MONTREAL, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - Nowadays, Canadians are more than likely to make the connection between health and nutrition. Retailers tapping into this healthy foods market will no doubt be scoping out the latest products and hottest trends at Expo Québec, the largest trade show for Québec and Eastern Canada.

Taking place January 16-18 at Montréal's Place Bonaventure, www.placebonaventure.com, Expo Québec offers retailers a high-level conference program combined with a sold-out trade show floor with over 130 principal companies.

"Quebecers are looking to eat healthier foods," says Penelope Marrett, President and CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association, www.chfa.ca. "All Canadians look to natural health products and organic foods as an integral part of health and well-being." According to a survey by the National Institute of Nutrition, the majority of Canadians surveyed cite "health maintenance" as the key consideration when selecting foods. More women (74%) than men (64%) consider health maintenance to be very influential for their decision on food choices, says the 2001 Tracking Nutrition Trends.

This shift in attitude has led to the jump in sales of certified organic products. In Québec, supermarkets saw a 21% increase from 2005 to 2006, according to report by Statistics Canada released in 2008. Indeed, more Québec farmers reported growing certified organic fruit, vegetables, or greenhouse products with 125 farms in 2001 to 208 in 2006, an impressive 66.4% increase.
The year 2009 marks the 45th anniversary of the CHFA, the show producer and the voice of the industry within Canada. Hard to believe a small group of passionate people got together in 1964 in Vancouver to form the Canadian Health Food Dealers Association, which was renamed the CHFA in 1978. Expo Québec kicks off the anniversary year celebrations.