In 1982, Dr. Jim Cranston and a local partner saw a need in Western Canada for a new concept in food shopping.

After the first year of business, it was apparent that consumers were ready to adopt the idea of shopping in bulk and the new variety of products it offered.

In 1983, the partners had made the decision to move their small bulk food store into a 5,000 square foot, high profile, location in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

The rest, as they say, is history. With the new visibility and influx of customers came the requests for franchise information.

In 1984, Nutter's Bulk and Natural Foods officially began franchising and after two years of business, had opened 11 outlets in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

With growth, came the need to make administrative changes and Dr. Cranston and his partner recognized the need for strong, full-time leadership of the company.

In 1984, Dr. Cranston's nephew, Donald Cranston, purchased the shares of Dr. Cranston's original partner and began what has been a 31-year evolution of the Nutter's operating system.

Through the leadership of Donald Cranston, and Lynn Cranston (daughter of Dr. Jim Cranston) with input from a very experienced head office support staff and franchisees from diverse backgrounds, the Nutter's Bulk & Natural Foods concept has seen incredible change from the original concept.

The evolution of the business has taken us from a traditional bulk food store, to seasonal gift tray programs and now, health and natural food centres