Face-to-Face Meeting with Albany Legislators Sets Stage
for Further Discussions on Harmful Industry Bills

On February 6th, 2008, NPA East President Andy Fox and Executive Director Paul Kushner as well as representatives from our New York State lobbyists, Hill and Gosdeck, met with key legislators and/or their staffs in Albany. Among the full day's highlights was an in-depth meeting with Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, the co-sponsor of several bills which NPA East opposes due to the expected negative impact on retailers and manufacturers selling vitamins and supplements in New York State. One would create a mini-FDA in New York State, while another would mandate special labeling for dietary supplements sold only in New York State. While Assemblyman Ortiz is not inclined to withdraw the bills, we learned that his main concern rests with the FDA and its inability to enforce existing laws, and not solely with our industry. In fact, he recently played a major role in the development of a Naturopathic school in a major hospital in Puerto Rico. Assemblyman Ortiz also uses dietary supplements regularly and believes strongly in their efficacy. These conversations with Mr. Ortiz present an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with him never before available to our association and our industry. The fact that we were able to meet with him personally, is just one indication among many we experienced in Albany regarding the value of employing an organization with the lobbying experience of Hill and Gosdeck.

After our visit with Mr. Ortiz, we met with Senator Cesar Trunzo's Research Director Steve Guerin, who assured us that the Senator will continue to support our industry view on these bills and oppose any legislation that could eliminate jobs in New York State.

Our lobbyists also secured six additional meetings for us including a conversation with John Kraigenow, Senator Kenneth LaValle's Counsel. Senator LaValle is the sponsor of two companion bills in the NY Senate (to the Ortiz bills introduced in the Assembly). Although Senator LaValle believes strongly in the merit of the bills, Mr. Kraigenow remembered clearly the grassroots response via letters from constituents opposing the special labeling bill that his office had received which were still in his file. This was a tangible indication of the value of our grassroots efforts to affect legislation harmful to our industry.

We also had productive conversations with two other trade associations, the New York State Retail Council and the Food Industry Alliance of New York State. It was recognized that there is overlap among our memberships and common views on several issues. We plan to work with these organizations in the future on any legislation that affects our constituent groups.

Later in the day, we had a very substantive meeting with Monica Miller, a member of Assemblyman Richard Gottfried's Counsel on Dietary Supplements and a former lobbyist for DSHEA in the 1990s. As Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Assemblyman Gottfried has oversight over the "mini-FDA legislation" in his committee.

The next meeting was with Elisabeth Colombo, Assistant Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. The Majority Leader's office has significant influence on the calendar of the bills coming before the Senate if they have passed out of Committee.

And our final meeting of the day was with Michael DeMartino, Counsel to Senator Charles Fuschillo. Senator Fuschillo is the Chair of the Senate's Consumer Protection Committee which has oversight over the bills introduced by Senator LaValle in the Senate.

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Highlights From 2007

We are proud to report that NPA East continues to build on the solid foundation established at the beginning of this year. Thanks to the commitment and vision of your Board of Directors and the ever-increasing support of our membership, we are able to point to a number of major accomplishments that have occurred in 2007. Here are some of the highlights.

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Just in Time in Delaware: Last Minute Intervention Protects Local Retailers’ Rights

But New York was not the only state bent on creating harmful and completely unnecessary laws designed to cripple dietary supplement and natural products retailers. The Delaware state legislature attempted to fast-track a bill that, had it passed in its initial form, would it have made it illegal for dietary supplement and natural food retailers to discuss with consumers the benefits of the products they carry in their stores. That privilege would be restricted to dieticians and nutritionists licensed by the State of Delaware. Basically, the bill would have reduced every retailer in the State of Delaware to a clerk in his or her own store, unable to discuss even the most rudimentary benefits of their products.

Fortunately, due to a last-minute advocacy effort by NPA East, local retailers, and other concerned groups, language was added to the bill, literally at the 11th hour, exempting dietary supplement and natural food retailers from the bill.

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Membership: Strength in Numbers

Since early Spring 2007, NPA East has been conducting an ongoing membership drive throughout the 12 states that comprise the association and the District of Columbia. . We are happy to report that, as of the end of July, membership in NPA East has increased by an impressive 19%. This means more networking opportunities for existing members and increased support for our ongoing advocacy initiatives. Thanks to efforts like this one, your association gains strength as your advocate every day.

RENEW, RECRUIT, and PARTICIPATE!

NPA East continues to have a renewed excitement that certainly deserves your support from everyone involved to make it stronger and more resilient for years to come. For the benefit of our industry and your business, we ask that you commit your share of effort this year. The NPA East is as strong as the efforts of it members. Join our progress and experience our success.

So, how do you participate in all the activities that are shaping up this year? First, make sure that you renew your membership. Second, consider recruiting other industry members. Be proactive and ask your friends if they are members or if they are aware of the activities and advancements occurring within their regional NPA East chapter. Speak candidly about the need for a unified voice from our industry on issues of advocacy, or defense against media attacks. If you can help by recruiting more participants, our group will continue to become demonstrably more important and beneficial to everyone involved.

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NPA East President’s Letter: from the desk of Andy Fox

First, I would like to wish each and every one of our natural products retailers a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year from the NPA East Board of Directors.  This year will bring us several challenges at both the Federal and State levels and our Association is better positioned than ever to respond to those issues which threaten our livelihoods as natural products retailers.

The year’s agenda starts with Northeast Retailer Workshops sponsored by our partner, New Hope Natural Media, in three New England locations in early February. Take advantage of these inexpensive education days right in your backyard!  With the change in venue of Expo East to Boston in October, we want to help familiarize our region’s retailers with the many educational opportunities available to improve their daily business operations and grow their businesses.

Advocacy is needed more than ever!  The New York State legislation is sure to surface again in early 2008 and other states in our region are primed for new legislation based on the ongoing negative media our industry continues to receive related to our quality and lack of regulatory oversight.  Get involved in the NPA East Advocacy network and help us build a first-response team in your state to legislation which may cause your store potential hardships.

With our very busy schedules owning and operating retail health food stores, the thought of potential legislation having an impact on our business success is the farthest thing from our minds. Many retailers also believe that if a significant piece of Federal or State legislation were a threat to their business lives then others would be better positioned to respond in the industry’s interests so there is little need to get involved.  However, this thought process and retailer apathy is the potential foundation for the natural products industry’s demise.  Involvement in advocacy on both the Federal and State levels is paramount to the first line of defense for our industry!
The annual Natural Foods Day held in Washington, DC is the best possible way to overcome this retailer apathy and make a difference in the future of the industry. 

After attending this event for the last four years, I have been provided guidance by the Natural Products Association and learned the professional approach needed to lobby and educate our Congressional representatives on the key legislative issues affecting our industry and the livelihoods of those we employ.  The message we have been taught to carry to our U.S. Senators and House Representatives has a clear impact on reinforcing the benefits our industry brings to the health of Americans and helps overcome the negative media which provides a black-eye to our industry on a regular basis.  Your involvement is necessary to ensure our doors remain open in the future to continue providing the outstanding products and valuable services our consumers require to optimize their health every day. Come join me at Natural Foods Day in Washington, DC on April 8th, 2008 and help make a difference!!

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NNFA East Membership Approves Name Change: Announcing Natural Products Association East

In an overwhelmingly positive response, the membership of NNFA- East has approved the proposed name change of the organization.  The new name of our association is Natural Products Association East. We believe strongly that our new name far better captures the entire spectrum of participants in our industry: acknowledging that we are more than an association focused solely on dietary supplements. This allows potential members in the Body Care and non-perishable segments of our industry to participate more fully in an organization that reflects their activities as well.

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NPA East Committees Continue to Build Momentum for 2008 In the fall of 2006, President Andy Fox began the process of reinvigorating the Association’s seven standing committees. Excellent progress was made during the past year, including taking over responsibility for producing the NPA East Newsletter, maintaining the Association’s website, partnering with New Hope Media on Expo East, and beginning the process of developing an advocacy network. We are, even now, building on the framework we created last year. All of the Committees have met and developed comprehensive action plans for 2008. What follows is a summary of the activities of each Committee to date. We will provide you with ongoing updates throughout the year. Advocacy Karen Clarke, Chair The Committee is again engaging the firm of Hill & Gosdeck to lobby for the Association in New York State through 2008. Hill & Gosdeck played a major role this year in preventing a number of bills detrimental to our industry from getting out of committee and passed into law. They will continue to monitor and take action on all bills related to restricting our ability to sell dietary supplements and natural foods in our stores. Chair Karen Clarke has developed a comprehensive plan that covers legislative activities throughout our region. Committee members are monitoring all 12 states and Washington, D.C. and are providing Karen with a weekly report on all legislative activities. The goal of the Committee is to create a virtual early warning system that gives us time to react to any proposed legislation that appears to harm or restrict our ability to do business in our Association’s states. This is one of the most comprehensive advocacy efforts ever undertaken by NPA East. Executed successfully, this advocacy effort has the potential to provide our membership with an important benefit for monitoring local legislative activity and taking action before a bill that could do harm is signed into law. Convention Jay Jacobowitz, Chair We are pleased to report that the most recent Expo East Trade Show, co-sponsored by NPA East, was an unqualified success. It received high marks from retailers and suppliers, as well as setting a new record for attendance. The Convention Committee is working closely with New Hope Media to ensure that next year’s event will be equal to or surpass this most recent convention. In order to accommodate what we expect to be higher attendance, Expo East 2008 is being held at the Boston Convention & Exhibit Center. For registration information and more details, go to www.expoeast.com. or the www.npaeast.org. website. Education Mike Pelton, Chair NPA East Education Day will again coincide with our members’ yearly excursion to Capitol Hill to promote advocacy on issues related to the natural products industry. The next Education Day is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2008 in Washington, D.C. Employing the popular round table format, we have tentatively selected three topics: Effectively Marketing Your Store; Customer Service & Training; and Developing the Optimum Store Business Model. Additional information will be provided to members as it becomes available. Membership Dan Segal, Chair As a result of an extensive and ongoing marketing campaign in 2007, membership in NPA East increased by nearly 20%. The Committee is already developing a multi-faceted plan designed to maintain our current membership and reach out to potential members throughout 2008. This means more networking opportunities for existing members and increased support for our ongoing advocacy initiatives. Thanks to efforts like this one, your association gains strength as your advocate every day. Communications Paul Kushner, Chair The Communications Committee continues to take responsibility for producing the NPA-East Newsletter. This second issue completed by the Committee is in your hands. We hope you are as pleased with the results as we are. The Committee also will continue to maintain the NPA East website. Your input is always welcome. If you have questions, comments, or recommendations for either the Newsletter or the website, please contact Executive Director Paul Kushner at 856.985.5446, or e-mail Paul at pkushner@comcast.net. Strategic Planning Donnie Caffery, Chair A complete review and analysis of the NPA East Bylaws was undertaken in 2007. The revised Bylaws, approved by the NPA Board of Directors, were sent to and approved by the membership in April 2007. The Strategic Planning Committee will continue to review key sections of the Bylaws throughout the year to ensure they reflect the best interests of the membership. If you would like to receive a copy of the current Bylaws, please contact Executive Director, Paul Kushner at 856.985.5446 or e-mail Paul at Pkushner@comcast.net. Participation in any committee is open to all current NPA East members. Now is the time to get more actively involved, especially with the advocacy and political activism we intend to pursue in the coming year.   For more information go to www.npaeast.org and click on the Take Action button at the top of the home page.  Or call Paul Kushner at 856.985.5446.  Or e-mail Paul at pkushner@comcast.net.

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We Keep Your Doors Open. Our Mission: to preserve access to, and facilitate markets for natural products.  For more information and to join NPA East, please contact the executive director.