Vancouver, BC — September 2, 2020 — Alive Publishing Group (APG), North America’s leading expert in natural health, has announced the acquisition of Canadian Natural Health Retailer (CNHR), Canada’s premier business magazine for health food stores.

June 1 marked a major transition in the history of The Organic Grocer, Surrey, B.C.  Almost 27 years after founding the store, owners Deb Foote and Garth Owen sold the business.

The Organic Grocer’s new owners are Kristina and Robi Cavallari.   Kristina brings a natural health background to her new venture.  She is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, earning her registered holistic nutritionist designation.  She has worked at Finlandia Natural Pharmacy, Quidditas Health, and most recently at Divine Root Nutrition.  Robi’s background and expertise is in the financial planning and banking sector. They have two young children.

Deb and Garth both have long histories as active participants in the Canadian organic movement.  Deb worked with Wild West Organics  from 1986 to 2006, and she received the CHFA Organic Achievement Award in 2005.  She has served on the boards of the Certified Organic Association of B.C., the Pacific Agricultural Certification Society and the CCEC Credit Union (which helped fund the original store).  She has also been involved with Agriculture Canada’s Organic Value Chain roundtable and the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada in Truro, N.S.     

Garth was primarily on the retail side at Lifestreams store and Woodlands Restaurant in Vancouver.  He also worked with the East End Food Co-op and Famous Foods, a century-old pioneer in bulk food, and spent a decade at Edible Island Whole Food Market in Courtney, B.C.  He served two terms on the CHFA board of directors and headed the organic caucus.  

Naturally, they depart the industry with with mixed emotions. “I guess you could liken the process of selling a business to sending your first born off to college,” explained Deb.   “We are relieved and – at the same time – perhaps a little hesitant. It’s a big change. We have been a part of this industry for more years than we can remember and ridden many a wave along the way. Yet, we have enjoyed every minute of it, challenges and all.”

The Cavallaris are looking forward to carrying the legacy of  the Organic Grocer.  Said Kristina, “The Organic Grocer speaks to us as a family and is the perfect fit for our future.”

Congratulations to Organika CEO Aaron Chin on being named one of the 2020 30 Under 30 winners, as named by BC Business. Aaron joined Organika – a company founded by his father Tom – as a youngster, working around the plant, doing odd jobs. He joined the company fulltime in 2014, and worked in various departments, learning the business from the ground up. Today, Aaron and his brother – company president and COO Jordan – are the second-generation leaders of the organization.

Our retailers coped and conformed during the COVID-19 pandemic.  They hired part-time and temporary staff to help clean and stock the stores, ran extra social media contests for free products, shared baking posts and healthy recipes to encourage grocery shopping in the stores and help keep Canadians healthy. 

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been trying to get an accurate gauge for how I felt.  It got more difficult as time went on as the situation changed daily.  This thing has been a moving target since day one.  

CNHR editor Bruce W. Cole popped in on some members of our natural health community during a recent road trip in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area.

  Organic Garage opened in 2006.  Today, there are five stores. On a visit to the original Organic Garage on Oakville’s Kerr St., we met (from left) cashier supervisor Aliyah Allen, produce manager Gibson Elek, grocery manager Carson Ash and grocery specialist Blanche McCoy.

There was an excellent turnout in Edmonton for Deane Parkes’ retailer training tour in Alberta in early November.  He also spoke to retailers in Calgary and Red Deer.  Stores that were represented at the Edmonton talk included  Polar Bear Health, Simply Health, Stony Plain Wellness, Optimum Health, Vitality Health, Planet Organic, Morning Sun, Regent Health, Homegrown Foods, Healthmatters and Sangsters.  Deane’s education tour was a function of his role as an education ambassador for Natural Factors and Assured Natural Distribution.

CHFA West 2020 is shaping up to be one for the record books, with many opportunities to reach further, together.  

CHFA is excited to once again host its Retailer Bus Tour on Thursday, February 20. The tour will include four or five stores located in North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver.  Retailers will benefit from the opportunity to see what other health retailers are doing first-hand to attract customers. 

Also on Thursday and Friday, you can attend the conference sessions which will include a variety of retail experts, talking about growing sales, remaining competitive and using social media to attract customers. 

Back by popular demand, the exciting Launch Pad competition is a must attend event, with eight finalists vying for the title of Most Innovative Product at CHFA West 2020. 

During the show on Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, don’t forget to visit Incubator Alley, new to CHFA West.  This part of the show floor is where small start-up companies and brands that are not widely distributed will be introducing their products to Canadian retailers for the first time.  

Online registration is open and retailers can register for free using the CNHR code W20M15.   For more information, visit chfa.ca

The theme of the 39th annual @Guelph Organic Conference is ”Where Farmers and Consumers Meet.”  The 2020 version of Canada’s largest organic education and trade event is being held in the Guelph University Centre January 23 to 26.   “The conference welcomes organic growers, who can meet with leading processors, brokers, distributors and retailers,” explained conference manager Tomas Nimmo.  “Another major feature is that motivated consumers can directly contact the organic producers, to buy their products and form lasting relationships.”

The four-day workshop program includes 40 unique sessions, covering everything from farming on 2,000 acres to setting up a balcony garden.  The last two days of the conference features a free 150 booth trade show.    For more information, please visit guelphorganicconf.ca

Bill and Tammy Watts, co-owners of Foodsmiths in Perth, ON have introduced an eco-friendly fill station they recently developed and installed in the store.

The Vitamin Shop, Victoria, BC  – one of Canada’s most iconic and successful health food stores – marked its 35th anniversary on September 20 and 21 with a celebration and consumer event. There were free samples, product demonstrations, cake and more. 

North Coast Naturals is making a big splash this fall, with the announcement the company is launching six new products.

WomenSense continues to support the launch of its recently released PCOSense. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common metabolic and hormonal disorders, affecting one in 10 women of reproductive age. 

Terry Naturally CANADA has introduced two new products that Canadian retailers and natural healthcare practitioners have been asking for: Sucontral D and Healthy Feet & Nerves. 

Golfers couldn’t have asked for a better day at the John Holtmann Memorial Golf Tournament, June 6 in Hornby, ON.  

New Chapter has something new on the horizon.

Fun, fresh air and fellowship are just three things you will find at the 2019 John Holtmann Memorial Golf Tournament.  The industry’s most popluar golf event returns to the Royal Ontario Golf Club, Hornby, ON on June 6. This annual charity event is held in honour of the late John Holtmann, who was the president of Vita Health Fresh Markets in Winnipeg, MB.  John also served on the Canadian Health Food Association’s board as a director and board chair. He was inducted into the CHFA Hall of Fame in 2010. John passed away in 2011. 

The golf tournament serves as a great opportunity for the industry to come together for a relaxing and fun day, and is also a key fundraiser for Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC). In 2018, the event raised $10,000. 

Registration is 10AM, lunch is served at 11AM, and the shotgun start is at noon. A reception begins at 5PM, followed by dinner. For more information, please visit chfa.ca

CHFA Quebec returns to the Palais des congrès de Montréal in the spring. 

Retailers: Terry’s Tools & Tips is designed to help you combine passion for health with healthy profits.

As a health food retailer, you’re already passionate about helping people live their best. What if your mission could generate even more success for your store?  Terry Naturally CANADA says it can, and Terry’s Tools & Tips from Terry Naturally CANADA can show you how.

Vancouver is well known for its outstanding health food stores.  If you’re coming to CHFA West, join us for a tour of five must-see stores on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 9AM to 5PM.  From traditional health food stores to larger super centres, we’ll take you on a tour that highlights their unique offerings and share successes that could easily translate to your location.  Join host Bruce Cole of CNHR Magazine for a full day of exploring, learning and camaraderie.  Departing from the Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, the Retail Bus Tour is a great opportunity to network with fellow retailers as you begin your CHFA West experience. Registration fee includes lunch. $40 for members, $50 for non-members.