Tocha Foods

Wellness trends don’t stop at the border. What’s hot in the U.S. is flowing into Canada, and #CHFAnow made that crystal clear. Functional sodas, protein-in-everything, natural energy, women’s health, and supplement surging. But there are also uniquely Canadian twists. A refreshing number of brands were weaving sustainability seamlessly into performance. And plant-based innovation felt less like imitation meat and more like a celebration of plants. Here’s what caught my eye 👇 ⚡ Alt-Energy Canada’s got a thirst for energy. But the next generation isn’t reaching for neon cans—they want natural alternatives with smoother lifts and no crash. Guayusa and yerba maté starred at the show, backed by community-rooted storytelling. Education is still early, but the lane is wide open for a Canadian champion. 🍫 Protein Proliferation Protein has become the passport to every aisle. Gummies, mac & cheese, waters, lattes, PB cups, hot chocolate, rice crispy treats—nothing is off limits. Canada, like the U.S., is in full protein mania, with new delivery systems multiplying. 👩🦰 Women’s Wellness A category renaissance is underway. Brands are targeting every life stage: periods, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause. Sustainable period care (cups, discs, reusable pads) is breaking taboos, while supplements aim to balance hormones and boost wellbeing. One emerging practice: #SeedCycling — rotating pumpkin/flax and sesame/sunflower through different cycle phases, aimed at supporting hormone rhythms. Still niche, but a signal of how nuanced this space is becoming. 🌍 Everyday Eco Sustainability is alive in the North: liquid-free detergent sheets, shampoo cubes, plastic-free deodorants, compostable coffee. These brands wisely make their eco-creds a part of the products overall performance and not a one-note talking point that polarizes. 🌱 Plant Proud Canada is embracing mother nature, putting the “plant” back in plant-based and moving away from meat mimicry. Tofu, tempeh, oat milk ice cream, frozen meals: whole foods from plants, not just substitutes. 💊 Supplement Surge From magnesium to collagen, electrolytes to creatine, supplements were everywhere. Think Athletic Greens fast-followers, gummy formats, sachets, and powders. High margins + growth make the category irresistible, and the broader longevity boom is giving it cultural weight. 🫧 Better-for-You Bubbles The “refreshment-with-benefits” space keeps bubbling up. Canadian OG Cove Soda started the party, and now a flood of new entrants are joining—from BFY sodas to sparkling waters, caffeinated lifts, and functional bevs. Canada may be catching up to U.S. trends, but the appetite for healthier bubbles is undeniable. 🔎 Noteworthy Mentions 🍻 Non-alc sweeping through Canada 💪 Creatine gaining ground in performance 🌊 Sea moss across five different brands 🌶️ Tocha Foods “Not hot" hot sauce #CPGtrends #NaturalProducts #FoodInnovation Canadian Health Food Association Aaron Skelton