Lara Jackle Dickinson is the executive director and co-founder of One Step Closer (OSC).
Industry Insights
Female leaders drive sustainable change, transform global food systemsFemale leaders drive sustainable change, transform global food systems
byLara Dickinson
Feb 19, 2025
4 Min Read
Three brands from the gallery: Bollygood Sparkling Lemonade, Seven Sundays Little Crispies and O Positive Health FLO Superfood Powder.
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  • Melaina Juntti
    • Melaina Juntti

    Melaina Juntti

    Freelance writer

    Melaina Juntti is a longtime freelance journalist, copy editor and marketing professional. With nearly two decades of experience in the natural products industry, she is a frequent contributor to Nutrition Business Journal, Natural Foods Merchandiser and NewHope.com. Melaina is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and is passionate about hiking, camping, fishing and live music. 

    Latest from Melaina Juntti

    Roy Upton holds a branch of Saw Palmetto in his hand as he and Michael McGuffin pose for a photograph.
    Industry News
    Herbal products community remembers Michael McGuffinRemembering Michael McGuffin
    byMelaina Juntti
    Feb 19, 2025
    7 Min Read
    AHPA President Michael McGuffin and retired Sen. Tom Harkin on stage at Natural Products Expo West in 2016.
    Industry Insights
    Michael McGuffin reflects on his career in herbal products industryAHPA's McGuffin looks back on his 'calling'
    byMelaina Juntti
    Feb 18, 2025
    5 Min Read

    All from Melaina Juntti

    photo of hydrolyzed collagen products from Vital Proteins, Nature's Nutrition, Youtheory, Puritan's Pride and Orgain
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: Do collagen supplements count toward my daily protein intake?
    Secret Shopper: Do collagen supplements count?
    Feb 17, 2025
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    3 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Wild Onion Market's windows are emblazoned with signs inviting nearby residents to become owners. One handwritten sign updates the number of owners.
    Retailers
    Checkout: Wild Onion Market opens after a 12-year grassroots effort
    Checkout: Wild Onion Market opens in Chicago
    Feb 11, 2025
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    7 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Nourish + Bloom's srong is painted white and has large windows. Trees are planted along the sidewalk in front of the store.
    Retailers
    Checkout: Nourish + Bloom expands fresh, affordable options with AI technology
    Checkout: AI opens Nourish + Bloom to an entire community
    Jan 17, 2025
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    15 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    A variety of prepared salads, side dishes, fish and meats is showcased on white platters in a retail food service display.
    Retailers
    FMI’s top strategies to spark retail food service growth
    Grow retail food service with FMI data
    Dec 13, 2024
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    7 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Several bottles of tropical fruit collagen gummies and turmeric and ginger gummies are arranged on a field of blue.
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: Are gummy supplements as effective as pill-form supplements?
    Secret Shopper: How do gummies compare to pills?
    Dec 12, 2024
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    3 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    A variety of private label products from various natural and conventional retailers are displayed.
    Retailers
    8 methods natural products retailers can use to optimize private label sales
    8 ways to increase store brand sales in grocery
    Dec 10, 2024
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    7 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    The Country Club Hills, Illinois, location of Sunrise Health Foods, is a boxey store
    Retailers
    Checkout: Sunrise Health Foods brightens Chicago’s South Side with organic foods
    Checkout: Sunrise Health Foods shines bright with organic
    Dec 3, 2024
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    10 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Family members gather around the dinner table to celebrate a winter holiday.
    Retailers
    Food, family meals are holiday shoppers’ top priorities, FMI study finds
    Holiday shoppers won’t change plans based on food costs
    Nov 22, 2024
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    6 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    A drawing of a female body builder in a squat is lifting a barbell with bottles of whey and plant-based protein powder on each end.
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: How does plant-based protein compare to whey for muscle building?
    Secret Shopper: Plant-based or whey protein for muscles?
    Nov 14, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Secret Shopper: Are prebiotic sodas healthy?
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: Do prebiotic sodas actually have health benefits?
    Secret Shopper: Are prebiotic sodas healthy?
    Oct 31, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Rising GLP-1 use creates opportunity for natural dietary supplement retailers
    Retailers
    Rising GLP-1 use creates opportunity for natural dietary supplement retailers
    How natural retailers can support, educate Ozempic users
    Oct 1, 2024
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    13 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Secret Shopper: What’s the difference between omega-3s, -6s and -9s?
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: What’s the difference between omega-3s, -6s and -9s?
    What to know about 3 different omegas
    Sep 27, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    A man looks at a jar of spread while shopping in a retail grocery.
    Brands
    How DTC brands can best approach retailers and win on-shelf
    Tips for DTC brands to succeed on shelf
    Sep 25, 2024
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    8 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Rodale offers two organic farmer training programs, one of which is geared toward military veterans.
    Industry News
    Natural Grocers, Rodale Institute support the future of regenerative organic agriculture
    Growing organic agriculture's future through training
    Sep 23, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    St. Vrain Market is known for its high-quality deli meats, in-house bakery and carefully sourced meats from local suppliers.
    Retailers
    Checkout: St. Vrain Market thrills tourists while strengthening a small community
    St. Vrain Market thrills tourists while strengthening a small community
    Aug 20, 2024
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    7 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Mary Ruth Organics
    Brands
    Why digitally native natural brands are rocking retail
    Why digitally native natural brands are rocking retail
    Aug 13, 2024
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    9 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Mountain Avenue Market
    Retailers
    Checkout: Mountain Avenue Market supports community—and vice-versa
    Mountain Avenue Market: A 50-year-old co-op in Colorado
    Aug 12, 2024
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    8 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Nude Foods Market
    Retailers
    Checkout: Nude Foods Market takes the P out of CPG
    Nude Foods Market sells consumer goods, minus packaging
    Aug 6, 2024
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    7 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Durango Natural Foods Co-op
    Retailers
    Checkout: Durango Natural Foods Co-op still thrives after 50 years
    Checkout: Durango Natural Foods Co-op continues to thrive
    Jul 30, 2024
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    7 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Weigh In: 9 ways retailers can get the most out of Newtopia Now
    Newtopia Now
    Weigh In: 9 ways retailers can get the most out of Newtopia Now
    Weigh In: 9 ways retailers can get the most out of Newtopia Now
    Jul 23, 2024
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    6 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Checkout: Rainbow Acres Natural Foods established retail’s footprint
    Retailers
    Checkout: Rainbow Acres Natural Foods established retail’s footprint
    Checkout: Rainbow Acres Natural Foods established retail’s footprint
    Jul 15, 2024
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    6 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    NBJ Award 2023: Leadership and Growth
    Industry News
    NBJ Award 2023: Leadership and Growth
    NBJ Award 2023: Leadership and Growth
    Jul 12, 2024
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    18 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Weigh in: 9 ways smaller stores can secure innovative brands first
    Retailers
    Weigh in: 9 ways smaller stores can secure innovative brands first
    Weigh in: 9 ways smaller stores can secure innovative brands first
    Jul 10, 2024
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    6 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    INFRA founding member Earth Fare rejoins retailers trade group
    Industry News
    INFRA founding member Earth Fare rejoins retailers trade group
    INFRA founding member Earth Fare rejoins retailers trade group
    Jun 19, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Retailers
    E-grocery sales growth slows, but expected to be significant by 2028
    E-grocery sales growth slows, but expected to be significant by 2028
    Jun 18, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    While magnesium is a popular supplement, it can also be a confusing one because of its different types and forms.
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: How do I know which form of magnesium to take?
    Secret Shopper: How do I know which magnesium to take?
    May 9, 2024
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    3 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Checkout: Harvest Fresh Grocery keeps community fresh for 30 years
    Retailers
    Checkout: Harvest Fresh Grocery keeps community fresh for 30 years
    Checkout: Harvest Fresh Grocery keeps community fresh
    May 7, 2024
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    6 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    9 organizations to support, educate independent retailers
    Retailers
    9 organizations to support, educate independent retailers
    9 organizations to support, educate independent retailers
    Apr 29, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Secret Shopper: Do all probiotic supplements need refrigeration?
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: Do all probiotic supplements need refrigeration?
    Secret Shopper: Do all probiotic supplements need refrigeration?
    Apr 24, 2024
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    4 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Gifts and general merchandise can grow a store’s bottom line—and drive traffic, as well.
    Retailers
    8 ways for retailers to boost gift, general merchandise sales
    8 ways to boost gift, general merchandise sales
    Apr 22, 2024
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    5 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    The Power of Meat 2024 report found that 92% of U.S. adults consider themselves either meat eaters or flexitarians.
    Market Data and Analysis
    Nearly all U.S. households purchase meat, but most look for sales
    Nearly all U.S. households purchase meat, but most look for sales
    Apr 16, 2024
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    6 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    Secret Shopper: Why should I look for branded ingredients in supplements?
    Retailers
    Secret Shopper: Why should I look for branded ingredients in supplements?
    Secret Shopper: Why should I look for branded ingredients in supplements?
    Apr 11, 2024
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    2 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
    California Fresh Marketplace storefront
    Retailers
    Checkout: El Rancho Marketplace, California Fresh Market thrive on local
    El Rancho Marketplace, California Fresh Market thrive on local
    Apr 9, 2024
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    10 Min Read
    byMelaina Juntti, Freelance writer
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