PHOENIX—The winner of the Natural Products Marketplace’s $1,500 retail giveaway is donating the prize money to Vitamin Angels. In lieu of keeping the money, Trulaine Woken, owner, Cones Health Foods, Bakersfield, CA, asked Virgo Publishing, the publisher of Natural Products Marketplace, to donate the money directly to the nonprofit organization focused on bringing essential nutrition to children around the world through vitamin supplementation.

Natural Products Marketplace celebrated its 15th anniversary in January 2010 by giving away $1,500 to one lucky retailer. As part of this special promo, owners, managers and employees at natural product retail stores entered to win the cash prize by entering online. The winner was randomly selected on Jan. 4, 2010.

“I have the excitement of winning and the opportunity to pay it forward to an organization that is near and dear to our industry and my heart,” Woken said. “It seems like the perfect way to celebrate Natural Products Marketplace’s anniversary and all they do for the industry as well. That $1,500 probably won’t make a big difference in my life, and it could make a huge difference in other people’s lives. I feel so blessed to have won and to be able to give it back.”

Howard B. Schiffer, founder and president, Vitamin Angels, said this donation shows just how amazing people in the natural products industry are. “I've never met Trulaine Woken or been to Cones Health Foods in Bakersfield, and I can only imagine that a $1,500 prize would have been a huge help for a small store,” he said. “The fact that Trulaine and everyone at Cones Health Foods decided to donate their prize to the children Vitamin Angels is reaching is such a testimonial to who they are and a true honor for everyone at Vitamin Angels. Cones' donation will allow Vitamin Angels to reach 6,000 children this year in our own country and around the world. The vitamin we are providing will make a tremendous difference in these children's lives and give them a chance at a healthy future. Vitamin Angels will be reaching 20 million children this year. Our work would not be possible without people like Trulaine and Cones Health Foods and for this we are forever grateful."

Jodi Rich, publisher, Natural Products Marketplace, commented, “The Natural Products Marketplace team was extremely touched by the donation made by our winner, Trulaine Woken, to Vitamin Angels. It's a fantastic gesture of generosity in a challenging economic environment. This is a great reflection of the spirit of giving that defines our industry.”

Also, in celebration of Natural Products Marketplace’s 15th anniversary, Virgo Publishing will be sharing cake at Expo West. Anyone who wishes to celebrate this milestone can stop by booth #1245 on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 4 p.m. for a piece of cake.