ASHEVILLE – Earth Fare, a natural and organic grocery store chain, is announcing that Frank Scorpiniti has been named the company’s new CEO.

The Asheville-based company operates 33 full-service grocery stores throughout the Midwest and Southeast United States, including eight in North Carolina. The stores provide shoppers with natural and organic foods free of additives and artificial ingredients, and also contain health & wellness departments featuring holistic bath and body products, as well as vitamins, supplements, and other nutritional support.

Scorpiniti’s arrival coincides with a period of rapid growth for Earth Fare. The grocery chain plans to add more than half a dozen stores in the year 2015, beginning with its first Atlanta-Metro location, which will open for business in Peachtree Corners this month.

Prior to joining Earth Fare, Scorpiniti served as CEO of Katz Group Canada Ltd/Rexall/Rexall Pharma Plus. He joined the Canadian drugstore company as Chief Operating Officer in 2011, before advancing to the role of CEO in 2012. Frank has spent the balance of his career in retail, beginning in store operations at Long’s Drugs in his native California in 1986. He held various positions of increasing responsibility before joining Duane Reade drugstores in New York in 2008 as senior vice president of pharmacy operations.

During his tenure at both Duane Reade and Katz Group Canada Ltd/Rexall/Rexall Pharma Plus, Scorpiniti played a critical role in repositioning these strong franchises, and his success is due in part to his strong commitment to the health and wellness of his shoppers.

“I strongly believe that a retailer has to live its brand values and principles in how it operates and engages with its customers, something that Earth Fare already exemplifies,” said Scorpiniti. “I am looking forward to bringing my personal passion to Earth Fare, and helping an already vibrant company reach its full potential.”