The National Nutritional Foods Association is attempting to boost membership by rolling back dues for some retail members to $30—the price the association charged in the early 1960s.

Independent stores and chains of 50 or fewer stores now will pay a $30 flat fee.

"The impetus for this change—simply put—is to grow retail membership in NNFA to a level where the association is truly the voice of the natural products industry," said NNFA President R. Mark Stowe. "A substantially increased retail membership will give us greater clout in legislative and regulatory arenas."

NNFA membership was approximately 3,600 stores in 2001; however, a survey of nonmember retailers reported that the 2002 dues, which began at $190 and were based on a store's annual sales volume, were too high. There were about 3,000 members in 2002.

Association services will not be cut because of the reduction in retailer dues, Membership Director Adam Finney said. The decrease in funds from the 2003 dues structure will be offset by an increase in members and additional advocacy contributions.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXIV/number 1/p. 12