The third annual Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC) table top featured ideal weather, a great turn-out and lots of deals, food, activities and prizes for retail attendees. Hundreds of retailers attended (many from out-of-province) and some went home with prizes. The Green Door Grocer and The Old Kitchen Cupboard
each won an iPad Mini. Strictly Bulk and Heather Lea Farm Market
each took away a $500 ONFC credit. Two stores won free ONFC product to create a display: Health Wise
and The Great Vine. And three stores – Beaches Natural, The Vitamin Store and Tree Haven – took home gift baskets. Tonica was voted best vendor display.

Joy of the Mountains' Oil of Oregano was voted top herbal product by consumers at this year's Alive Awards of Excellence. Joy of the Mountains is a family-run business that guarantees premium quality and performance. According to company president Terry Mann, "You pay for what you get. Oregano is all we do. And we do it well."

Organika reports it has won seven medals in the recent OPTIMYZ Magazine's Best of the Best Awards. Over 100,000 Canadians voted on their favourite products. Organika's gold winners were PARA-FREE Capsules, TNT PLUS Capsules and Melatonin Peppermint Sublingual Tablet. The silver medal winners were Garcinia Plus weight loss supplement, 5-HTP Capsules stress supplement and Curcumin Capsules arthritis joint supplement. Organic Greens Powder won bronze in the greens supplement category.

Medical journalist W. Gifford-Jones, MD has written a book. What I Learned as a Medical Journalist is a collection of W. Gifford-Jones, MD weekly columns covering the last 38 years. Dr. Gifford-Jones is a graduate of the University of Toronto and The Harvard Medical School. He trained in general surgery at the Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University and in gynecology at Harvard. The book is available from Preferred Nutrition. www.pno.ca.

Ecotrend Ecologics has introduced Good-Gums into Canada. Good-Gums is a product for the gums and was recently issued an NPN from Health Canada Good-Gums contains only natural ingredients: herbal, vitamin and mineral, with no GMOs. Ecotrend will be distributing Good-Gums from BC to the Maritimes. Contact Ecotrend for pricing information and free sample-brochures: 800-665-7065 or at orders@ecotrend.ca. •

NutraLab Canada Ltd. has named Michael Ash as its president for North America. Michael has been a friend and industry colleague to NutraLab for many years. Previously, he was the senior vice president of sales and marketing at Pharmetics Inc. Michael brings with him over three decades of industry experience and knowledge for both pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals. He has worked on a multitude of projects over the years to serve both domestic national accounts and international clients.

"We are thrilled that Michael will be joining us," says Dr. Peter Ou, NutraLab's founder and CEO. "Michael has been a trusted friend for many years, and I believe our company will grow to even greater heights with the synergy between NutraLab's scientific expertise and Michael's professional industry experience." •

He's back!

Richard Fenton has joined Platinum Naturals as a key account manager responsible for natural health retailers with a national presence.

Richard has over 25 years of experience in the natural health industry and has held senior sales management roles with Renew Life, Preferred Nutrition and Natural Factors.

Richard will be working out of Platinum Naturals' Richmond Hill, ON head office.

You can reach Richard at: rf@platinumnaturals.com.

Award-winning Canadian supplement manufacturer Platinum Naturals has introduced DECO, an innovative and natural line of premium Italian chocolate supplements which support the general health of adults, aid healthy development for children and target menopause symptoms.

Platinum Naturals is partnering with Canada's pioneer, female television host and trusted advisor, Dini Petty, to help educate consumers about the efficacy of supplements found in natural fats like chocolate and to share stories from across the country about family health.

Platinum Naturals has developed a proprietary technology that promotes the absorption of active ingredients through natural fats and oils. The suspension of active ingredients in fats such as chocolate (at only 35-36 calories per square), ensures they are more readily absorbed by cell walls. This technology is the foundation of the DECO line which includes an Adult Dark Chocolate multivitamin for minimizing the risk of developing health conditions associated with poor diet, a Children's Milk Chocolate multivitamin, formulated with hormone-free milk, for healthy growth and development and a Dark Chocolate Menopause Relief supplement.

For more information, please go to www.platinumnaturals.com. •

Eden Foods has appointed Christophe Dieudonné as its new Canadian national sales manager. Christophe brings 24 years of experience to this position, including 15 years in the Canadian natural foods and herbal supplements industry.
For the past 10 years, Christophe has served as regional sales manager of eastern Canada for Nature's Path Foods. He has also worked as a key account manager with Swiss Herbal Remedies.
"Christophe has relationships and expertise across many classes of trade," said Demian Potter, Eden's vice president of sales. "He is fully bilingual and has command of both of Canada's official languages. Everyone at Eden Foods is excited about moving forward and working with Christophe. We expect he can teach us a few things."
You can contact Christophe at cdieudonne@edenfoods.com. •

Nutter's Bulk and Natural Foods, based in Medicine Hat, AB, recently honoured some of its long-time franchisees and staff, including Ray and Linda Smith, Pat and John Florence and Don Chartrand. Presentations were made at the annual Nutter's conference in September. "Also, we would like to recognize Annette Bronsch, store manager in Canmore, AB and Susan Presetsky, store manager in Camrose, AB on the occasion of their 10th anniversary with Nutter's," said company president Donald Cranston. "Lynn Cranston and I would like to congratulate each franchise owner and Nutter's staff members for their respective years of dedicated and loyal service to Nutter's and their respective customers and wish each continued success." •

Laura Tarte, Vita Health, Winnipeg  won the Gordon Storie Memorial Bursary.

Carlson Laboratories opened its new manufacturing facility in Arlington Heights, Illinois June 14, 2013. In order to expand its operations and to accommodate business growth, Carlson Laboratories moved to the new facility, which is almost double the size of its previous plant.

BioResource Inc. Sales & Marketing has announced a new association with Adrienne M Natural Health Products Inc. for the distribution of products from Ortis, a leading European herbal product manufacturer.

St Francis Herb Farm is planning to introduce five new products at CHFA East in October. New products include: Fémance Menopause (Vitex Combo) Vegicaps, Liquid Coconut Oil, Coconut Oil & Butter Ghee Cooking Spray, Oréganum Plus for Kids, and Oréganum Plus Gelcaps with Vitamin A.

As reported in the May-June issue of CNHR, one of Canada's oldest natural health companies has rebranded. Cheryl Grant from Vitality says the new branding reflects energy, confidence and simplicity to help customers select products. The branding was created with the busy retail shelves in mind to be fresh, and eye catching for merchandising in natural health stores.

Vega has introduced a category first for the nutritional beverage and sport nutrition category: 100 per cent (excluding colorant) post-consumer recycled plastic tubs for the entire Vega One and Vega sport line. The new tubs contain 96 per cent recycled content which helps save landfill space and helps preserve the environment. This packaging change is part of Vega's ongoing commitment to provide sustainable products, packaging and practices that meet the needs and expectations of conscientious customers.

To meet Health Canada's regulations, Organika has re-named Organika's Organic Coconut Aminos. The new name is Organic Coconut Sauce.

"For many years, Formula FLW was only available to retailers through third-party distributors," explained Brian Bylsma, Vitamost's vice-president and director of sales. "Someone once said to me that the best people to sell a product are the people who created it. So, that's what we're doing. We are proud and excited to be offering the original arterial cleansing and cardiovascular health product, formulated by our founder David W. Rowlands 30 years ago. Formula FLW continues to deliver remarkable results."

By selling direct, Vitamost can support retailers through prompt access and training, while providing access to additional condition specific educational material.

For more information and to read testimonials about Formula FLW, please go to www.vitamost.com or you can call

855/314-3411.

The all-new ECHINAMIDE Quick-Blast liqui-gel softchews arrive just in time for winter. Your customers will love this soothing eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon in a base of honey and super-strength Echinamide to instantly soothe the throat and clear the sinuses in one quick blast.

Natural Factors new Green Coffee Bean will be a popular choice for your customers interested in healthy weight control.

Natural Factors Organic Oil of Oregano has been a top selling product for years. Natural Factors has just released the extremely potent, easy to use Organic Oil of Oregano in softgels.

Natural Factors new, easy to swallow RxOmega-3 Mini-Gels are high potency omega-3 EPA and DHA at half the size of other fish oil softgels. The clear enteric-coated softgels will prevent fishy repeat.

Also, the new Natural Factors website is coming soon. Estimated launch time is early October. You and your customers will enjoy improved navigation and increased education content on products and health conditions.

For more information, please contact your Natural Factors representative or visit www.naturalfactors.com.