The Ontario Federation of Food Co-operatives and Clubs, Inc., operating as the Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC), Canada, signed a letter of intent to sell its business and key assets to the Horizon Group, Canada.

This transaction will be an important step toward preserving a strong Canadian natural and organic food distribution system in the province, says ONFC general manager Randy Whitteker. Horizon Group's Ontario operations would remain at the existing location in Mississauga, Canada.

ONFC owns Black River Juice Co. Ltd. and the Ontario Natural Food Co-op brand, and distributes more than 4,500 grocery, refrigerated, frozen, bulk and household items to natural and organic retailers in the eastern half of Canada.

The Horizon Group of companies and its subsidiary, Horizon Distributors, distributes organic and natural products in the dry, chill and frozen grocery categories, serving 1,800 locations annually, including natural and organic retailers, grocery retailers, online retailers, buying clubs and major retail partners such as Whole Foods Market.