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CHFA 2017!

  • September 25, 2017
  • 3 minute read
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As you all know if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, the CHFA trade show is a weekend that I look forward to all year, not only do I get to see so many great people doing great things in food, but I get to see/taste/learn about all of the new things we will see at health food stores and supermarket aisles in the coming months. This year marked the 10th time I’ve been to this show (check out my reviews from 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016). Many people reminded me how when they first met me at the show, I was only as tall as their table (you can see a few years of pictures here)!

As always, I tried many great products, I discovered some great new products brands, and was baffled by the usual couple of booths that REALLY don’t belong at a health food show (like GayLea!). Since I now have a job as a swim instructor all day Saturday, I had only one day to complete the entire show floor instead of two like all my previous years – no mean feat!

Instead of boring you with too many details, I have listed my top finds, in no particular order, from the CHFA 2017 (other highlights can be found in my photo gallery below).

  1. Greenhouse Juice Co. Although it was Greenhouse’s first time at the CHFA show, I have been a longtime supporter and “enjoyer” of their amazing organic and cold-pressed juice. Where most juice companies would either use HPP and/or plastic bottles to make their juices last longer, Greenhouse is using neither – they have come up with a whole new process that preserves the superpowers of their juice AND avoids plastic bottles and uses glass! You can expect these refreshing drinks to be in smart retailers at a new lower price point later this year, including a new dairy-free milk that is healthy and versatile! (Check out my original review of them from 2014 here, which also happens to be the first blog post written about them!)
  2. The Chufa Co. This amazing company that has been making tiger-nut milk launched a new product today at the show – tiger-nut ICE CREAM! This delicious dessert is organic, vegan (dairy-free), nut-free (tiger-nuts are actually a tuber), and AWESMAZING! When it hits stores, it will be available in three flavours – vanilla, strawberry, and my favourite, chocolate brownie! This was my favourite sample at the entire show. (Check out my review of their tiger-nut milks here)
  3. Vegan Rob’s. This amazing new (to Canada) company was founded by Robert Ehrlich (creator of the popular snack food Pirate’s Booty) with the intent on creating a product that was “delicious, healthy, and a whole lot of fun.” Vegan Rob’s makes creative snack foods like asparagus chips and brussel sprout puffs, and although it doesn’t replace eating organic veggies, are delicious and something i have shared with many kids, to rave reviews!
  4. Michelle’s Rawfoodz. Although this company’s focus seemed to be showing off their new bright salad dressing, spreads and sauce labels and branding, I am much more excited about their new Chocolate and Mint Chocolate Pudding. They are organic, vegan, nut-free, creamy, delicious and only made with really good ingredients that you will know. Review coming soon!
  5. Organic Gemini. This tiger-nut company (yes, more tiger-nut!) makes protein powder that is ok (I am not a huge protein powder fan) but their granola is incredible, and their new shelf-stable dairy-free beverage that is great for cereal or general milk use – is incredible and totally crap-free! From their company: “Organic Gemini TigerNuts products are all very high in prebiotic fiber, which resists digestion and helps our bodies to naturally develop probiotic bacteria ensuring a strong immune system, which is key to eliminating various causes of fatigue, regulating body temperature, and preventing the onset of most modern diseases. TigerNuts are popular for their weight-loss benefits and are also high in iron, potassium, magnesium, and Vitamins C & E.” Pretty cool! I will do a full review of this brand’s products coming to Canada!

Another successful show on the list! Now – I start getting excited for Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, which I will be going to in March! I have never been, but can’t wait to see many of these amazing brands there and discover so much more!

So awesome to see Bruce from Vermints! These are the mints that you should be keeping around! Nothing fake in their tins!
Dina from Mighty Fine Brine feeding me a horseradish pickle! This is a local brand, and although not organic cucumbers, have the best flavour of a store-bought pickle around!
From Koa Natural Foods – A Li’l Nutty chocolate-covered quinoa! So good! There are no nuts in this product, but are part of a bigger product line, many with nuts. I think these would be amazing on a sundae bar!
Greenhouse’s awesome display fridge! Impossible to just walk by!
Gemini’s Tiger-nut beverage mock-up and toger-nut oil!
Brew Dr. Kombucha‘s new flavour Vanilla Oak – comes in a new and bigger bottle! Many of their new flavours are excellent. I really love their branding and bottles!
The Chufa Co’s new ice cream! Seriously fantastic, delicious, awesmazing!
Zazubean chocolate – always delicious! I like the “lunatic” bar the best – chocolate mint with nibs in it for crunch!
Crazy D’s prebiotic drinks! Great to see them at CHFA this year after trying this innovative drink at the Green Living Show last year!
Naledo Truly Turmeric Paste! Such a great story behind such a great product! I discovered them orginally last year at CHFA but learned that I can use their paste to make a turmeric drink with it this year.
Great to see Michelle, the actual person behind Michelle’s Rawfoodz! I am holding what will be their packaging for their new chocolate pudding. I have a feeling that this will always be in our fridge and taken on school trips!
So great to see Patrick from Japan Gold – they have a new Smokey Tamari that is to DIE for and an organic ramen that might be a good fast food option, I just haven’t tried it yet!
Prana‘s new Matcha chocolate! If you don’t know about Prana yet, check out their brand – this Canadian company is committed to organics and makes amazing products!
Farmhouse Culture has a NEW line of probiotic drinks called “Gut Punch”! My favourite is the lemon ginger! Also, wait until you taste their Kraut Krisps! Awesmazing chips!!!!
So awesome to see Mitch from GimMe Snacks! He is one of the kindest and most encouraging people I have met through the CHFA – and GimMe makes great seaweed snacks that I appreciate!
Free2B finally launches in Canada! Makers of amazing dairy-free chocolate cups and snacks! I like this brand, even though it is not all organic because they are allergen-free, which means they are completely safe for my sister to enjoy!
Organic, gluten-free oats – from a Canadian company! Oatmeal is one of the very few things that I can actually make well!
Living Alchemy fermented supplements! The capsule is even made from food, instead of gelatin! (If you don’t know why gelatin is bad, just Google it!)
Peeking at the new products!
Navitas Naturals new super powders – coming to stores in 2018! I have my eye on that focus one!
Freeyumm – school-safe snacks that everyone will love! Allergen-free is catching on!
Great to see Jonathan from Healthy Butcher – their first time at the show with their awesmazing jerky and BBQ sauce!
Evive smoothie cubes – no blender needed! Just add water or milk for a full smoothie!
So awesome to see Julia from Nud Fud!
Turmeric Teas – so great for warming up in the cold weather! My favourite one is their Winter blend!
Still one of my absolute FAVOURITE treats – Heavenly Organics’ mint chocolate honey patties! Keep them in your freezer, trust me!
Green Table Foods‘ NEW pickles and fermented hot sauce, and their classic spicy mustard are awesmazing! Another great Ontario company!
So awesome to see Deborah from Deebee’s Organic again! Have you tried their new freezies?
Organic Gemini Organic also makes Tiger-nut granola! Such an awesome snack and packed with nutrients.
Marc from Coconut Bliss! Another great guy, who is always so encouraging to me and seems genuinely thrilled sharing the Coconut Bliss love! Unfortunately, he told me that their awesmazing ice cream sandwiches (review here) won’t be in Canada until 2019! I guess we’ll have to keep going to the US to get them…
Lesser Evil Snacks – super awesome chips and Buddha Bowl popcorn, but way cooler to meet the man who designed the great packaging!
One of the nicest guys I know, who always makes time for me – Peter Neal from Neal Brothers Foods! He always seems to have a lineup of people who want to talk to him! That is something to aspire to – be so kind that people want to work with you!
End-of-day haul! I don’t take everything that I am offered, but like to take new things to try and to share with my brother and sister when I get home. They have great opinions too!
New Made Good chocolate chips! Allergen-free and organic!
Solenzi Vegetable-based Pasta! I will report back once I have tried this, but my mother was excited about it! Another allergen-free brand!
Veggie-Go’s – sweet snacks without anything bad in them! Also allergen-free!
Always so awesome to see Richa from Good Food For Good! Her ketchup is only sweetened with dates and is packaged in glass bottles!
A new frozen dessert – Tubify freezies! Comes in coffee, lime, raspberry, and mango flavour! These are already in some stores like Organic Garage and Fiesta Farms.
An old favourite – RISE Kombucha!
GT’s Kombucha – have you tried their new Turmeric flavour? Definitely my favourite in their lineup. You can probably tell by now that I love kombucha.
New Love Crunch cereal from Nature’s Path! If you like their granola, you will love this! Definitely a treat, since it does have lots of sugar, but it’s delicious and made my brother really happy!
Sunflower Kitchen has new and awesmazing salsas and organic soups and stews available, but I depend on their organic hummus when I am on the go and pick up lunch from a store. Nurith is the owner and creator of Sunflower Kitchen!
Another classic – Healthy Crunch! Thanks to Julie for making kale chips that are nut-free! You can find her snacks at Starbucks, movie theatres and even costco now!
A great new product – Wize Monkey low-caffeine touted-to-be-healthy tea! Great packaging and story about what the tea supports. I liked their mint variety.
Theobroma Chocolate, now in resealable bars! (Though my mother and I can’t imagine opening a bar and not eating the whole thing…is that just our family?)
Booch Kombucha – brewed in Ontario! Quite delicious!
Gold Rush ready-made hash browns, julienne fries, and more! He spoke to me about a commitment to organics and how quickly his product cooks!
Another classic Ontario brand we should all enjoy – Yoso’s dairy-free yogurt and cream cheese!
JJ’s Cocomels – still waiting for the chocolate-covered ones to make it across the border to us…if you haven’t yet tried this, you are missing out!
The WIZARD behind Farmhouse Culture’s Kraut Krisps and Gut Punch!
Screamin Brothers dairy-free coconut ice cream! Tastes just like soft-serve when you let it sit for 10 minutes before eating!
New gourmet avocado oil! I love avocado oil and loved that this one is organic and the people who own the farm were at the show!
Sunshine Farms – have you tried their pickled jalapenos? They are SO GOOD in salad!! Organic and local too!
So awesome to see Julie Daniluk at the show! Hemp seeds for all!
New snack food on the market – Vegan Rob’s!
Maison Orphee yellow mustard! What makes your mustard yellow? Check! Also bonus for being in glass not plastic!
Ginger Turmeric tea with Tulsi – Holy Basil! I really like turmeric!
Great to see Darren from Crazy D’s Soda again!
New Boulder Canyon Rice Bran Oil and Coconut Oil chips! Only 3 ingredients!
Another favourite and staple in my home – Noble Bean Tempeh from Quebec! Always buy tempeh that needs to be frozen!
So great to see Zoe from Tonica, showing off their new kombucha on tap! If only I could install this in my kitchen!
With Peter Neal and Kathy Smart on the show floor!
New sprouted wraps from Silver Hills! I didn’t get to even sample these, but excited to try and will keep my eyes out for them in stores!
So awesome to meet Dror from Sol Cuisine! Check out their awesome new branding and products – in stores soon!
So great to meet one of the original family members from SeaSnax! I love this product, and my favourite flavour, hands-down are the lime ones.
So amazing to see Andrea from the Chufa Co. with their awesmazing new tiger-nut ice cream! “The New Non Dairy”!
So awesome to see someone who cares about what they do and do it so well like Oren, The Vegan Broker! He also owns Bio Raw, a company that makes allergen-free, organic, vegan salads with a ton of protein.
Two of the original founders of Greenhouse Juice – Anthony Green and Emma Knight! Really nice people, always smiling – must be the power of their juices!
Organic konjac noodles! Have you heard of them? They are quite delicious – they basically have no flavour so you can use any dressing or sauce you like best!
Great day with my mom and looking forward to our trip in March to Expo West in California!
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ABOUT ME!
I started reviewing food on my blog at 8 years old. Now I have applied my passion for real food to public speaking, product demos, and convincing people to eat more organic hummus!
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Part of Taste Is Feeling Good About What You Eat

I started reviewing food on my blog at 8 years old. Now I have applied my passion for real food to public speaking, product demos, and convincing people to eat more organic hummus!
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