The Association’s roots trace back to Vancouver, when a small group of health food retailers banded together to give one another mutual support and to provide people with the tools to create better health through good nutrition.

In May 1964, the Health Food Dealers Association was formed. This group became the Canadian Health Food Association in 1978.

Today, CHFA has a membership of more than 1000 business owners and operators and represents an industry that contributes $3.5 billion  to the Canadian economy.

CHFA offers a variety of communications in both official languages, to update members in the latest developments of the industry.

CHFA also creates community using social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

CHFA is the leading provider of conferences and trade shows for the natural health and organic products industry in Canada. These shows are the largest of their kind in the country: Expo East ranked 24th spot in 2008 of the top 50 Canadian trade shows, and Expo West was accessed for the first time and placed 38th in 2008.

In 2009, CHFA celebrated 45 years as the voice of the natural products industry.

In 2009, CHFA headlined the Save Our Natural Health Products campaign, to raise awareness and demand changes in the restrictive regulations facing the industry.

Following the positive results of the Save Our Natural Health Products initiative, CHFA plans to launch a national public awareness campaign in late 2010. It seeks to underline to consumers and government decision makers the importance of high quality natural health products.

Also in 2010, CHFA introduced an Expert Scientific Advisory Panel consisting of scientific experts who are available to speak on behalf of the industry and CHFA on current scientific events and technical issues surrounding the NHP and organic industries.