A thriving organic sector begins where most consumers make their decisions: the retail store. Shoppers today are more conscious than ever about the food they eat and the products they use. They want to know not just what is organic, but why it matters—for their health, the environment, and the future of sustainable farming. This makes education in retail spaces crucial.

In September 2025, Alive Publishing Group and Magic Scoop hosted an informal retailer dinner in Toronto during CHFA NOW.

We’re beginning to fully appreciate just how crucial our microbiome is for whole-person health, especially in preventing and managing chronic disease.

CHFA hosted its Hill Day in Ottawa on October 6 and 7. The event brought together delegates from across Canada and the natural, organic, and wellness value chain.

 The whimsical dreams of a child are often fleeting, innocent thoughts that eventually fade—but that wasn’t the case for Kim. The impact of visiting Westmount stayed with her. In 2006, after various other pursuits, Kim landed where she was likely always meant to be: as the founder of her own health food store.

“CHFA NOW 2025 was a powerful reminder of what makes our industry extraordinary.” These are the words used by Lynsey Walker, vice president, marketing and communications, for the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), to describe the industry conference and trade show that took place September 18 to 21.

Not everyone in our industry knew Brenda Parkes. She was one of those people who didn’t crave attention, who worked quietly behind the scenes, and who worked best in one-on-one situations to make everyone around her better. She just wanted to help improve the lives of those she worked with or came in touch with. For this reason, I’d say Brenda was very much the living embodiment of the spirit of the natural health industry.

Since joining Alive Publishing Group (APG) in February 2024, Aaron Alvarez, retail account executive, has played a pivotal role in supporting natural health retailers across the country by connecting them with the Natural Product Advisor course. This training empowers staff to confidently guide customers, identify upsell opportunities, and drive sales growth that ultimately improve the store’s bottom line.

Over the years, Montreal has been the source of many interesting store features in CNHR. Its early health food stores and the pioneers who opened them have a deep and rich history in the city.

 During a recent visit to “the City of Saints,” CNHR conducted one of its classic “pop-in” tours, getting out on the streets and visiting a few stores and a head office location.

 In this first part of the retailer roundtable series from 2025, we will share insights on how retailers are navigating the ongoing tariff fluctuations and challenges in the supply chain. With ongoing uncertainty surrounding the border and tariffs with the US, retailers are choosing to do what they can to provide customers with clarity and choice.

Nicole Rumley had wanted to move her health food store for a long time, but she could not find the right spot.

 Until the day she found the right spot.

With alive Workplace Wellness, our goal is to inspire more people than ever to fall in love with healthy living. The past few years have reinforced the importance of supporting immune health and managing stress. Join us in inspiring your team to reclaim control over their well-being—to make time for that virtual yoga class, to keep baking new things, to prioritize great sleep, and so much more!

In recent years, independent natural health retailers have been engaging with a new kind of shopper: The All-Knowing Consumer. Armed with all the latest product and pricing information the internet has to offer, including customer reviews and ratings, along with countless online opinions about the ideal foods or best natural medicines to take, The All-Knowing Consumer comes to your store, ready to battle.

To better understand the health challenges Canadian women are navigating, CHFA conducted a national study—and the findings point to clear opportunities for solutions.

In this column, Ellen introduces you to Tawnya Ritco. Tawnya Ritco, RHN, is director of marketing at Health First Network. With over 20 years in natural health, she leads initiatives that empower independent retailers and strengthen healthier communities across Canada.