Calgary Co-op, Canada, acquired the retail business of Community Natural Foods, Canada.

“As representatives of our 440,000 members, Calgary Co-op’s board is pleased support the expansion of Calgary Co-op’s commitment to health and wellness, while providing Calgary Co-op members with the benefit of annual net earnings from the Community Natural Foods business,” says Patricia McLeod, board chair for Calgary Co-op.

Calgary Co-op and Community Natural Foods maintain more than 100 years of combined community presence.

“I really want to thank Calgarians for their loyalty and the Community Natural Foods team for their passion to provide our city with natural and organic food,” says Garry Wilkes, founder and owner of Community Natural Foods. “It’s been an amazing 42-year journey, and it was my personal wish to sell to a buyer who would steward the Community Natural Foods business and brand carefully and thoughtfully. I believe the Calgary Co-op team is the perfect fit as our two organizations share similar values and a deep connection to this community.”

“For Calgary Co-op’s food business to survive and thrive in the long term, we must work locally to increase the relevance of our unique offering of products and services to members’ lifestyles,” says Ken Keelor, chief executive officer, Calgary Co-op. “We must also deliver steady financial performance for our member-owned co-operative. This acquisition is an important step in that direction.”

Calgary Co-op plans to operate Community Natural Foods as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary, with the current staff and management structure in place.

“Our entire team looks forward to connecting with the passion and expertise of our Community Natural Foods colleagues,” says Keelor.