Good Earth Natural Foods Opens in San Rafael
Good Earth Natural Foods, a popular organic grocer, is opening its third Bay Area location in San Rafael. The store, known since 1969 for its focus on organic foods and high-quality seasonal produce, offers another option for families seeking local and budget-conscious grocery sources.
The new San Rafael location, expected to open in spring 2027, will occupy a 21,300-square-foot space at 1500 Northgate Drive, formerly a Rite Aid. This move is part of a larger redevelopment of the Northgate Mall into an open-air shopping center with mixed retail and housing. The new store is anticipated to create over 200 jobs. Good Earth has a long history in Marin County, having first opened in Fairfax in 1969 on Bolinas Road. This was long before "organic" became a mainstream concept, and the store quickly gained a loyal following for its commitment to high-quality produce and natural foods. Its second location opened in the Tam Junction area of Mill Valley in 2016. The company has been independently owned throughout its history and is currently led by co-owners Mark Squire, Al Baylacq, and Stephen Mitchell. Squire, who started working at the store within its first six months of opening at age 16, has been a significant figure in the organic food movement. Since 1980, Good Earth has had a profit-sharing program in place for its employees. Mark Squire and Good Earth played a pivotal role in establishing credibility for organic products. In the early 1970s, when there was no official definition of "organic," Squire was instrumental in the creation of the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). He helped write the original organic certification standards that are still in use nationally. Beyond its retail operations, Good Earth has been an active community partner and advocate for environmental and health initiatives. The company was a key supporter of creating Marin Clean Energy, which shifted the county's power generation to more renewable sources. It was also involved in the Non-GMO Project, an organization focused on providing consumers with clear, non-genetically modified organism choices. The new San Rafael store will feature many of the popular departments from its other locations, including a 100% certified organic produce section, scratch-made organic prepared foods, and a café with juices, smoothies, and coffee. It will also have a full-service meat and seafood department and community dining areas.
