In a bid to sow the seeds of environmental consciousness among Canadian children and their families, the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation has initiated a seed preservation program to promote seed biodiversity and ecological seed production, and to keep seeds in the public domain.

Health Canada is introducing new front-of-pack labelling changes that will come into effect in January 2025.

 Gather your clubs and fellow teammates for a day of friendly competition and networking amid the stunning greens of Lionhead Golf Club.

In February, CHFA's Industry Night Out in Calgary brought together nearly 100 retailers, health practitioners, manufacturers, and businesses operating in the natural, organic and wellness (NOW) space.

Melanie Vacquier has been appointed key account manager, supporting health food stores across Canada. And Nicholas Bright has joined Bioforce Canada as key account manager for grocery, drug, and mass accounts.

Betsy Puff has joined the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation in the role of education program coordinator.

Recently, I was in Langley, BC, to visit a couple of great health food stores. The mini road trip was a little extra special because I was accompanied by my Alive Publishing Group (APG) colleagues: Laura Newton, editor; Tracy Peternell, group content director and editor-in-chief; and Ellen Wheeler, vice president of sales.

The Canada Organic logo on your favourite foods did not appear until June 2009. Until then, producers and farmers did not have a federal standard to indicate how organic their products were. There were no harmonized national guidelines along the organic supply chain, no national criteria for audits, and limited access to international markets.

Get ready for an exciting change in organic promotion this fall. While Organic Week might ring a bell, brace yourself for the organic extravaganza that is Organic Month, happening this September! Participate to drive organic sales and build public trust in organic.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This observation was offered by American anthropologist Margaret Mead.

 A compelling example of this is taking place in the heart of Carleton Place, Ontario. There, a thriving initiative known as the Carleton Place and District Youth Centre’s community garden project is sowing seeds of change, nurturing both minds and bodies.

CHFA is turning 60! “We have a lot to celebrate,” says Randi Ptolemy, content and public relations manager for the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA). “Join us to honour the growth of the natural, organic and wellness (NOW) industry at CHFA NOW Vancouver, April 2-5, 2024. We’re gearing up for this to be the best show yet.

After being unable to travel during the pandemic, Sofia Constantinou and Callie Farrell were excited to hit the road again in 2023 visiting Health First Network (HFN) member stores across Canada.

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) Industry Night Out in Montreal on November 7, 2023, was a chance for Quebec-based CHFA and industry members to gather, reconnect, and network.

The organic sector recently unveiled bold plans to accelerate growth: a robust organic action plan is taking shape through a coalition of the national associations—Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), Canadian Organic Growers, and Organic Federation of Canada—working together. The National Organic Action Plan for Canada is positioned as an engine for accelerated advancement. This comprehensive strategy acknowledges the pivotal role of organic practices, underscored by benchmarks, objectives, and strategies designed to fortify the organic supply chain and amplify the global appetite for organic products.