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Drew’s path at Cornucopia wasn’t linear; it was intentional. He says, “I came into that job wanting to do more. I wanted to improve my life and the way to do that was to work hard, be honest, and be kind to people” 

After working various jobs at Cornucopia – from the deli counter to stocking to managing – Drew was offered the incredible opportunity to take over the business. “The previous owner called me and said, ‘Hey, do you want to buy the store?’ It was an opportunity I couldn’t miss because I had spent so much time building the business up,” he says.  

Cornucopia Natural Foods Exterior

Now, as owner for the past three years, Drew brings the same hands-on mindset to leadership that he did in every role along the way, believing that even the smallest jobs are vital to store health and growth.  

“A good dishwasher is a hard thing to find. So, if you find one, you got to pay them right, you have to take care of them. Because even though most people might think, ‘Anyone can do that job,’ if you don’t have one for a day, your kitchen is in big trouble.”  

This sentiment is part of a bigger philosophy that Drew has when it comes to staff growth and retention at Cornucopia.  

“I think that building trust with your staff is so important,” he says, “It’s not just how much you're paying the person, it’s about creating opportunities for two-way communication that better the entire business as a whole.”  

But Cornucopia’s integrity goes beyond how they treat their employees. Drew takes pride in curating a product selection that makes shopping simple and worry-free for customers.  

“I don’t want to sell any products that I wouldn’t eat,” he says, “I want this to be a place where customers can come in, buy any product in the store, and feel like they didn’t even have to check to label.” 

Drew Alexander

Cornucopia also values giving back to their community through initiatives like 1% for the planet, which they’ve been participating in for the last 10 years. 

“We really want to give back to communities that have supported us and dedicate some of our success to improving the world,” he says, “we’ve found a number of charitable organizations that operate in Long Island, so when we donate money to them, we’re not just donating to the planet, we’re donating it to our backyard.”  

Drew has also decided to further his professional career by serving on INFRA’s Board of Directors, where he’s been able to give back to the network that has supported his store growth. He especially values the diversity of perspective that the board brings to running INFRA. 

He says, “We’re a collection of independents and none of us are exactly alike. It’s so vital for us to have diverse voices on the board so we can discuss the best ways to handle things. We have to find ways to service all members, not just a single member or small group,” he says.  

For Drew, being a member isn’t just about buying power, it’s about a shared sense of community and purpose.  

“INFRA is more than a purchasing cooperative. It’s about being a group of individuals with a shared values system working towards a better world,” he says.  

INFRA Board of Directors 

Drew’s journey is a reminder of what can grow when you lead with purpose. He remains focused on offering healthy, trusted products, building a values-driven workplace, and helping other independents succeed. 

Listen to the full episode here!