08/28/2025
With love & joy, I want to congratulate my spouse Randy as he has been nominated for the CHFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Here is what they say about him:
"Celebrating Randy Whitteker, the 2025 CHFA Willie Pelzer Hall of Fame Inductee.
With more than 40 years of leadership, vision, and commitment, Randy has helped shape Canada’s natural, organic, and wellness industry.
As General Manager of Ontario Natural Food Co-op for 34 years, he transformed it from a $1.5 million distributor into a $50 million powerhouse, expanded warehouses, brought Whole Foods Canada its first grocery supplier, and championed cooperative partnerships with independent retailers.
Randy also launched the Ontario Natural Food Company brand to highlight locally grown products and pioneered the OnDeck program to give emerging brands shelf space. Beyond business, he has been a judge for Venturepark and Canadian Women in Food, while advocating for organics through the Organic Council of Ontario and CHFA.
His values-driven leadership continues to inspire a more sustainable and community-oriented food system. Congratulations, Randy, on this well-deserved honour. We can't wait to celebrate you at the CHFA Industry Awards ceremony, September 20, 2025, at CHFA NOW Toronto."
