’s Path Optimum™ Power Cereal is currently the No. 1 selling cereal in its category.* 

Nature’s Path manufactures a full lineup of products including cereals, breads, waffles, cereal bars, granola bars cookies and crackers.  The company also produces EnviroKidz and LifeStream branded products.  Nature’s Path and EnviroKidz branded products combined are the leading sellers of certified USDA organic breakfast cereal in U.S. natural foods supermarkets.

Founded in 1985, Nature’s Path Foods is headquartered in Richmond, B.C., Canada and employs 250 people at its four facilities in Canada and the U.S.  It produces breakfast foods and snacks that are sold in specialty food stores and national retailers in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia.  The company’s brands include: Nature’s Path, EnviroKidz™ and LifeStreamÒ.  For more information, visit www.naturespath.com.

*(SPINSscan data for 52 weeks ending March 19, 2005)

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For more information, please contact:
Kevin Greenwood, Marketing Manager Tel: 604 248 8856 kgreenwood@naturespath.com
Kim Beeler, Beeler Marketing  Tel: 503 591 7104 kim@beelermarketing.com