Natural Markets Food Group Names Pat Brown CEO

Natural Markets Food Group (NMFG), whose retail and foodservice outlets include Mrs. Green's Natural Market, and Planet Organic Markets in Canada, has appointed Pat Brown CEO.

Brown began his grocery industry career at a store in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa. He officially joined Irvington, N.Y.-based NMFG in July 2014, having previously held the role of COO of New Seasons Market, a locally owned chain of natural food stores in Oregon. 

"Mrs. Green's core mission -- helping consumers and families understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and access natural, organic foods and products -- fits naturally with my own values and background of experience in the organic food sector," noted Brown. "Together, I believe we can help educate consumers about the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle, help families access natural food that's great for them and their kids -- and expand our business in the process."

As a member of the board of directors at Zenger Farm, a working urban farm in Portland, he played a key role in the development of a farmers' market program that emphasized educating city kids on where food comes from, and also helped get the markets sponsored by Zenger Farms to accept payment via SNAP funds, the first large-scale organization to do so.