Dozens of retailers and suppliers of natural health products across Canada are preparing for Natural Health Products Week (NHP Week), taking place November 2 to 8. This year, the Canadian Health Food Association’s (CHFA) initiatives will focus on continuing to educate Canadians on the benefits of NHPs by developing a positive and engaging campaign.

Vega has agreed to be acquired by WhiteWave, one of the world’s leading makers of plant-based foods and beverages. The transaction is designed to create further opportunities for growth, making plant-based nutrition more accessible.

“As a pioneer in the plant-based movement, we’ve introduced Vega to a core loyal fan base and we are confident that WhiteWave will provide us with the expertise and resources to further realize our vision of empowering the world to thrive through clean, plant-based nutrition,” said Charles Chang, president and founder of Vega. •

Hempola – one of the first hemp companies in Canada – has now been re-branded as Mettrum Originals. 

These aromatherapy pastilles from St. Claires are made of pure essential oils and herbal extracts in a base of organic molasses granules.  Produced in a dedicated allergen-free facility. Distributed by Sproutmaster.  www.sproutmaster.com info@sproutmaster.com

With great fanfare and many friends and industry colleagues in attendance, Avril Supermarché Santé opened its first store in the Québec City region (Levis, QC) on May 27.

According to Avril, the 20, 000 square foot Levis store becomes the largest of its kind in the region and represents an investment of $4 million. Like its Brossard, Granby and Longueuil locations, it offers organic and natural products, fine grocery, local and gluten-free products, certified organic fruit and vegetables, natural supplements and vitamins, natural and organic cosmetics.

Dining options include the Avril Café with 60 seats, offering breakfast, a daily menu, a sandwich and salad bar, smoothies and a delicious selection of desserts and snacks.  The first Crudessence counter in the Quebec City region offers organic, raw food.

Sylvie Senay and Rolland Tanguay, owners of the other three Avril Supermarché Santé stores, are the initiators of this project. “For a few years now, the people of the Québec region have been requesting
 a store through our website,” says Sylvie. “We noticed during Expo Manger Santé that the people of Quebec are aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”

 “We offer a 100 per cent healthy and natural alternative to traditional supermarkets,” added Rolland.  •

The 4th Annual John Holtmann Memorial Golf Tournament was a great success.  “CHFA was thrilled to take the lead in organizing the event this year,” said CHFA president Helen Long. “Thanks to all our sponsors and golfers, we were able to make a significant contribution to the Vitamin Angels.  We would like to thank everyone that participated in the event and helped to make it a wonderful and successful day.” 

CHFA East is just around the corner. “While we don't want to wish away the summer, the excitement is building for this much anticipated event,” said Judy Sharpe, director, trade shows and conferences for CHFA. 

Finlandia Pharmacy and Natural Health Centre was founded in 1974. The vision of pharmacist Harlan Lahti, Finlandia has stood the test of time.  It was a unique business when it opened, and continues to be to this date, offering customers and clients a vast selection of products, the benefits of a compounding pharmacy and a multitude of professional services.

Mark Wednesday August 26 on your calendar: CNHR Magazine is hosting the first-ever Greater Ottawa Natural Open Golf Tournament at Pine View Golf Course in Ottawa.

“We have two goals with this tournament,” explained CNHR publisher Bruce Cole.  “We want to create a regional event, bringing industry members from eastern Ontario and western Quebec together for a day of fun and camraderie.  Secondly, we want the natural health community to support an important local charitible organization.  This year, we will be working with Harmony House in Ottawa.” Harmony House serves a vital role in the nation’s capital: it is a second-stage women's shelter (the only one in eastern Ontario), assisting women and their children in making the transition from a life of fear and abuse to one of security, confidence and independence.

The day will include lunch, 18 holes of golf (team scramble format scoring), dinner, prizes and a silent auction.  Retailers and suppliers are welcome to enter a foursome or sign-up individually.  Single players will be formed into foursomes.  Sponsors are invited to take part.  Hole sponsorships are available. Out-of-town guests can find tournament accommodation rate at Marriott Ottawa East for $139 per night.  Cost for tournament entry is $125 per player plus GST  ($40 for dinner only plus HST). For more information,  email Candace Sicari at candace@cnhr.ca. or donna@cnhr.ca •  

On January 23, 2015, the five owners of SOL Natural Foods in Aylmer, QC (James McConnell, Jean-Guy Beaudry, Guy Couture, Marie Couture and Monique Enright) began a long-awaited expansion project.  The current store will be increased by 3,000 sq. ft., taking the store size to 6,000 sq. ft. (4,000 sq. ft. sales floor).   “We’ve been dreaming of this project for 10 years,” said Monique. “We wanted to offer our customers a sales area of 4,000 sq. ft. Since 2005, SOL has felt the need to double its existing space. Finally, in 2007, an opportunity presented itself. A restaurant went up for sale 600 feet from our location at that time, and the available space was equivalent to the space we were already occupying . We could see expanding our sales area to the 4,000 square feet that we needed.  The additional sales area will enable us to increase our inventory. We will also be able to enhance the presentation of our products, improve our customers’ comfort and shopping experience and better serve our customers.”

General manager Guy Couture said despite the work going on, the store has remained open. “One of our greatest challenges has been to let our customers know that we were open during the renovations.” The expansion will be complete this spring.  SOL was opened in 1986 by the current owners.  •

Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC) is now selling its Ontario Natural  brand outside  of Ontario.  “In an effort to expand and develop its Ontario Naturals brand, ONFC decided late in 2014 to begin shipping to existing ONFC members and customers beyond the Ontario border,” explained Jennifer Hyde, Ontario Natural’s  brand manager.  “This was a momentous occasion since we had always restricted the sale of our products to Ontario customers.  This expansion allowed us to ship to our 125+ customers outside of Ontario, as far west as Winnipeg and as far east as Halifax.   

 “Alongside this was our decision to develop a working relationship with Horizon Distributors in British Columbia.  ONFC and Horizon have had a long-time relationship but had never done any business together, until now.  In February of 2015, we started shipping the Ontario Natural sauerkrauts and canned tomatoes to Horizon, which has exclusivity within the province of British Columbia.  So far, pick up at the retail level has been strong.” 

For more information, contact Jennifer at jhyde@onfc.ca.  •

Although it sounds a bit like a riddle, the newest “big thing” taking place at Natural Food Pantry is actually something on the smaller size.

Our July-August issue is our annual Supplier Profile Issue.   It’s your chance to tell your company story, and we make it so affordable for you!  When you buy an ad (full or half page), we give you the same amount of space for FREE, so you can run your ad and company profile side-by-side.  

Buy a full page, get the second full page for FREE!   Or buy a half page, get the second half page for FREE!  This is your opportunity to get the most value for your advertising dollar!  Plus, you get a free Product Profile!

Use the free space for a company profile: it’s your chance to provide the retailers with more information on your company values, product quality, sales team… the possibilities are endless.  Review last year’s Supplier Profiles online.  Go to the Suppliers tab and down to 2014 Info Book.

The thoughts of spring, warmer temperatures and flowers blooming will be a welcome reality after this frigid winter most of us have endured.  CHFA West in Vancouver is just around the corner, April 9-12, 2015.   Team CNHR is now working on our CHFA West post-show issue, which is one of our fastest growing issues of the year.  This is a perfect time to follow up your trade show efforts with an ad and news item in Trade Talk to refresh the memory of those retailers who saw your new products at CHFA West, and to also let those retailers who didn’t attend know what they missed at your booth.

CONGRATULATE THE WINNING RETAILER:
The May-June issue is also the perfect time to acknowledge excellence: specifically, to recognize the winner of the Brock Elliott Retailer of Excellence award.  You can take part in congratulating the winning retailer for only $425: this is your chance to recognize your customer on their win OR if they are not currently your customer, this is a fantastic way to be “introduced” to the winner of this award.  Once the issue is in the mail, call the retailer to follow up or better yet when the sales person visits, it can be a conversation starter.  
The $425 spent on this ad can lead to a long-lasting relationship with the winning retailer.

NEW PRODUCTS:   Don’t miss this opportunity to feature your new product for only $425.  If you place an ad (one third or larger), you receive a free Product Profile.   Just send us a high resolution image (300dpi) and a 40 word product description.  Also, include contact information to make it easy for the retailers to contact you.

EDITIORAL FEATURE:
How to better market your fridge space for Probiotics.    
We invite suppliers with a probiotic product to participate in this feature article.  Please contact me for further details.  Deadline for submissions is March 23.  (This feature is free to participate in.)

STAY IN THE NEWS WITH CNHR’S TRADE TALK
As always, please send me your industry news for our Trade Talk section.  Trade Talk is one of our highest read departments and is a vital part of the link between you and retailers.  This is where you can keep your customers and potential new customers updated on your new products, new staff, new website, new promotions, etc.  Deadline March 23rd.  This is a FREE service.

Lily of the Desert ‘s new USDA organic aloe water – Aloe H2O – is the optimal way to stay active and hydrated, and it only contains 3g of sugar per serving!  Aloe Mix n’ Go is the perfect solution to receiving aloe’s benefits while on-the-go.  Each packet contains the equivalent to a daily dose of aloe and you just mix with water n’ go!  www.lilyofthedesert.com

Pacific Foods is excited to introduce 8oz multipack Organic Low Sodium Chicken & Vegetable Broths. Ideal for the inspired home chef, each 8oz carton is the perfect recipe size for your favourite dishes, insuring that no product goes to waste! Each unique 8oz carton is made for convenience – easy-to-pour and reclosable!  www.pacifacfoods.com

In the world of vitamin C’s, only one provides 24hr immune support – Ester-C. It’s clinically proven to be absorbed faster and remain in the white blood cells of the immune system longer. Regular vitamin C just can’t compare. Ester-C Supreme is enhanced with immune-boosting Larch arabinogalactan and berry bioflavonoids and quercetin for potent antioxidant support.

For more information call 800.663.4163 or visit sisu.com

CanPrev Magnesium Bis-Glycinate 200 delivers exactly what the body needs and what your customers are looking for;  200mg of pure, elemental magnesium in every capsule.   Bis-glycinate is the superior form of magnesium due to its unsurpassed bioavailability and gentleness on the bowels. Consumer-friendly vegetable capsules - 90 day supply for great value.  

 www.canprev.ca   888-226-7733

Alpha BRAIN is a complete, balanced nootropic created from scientifically tested Earth-grown ingredients to specifically activate vital areas of neurotransmission. This is a nutrient combination for your brain which in a pilot study indicated improvements in verbal memory and executive function, helping you to achieve greater focus, memory and mental clarity.    Visit www.hedleys.ca for more details.

Energy, enthusiasm and passion” are the three words conference manager Tomas Nimmo used to describe this year’s Guelph Organic Conference, held January 29 to February 1 at the University of Guelph.