CHFA West Review

 

CHFA Expo West Report

CHFA, COTA reach agreement to work together

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) and the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) boards of directors met on April 15 in Vancouver and formally adopted a new framework agreement on strategic partnering in support of Canada’s organic sector. The agreement represents the culmination of ongoing dialogue, joint activities, and board consultation, and is intended to enhance membership value and benefits as well as ensuring continued success for the growing organic industry.

COTA and CHFA are confident the framework agreement will enable the two organizations to continue to explore ways to collaborate and work collectively on projects and issues of common concern, that are of mutual importance to their memberships.

CHFA and COTA have identified the following areas for possible partnering and further discussion:

• organic retail issues and projects, including the Canadian Organic Retailing Practices (CORP) manual and roll-out, consumer research and statistics/polling,

• Organic Week and public education/lobby campaigns,

• CHFA trade show and related events/conferences,

• exchange and shared intelligence on technical issues relating to focus areas (e.g. organic standards, natural health products, etc.),

• public relations activities, and communications activities and materials.

As an example of early collaboration, COTA took the lead in organizing the highly successful organic bus tour in conjunction with CHFA’s annual Expo West conference and trade show. More than 50 participants toured four food production facilities, which included Ethical Bean, Left Coast Naturals, Nature’s Path, and Olympic Dairy. •

Video hypes natural health

Attendees of CHFA Expo West had the opportunity to preview the new Love Natural Health initiative. Launching in May 2011, Love Natural Health is a national consumer campaign aimed at enhancing knowledge about the size of the Canadian natural health industry and the benefits of taking natural health products as part of an active and healthy lifestyle. Homeopathic doctor Bryce Wylde, host of the popular television show Wylde On Health has signed on to be the official spokesperson of the campaign.

You can check out the promotional videos here: www.lovenaturalhealth.ca featuring Bryce Wylde along with other industry leaders such as Stewart Brown (Genuine Health), Caroline Farquhar (Renew Life), Deane Parkes (Preferred Nutrition), Bruce Cole (CNHR), Michele Sevier (Nutrition House) and Helen Sherrard (CHFA).

In May, the web site is being transformed into a social platform that encourages consumers to express their “love” and share real-life experiences with others on any specific retailer, brand or product in the natural health industry. The campaign will also support CHFA’s consumer initiative by linking to www.nhpsnotdrugs.com. •