A Tribute to 39 Years of Commitment

Vita Health John Holtmann Honoured with Hall of Fame Award

VANCOUVER, May 25 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) awarded Vita Health Natural Food Stores owner John Holtmann with the 2010 Hall of Fame Award, CHFA's most prestigious honor. This award was presented on May 15th, 2010 at the closing gala dinner for Expo West, the largest conference and trade show in western Canada for the natural health and organic products industry.

John Holtmann has been an active member in the Canadian natural health products (NHP) industry for over 38 years which began with his employment with G.W. Seier, Vita Health's founder, in 1971. In 1998, Mr. Holtmann purchased the Vita Health retail stores to keep the business as a family-operated company. Since then he has contributed to the incredible growth of the natural food stores of Manitoba, still leading today in the province's highly competitive natural health market.

"We are incredibly pleased to honor Mr. Holtmann with this well-deserved award," stated Deborah Callbreath, Chair of CHFA. "With his incredible support of CHFA, he has acted as Chairman of the board of directors and has been committed to the NHP industry for close to 40 years. He has been a major contributor to the incredible success of where the industry is today."

Carrying forward into the third generation, John's son Mathew Holtmann is currently working within the business as Corporate Grocery Manager. "I would like the people involved in our industry to know that the products and services we provide are critical to Canadians with health challenges," says John Holtmann. "That is why we provide the best quality of products that is available. CHFA does very important work and they deserve the support of all retailers."

Every year, CHFA presents the Hall of Fame award to a member of the Canadian natural health industry for outstanding contribution to the development and growth of the industry. Qualifications for eligibility include long industry service and participation in the natural health industry as a Canadian retailer, supplier, practitioner, researcher or communicator, impressive achievement over a lifetime and peer recognition as a pioneer of the industry.

* Pictures of the event are available upon request.

CHFA is Canada's largest national trade association dedicated to the natural and organic products industry. The association represents manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, growers and importers of natural and organic products, including foods, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal products, homeopathics, sports nutrition products, fibres and health and beauty aids. CHFA represents more than 1,000 business owners and operators and is an industry that contributes $3.5 billion to the Canadian economy.

For further information: or for interview requests, please contact: Barbara Barrett, CHFA Public Relations, Telephone: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected], www.chfa.ca