Who is Fruitful Yield and where did we come from?? We want to take a walk down memory lane and share a little about our history. While we’ve been around for over 60 years, our roots go back nearly a century!

Where it all began

Our story began during World War I, when the U.S. Government commissioned Dr. Charles E. Fearn to develop soy products as an alternative protein source for our troops. Dr. Fearn’s postwar ventures included starting the manufacturing company Fearn Soya Foods. However, soy products did not fare well for long on the fledgling health food market. After Dr. Fearn’s passing in 1949, Paul Richard, a friend and trained pharmacist, purchased Dr. Fearn's struggling company at auction.

The "Health House"

In the 1950's, with the newly acquired Fearn Soya company, Paul developed one of the first powdered protein supplements to hit the market: chocolate soy protein flour. Protein supplementation was a revolutionary concept at the time, but new research showed promising results for muscle development.

Paul's business gradually grew until his passing in 1960, when his three sons inherited the business. As the eldest son, and new manager of Fearn Soya, Elwood Richard wanted to learn more about the retail side of the natural products industry. Elwood's interest led to the opening of his first “Health House” store in 1962 in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Within the first decade, business had grown enough to add four more stores to the retail chain. By 1971, the health food store chain had officially been renamed to Fruitful Yield Health Foods.

 

 An earlier, groovier Fruitful Yield logo

Elwood's next chapter: founding NOW Foods

El's retail experience at Fruitful Yield and a highly competitive market soon revealed a need for products that were both natural and affordable. Drawing upon his degree in physical chemistry and his manufacturing experience at Fearn Soya, Elwood founded the NOW® brand of foods and supplements. The first products offered included dry milk, whole wheat flour, and Vitamin E.

NOW® set an industry standard in the early stages of the natural products industry, and overall natural health movement, by providing products that were truly “Natural, Organic and Wholesome.”

NOW / Fruitful Yield founder Elwood Richard (center) and sons David (left) and Dan (right)

Building a Fruitful Legacy

Though NOW® quickly outgrew its parent company, becoming a globally recognized brand, Fruitful Yield continued to grow on a more modest scale and established a reputation as Chicagoland’s friendly health food retailer. Today our chain includes 12 stand-alone stores and 3 pop-up stores within Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets across the Chicago suburbs, as well as a retail website that serves customers across the country

Fruitful Yield remains known for its five-star customer service, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and truly natural products at affordable prices – all of which reflect our founder’s original business values.

Throughout our story we have learned through both struggle and success to persevere without compromising our integrity or standards. Today, Fruitful Yield carries on a legacy of family values and service to our community, empowering others to lead healthier lifestyles naturally!

Our original Elmhurst location was relocated just a block away at 135 N. Addison Ave. This is a photo of the newer store front. Visit our hometown location today! Directions: Elmhurst
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Coia Rae
January 29, 2021
IL 20 F My partner recently brought home an item from this company and I must say we are honestly beyond satisfied! The Ultrasonic Real Bamboo Essential Oil Diffuser was an very essential buy! My partner also purchased the pure Spearmint and Lavender Oils which are perfect for either a cool refreshing morning routine or a meditation session before bedtime! I couldn't have been more happier after learning more about the company on the website and its commitment to every single customer's well-being! Thank you so much and keep up the great customer service I heard of as well!!
Michelle Wong
February 17, 2021
Thank you for reaching out Coia! That's one of our favorite diffusers from NOW too. So glad you are enjoying it.
Amar
May 31, 2022
Thanks for sharing informative article.
Bonnie
March 16, 2023
What is the relationship of NOW to Lucky Vitamin? Lucky was such a great company. I used it in place of Amazon because it was small, ethical, great customer service, speedy delivery, and most of all, the boxes did not smell of pesticide, mildew and fragrance like they do from Amazon. The products were always fresh. I miss Lucky Vitamin!
Adam Richard
March 16, 2023
Hi Bonnie, LuckyVitamin is now a part of the Fruitful Yield family, which is owned by NOW Health Group. We hope you’ll consider purchasing from Fruitful Yield now that the LV site has shut down!
Ingrid Mohn
March 20, 2023
how are the subscription shipments being transferred to your company?
Adam Richard
March 20, 2023
Unfortunately, Fruitful Yield does not offer auto-ship for our customers, and the Lucky subscription program has been terminated since February 2023.
Karin Accettura
March 27, 2023
I was employed at "Fearn Soya Foods/Richard Foods" in the late 1970's and early 1980's, located in Franklin Park, Illinois. I started as a Receptionist, then became a Secretary and then a Buyer. Is there a 'Relationship' to "Fruitful Yield Health Foods"? - Respectfully, KARIN Reinhardt ACCETTURA, Elmwood Park, IL
Adam Richard
March 27, 2023
Hi Karin, Awesome to hear about your employment in our history! Yes, Fearn Soya Foods was the first company from Elwood before he started Fruitful Yield, and henceforth became a supplier before becoming Now Foods, which is still under the same ownership as Fruitful Yield!
KARIN Reinhardt ACCETTURA
March 30, 2023
Hi Adam - so happy to receive a response to my comment, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day! I remember Elwood very well, the most hardworking person I've ever met! - Wishing you and your family all the best and a happy Easter Holiday! - Respectfully, Karin
HT
April 9, 2023
VERY sad to see the Lucky Vitamin website disappear. The Fruitful Yield website doesn't have ANY of the specific products from specific brands I used to buy regularly from Lucky Vitamin. It doesn't have the list of my favorites/wish list to make it easy to reorder the same items. The selection has been tremendously reduced. I will have to find another site to buy from. Very disappointed.
Adam Richard
May 16, 2023
If there were any products that you are unable to find on our website, please let us know and we can offer an alternative from one of our wellness educators!
Ralph Lotz
April 25, 2024
I am indebted to the Fruitful Yield and NOW FOODS. El Richard gave me my first job in The Health Food industry in the early 1970"s. This opportunity grew to an active 35 years active in all phases of the business including manufacturing, distribution sales and marketing and e-commerce. I encourage all who read this to support Fruitful Yield by buying from them. They support you and their workers. They are on the cutting edge! Ralph Lotz, Lombard, IL
 

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