Welcome to Winter! At ONFC we love this time of year. After all, what better way to share the warmth and sentiment of the season than with good food and trusted products that offer peace of mind. We hope you enjoy our Winter 2010 issue of Naturally Informed and, as always, we welcome your feedback. Just drop us a line at info@onfc.ca with any comments or questions.
View a Special Message from Randy Whitteker, General Manager, ONFC
As we move toward the end of 2010 and look to the new year, our resolutions include continuing to make our local economy, our provincial community, our global environment and our business partners including members, customers and vendors our priorities. One way we hope to do this is through the responsible use of technology to help us communicate better, more frequently and in easier to access ways. You can view this message from Randy here or by visiting us online at www.onfc.ca

Please CLICK HERE to view Randy’s Winter 2010 Podcast.

CHFA Expo East is a Resounding Success
As you’ll see from the gallery of images available at www.onfc.ca/news/ONFC News, the CHFA Expo was another resounding success! Once again, we had the privilege of winning The Best Booth Award for a large pavilion. In addition, we must also congratulate Devika Rivera for winning the Award of Excellence for Inside Sales/Customer Service!

With over 2700 attendees over the course of the 3 day event, the show was very busy with many opportunities to spend time building our relationships beyond food distribution. Thank you to all of our members, customers and vendors and other business partners who joined us for tasty food samples, the unveiling of our new Ontario Natural product packaging, and who came by to put faces to names. And a very special thank you to all of our ONFC staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make CHFA a success once again!
Congratulations to the following gift basket winners:
Gift Basket/$50.00 Value Ontario Natural Brand – Heathwise Ontario Natural Brand – Arbour Environmental

Gift Baskets/$100.00 Value Cocoa Camino, Multiple Organics Prana, Wholesome Foods Ruth’s Hemp, Nature’s Care Arayuma, Foodsmith’s ONFC - Nutra Health

 Gift Basket/$150.00 Value Marsham International Brokers/ Various products – Nature’s Best

Gift Basket/$200.00 Value Theobroma, Chicory Common

Gift Basket/Silver Hills Bread Panacea Rosemary’s ONFC’s Warehouse team

Two FREE – ONFC $400.00 orders Herb & Spice /Bank St. Wheatberry

 The ONFC Team accepts award for Excellence in Exhibit Design, Promotion and Staffing in a Large Booth, CHFA 2010 (Top row L to R: Connie Rennie-Matta, Devika Rivera, Tonya Monsalvo, Shaistah Mahoon, Sarah Ayerst, Janette Chamale, John Landsborough. Bottom row: Randy Whitteker, Kate Jarvis, Liz Cruz, Kim De Lallo)
Devika Rivera accepts the Jack Gahler Memorial Award for Excellence in Inside Sales, CHFA 2010

Congratulations Guy D’Addario!
Everyone here at ONFC would like to send out a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to
Guy D’Addario of Natures Emporium – winner of the CHFA Retailer Spotlight Award!

Congratulations Audrey Duann!
Everyone here at ONFC would like to send out a BIG CONGRATULATIONS as well to Audrey Duann of The Big Carrot Natural Food Market, Toronto for winning the Preferred Nutrition Award for Excellence in Retail Sales!
Help Us Celebrate Our 35th Anniversary!
2011 marks the 35th Anniversary of ONFC! For 35 years we’ve been growing and changing and working hard to bring our members and customers the very best organic and natural products, while all the time keeping an eye on our mission to work towards a sustainable environment and support our local Ontario communities and economy. Join us in 2011 as we give ourselves a pat on the back! Watch for our 35th Anniversary logo as well as some exciting programs, opportunities and exposure for ONFC.
Taking Advantage of Seasonal Specials
Along with winter comes the holiday season and ensuring that you have what you need on hand is crucial when it comes to holiday entertaining and cooking. This is why we have created a Festive Flyer with great deals on all the fixings you’ll need to make your holidays unique. To view our flyers and specials online, visit: www.onfc.ca/cat. For tasty and healthy recipe ideas, visit Kateís Kitchen at www.onfc.ca/cat and try something new this holiday season!
Three Ways to Welcome Winter:
  1. Create a beautiful centerpiece for your kitchen table – incorporate cinnamon sticks, pinecones, nuts and evergreen for both fragrance and winter visual appeal.
  2. Make a big pot of homemade chili. Try Ontario Natural canned tomatoes and herbs in your recipe for added goodness and outstanding flavour!
  3. Visit a local Ontario farm. Many of Ontario’s farms offer the opportunity to tour facilities, get up close and personal with the livestock and, during the various seasons, offer activities such as sleigh rides. For more information about farms in your community, visit: www.ontariofarmfresh.com

Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours
As we look to the close of 2010 we want to extend our gratitude to you our Buying Clubs Members for making this such a remarkable year for ONFC.

Looking back, we have made great strides forward together – we’ve introduced new products, rebranded our Ontario Natural products, launched our new website, introduced leading edge technologies, received recognition for the work we do from our industry and our peers – and so much more. All with an eye on our mission to support a sustainable environment and local economy – right from seed to plate.
Please join us in extending a wish to world for peace, joy and an environment that will sustain and nurture us all as we move into the New Year.

Keeping it local,