Canada's business magazine for traditional natural health retailers

2 minutes reading time (364 words)

New owners for the Organic Grocer, Surrey B.C.

Family Photo copyJune 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.”

 

CNHR News Podcast

cnhr radio hour

News, Views and Happenings in the world of Canadian Natural Health.

Check out this month's podcast here

Your customers have spoken.  The numbers are convincing: Canada’s natural health retailers turn to CNHR for your new products.  A survey conducted in June 2020 shows retailers read the ads and Product Profiles, and react to them.  They order products they’ve seen in CNHR.  They look for your new products in CNHR.  Reach your customers via CNHR by print, video and/or podcast.  Various opportunities available to fit any budget. 

• Launch your new products

• Support your sales team

• Be visible as stores re-focus and re-charge

• Stake your position in the “new normal”

• Reach more stores – from coast to coast

• Introduce your company to new potential customers • Combine CNHR’s print, video and podcast options

 

New!  Product profile package

Retailers want to see more of your new products.  So, we’re making it easier for you and them. 

Introducing our new Product Profile Package:  a three-pronged way to reach retailers by combining print, video and podcast.  You get all three!

PRINT:  Claim a spot on CNHR’s Product Profile pages, mailed to health food stores coast to coast, and read by over 10,000 retail store buyers, owners, managers and staff.

VIDEO:  This is new for CNHR – video product reviews.  You’ll get a 30 second review of your product with product image and voiceover.  Five products per video, then e-blasted to CNHR’s database, to be shared among staff and with the store’s customers.   

PODCAST:  Also a new feature.  Your product will get a mention on the New Products portion of the popular CNHR News Podcast, hosted by CNHR editor Bruce Cole and Deane Parkes.   Your company name, product name, a couple of lines, followed with your company contact information.

Three-platform exposure for your new products, delivered by CNHR, the trusted source of industry information retailers have counted on for 24 years.   Three platforms for $699.00

The Product Profile Package is FREE to all full or half page advertisers!

For more information please contact:

Email: advertise@alive.com
Phone: 800.663.6580