John Holtmann Golf Tournament raises over $9,000 for Community Food Centres Canada
The annual John Holtmann Golf Tournament, held this year at the beautiful Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ontario, was a huge success. With 114 golfers from across the industry participating, the event raised over $9,000 to benefit Community Food Centres Canada, an organization committed to building healthier and more connected communities.
Good Health Mart annual education conference
The Good Health Mart in Ontario brings its franchisees and store managers together once a year for a two-day education conference. This year’s meeting was held in June at the Georgian Bay Hotel, Collingwood, Ontario.
A spotlight on the best of our industry’s women: Interview with Deb larocque
The column is led by Ellen Wheeler, vice president of partnerships for Alive Publishing Group and associate publisher of CNHR. In this column, Ellen introduces you to Deb Larocque, national sales manager at Assured Natural Distribution with 26 years in sales and marketing.
The organic comeback starts here: OCO gets to the root
For years, the Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) has been a vital advocate for organic farmers, building public trust, promoting transition, and advancing sustainable agriculture. But despite these efforts, the organic movement in Ontario is facing a troubling trend: fewer farmers are staying certified organic. Even with rising climate concern, consumer demand isn’t keeping pace with supply.
Pure Lab Vitamins expands magnesium line
Since 2002, Pure Lab Vitamins has led the way in effective, Canadian-made magnesium supplements. Their trusted magnesium glycinate line now offers excipient-free selections that meet today’s growing demand for cleaner, more natural supplements.
Feeding the future
Imagine strolling the aisles of your local natural health retailer and spotting foods and supplements proudly displaying a “feeds your microbes” badge. I believe if that were to happen, chronic-disease curves would finally begin trending downward.
Help kids dig into a school garden—and grow!
You can help kids across Canada experience the wonder of the seed-to-table cycle, one garden at a time.
Until November 30, 2025, the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation will match your donation up to $1,500 per school garden.
Health First Network retailer dinner hosted by A. Vogel
A.Vogel had the pleasure of hosting a lovely dinner in Montréal, Quebec, with some of the Health First retail partners from across Canada.
Lifestyle Markets, Victoria, BC, celebrates 30th anniversary
This is a big anniversary year for Lifestyle Markets in Victoria, BC. It was 30 years ago—in 1995—when Lifestyle Markets first opened on Victoria’s Douglas Street with the goal to offer natural and organic produce and groceries, supplements, vitamins, and bodycare products.
Celebrating Randy Whittaker: 2025 CHFA Willie Pelzer Hall of Fame inductee
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has announced Randy Whittaker as the recipient of the 2025 CHFA Willie Pelzer Hall of Fame Award. Over a remarkable, four-decade career, Randy’s leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment have helped shape Canada’s natural, organic, and wellness industry.
Canada’s Organic Action Plan: What’s in it for the retailer?
The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) champions the growth and integrity of organic trade from farm to marketplace. As a national voice for organic, COTA works at the intersection of policy and trade, advocating for enabling regulatory environments for organic businesses, protecting the organic logo, and driving market opportunity.
Healthology acquired by Prairie Naturals
Prairie Naturals’ chair and CEO Jewel Tran and company president and CFO Dennis Fong are thrilled to announce that they have officially acquired Healthology International Inc. in July 2025.
Exciting news! The alive Executive Summit returns in February 2026
After another extremely successful event in 2022, the alive Executive Summit is back in February 2026, bringing together top-level decision makers from across North America for a one-of-a-kind experience.
CHFA NOW Toronto 2025: Canada’s largest natural, organic, and wellness trade show returns!
CHFA NOW Toronto is back this September 19 to 21, and we’re gearing up for our biggest show yet! As Canada’s largest trade show dedicated to natural, organic, and wellness (NOW) products, this is the can’t-miss event that has the entire industry talking.
It’s always wonderful to welcome “new blood” to our community
While attending the Health First Network (HFN) annual general meeting (AGM) in Montréal, Quebec, this past spring, I made it a point to try and connect with people I’d never met before. It was very encouraging to meet some first-time AGM retailer attendees, folks who in many cases are brand new to our industry.