For more than 40 years, Gaudaur Natural Foods has stood as a trusted health and wellness resource in downtown Orillia, offering a wide range of vitamins, supplements, organic foods, and body care items. Now, even as the store maintains its brick-and-mortar charm and personal touch, it’s also striving to meet the needs of a broader audience through its online platform, serving customers throughout Canada and the United States.
Owned and operated by the same family since the early 1980s, Gaudaur Natural Foods originated when the current owner’s mother purchased the store from its previous proprietor, Steve Church, approximately 40 years ago.
“My mom bought it 40–41 years ago. She had worked for Steve for a couple of years, and when the opportunity arose, she took it,” Jake Gaudaur, explains. “I’ve been running the store for the past 19—coming up on 20—years.”
Visitors will find everything from vitamin C supplements and herbal remedies to natural beauty products and gluten-free essentials. Jake, who works closely with the Health First Network—a network of 41 other stores across Canada—notes that this collaboration helps them stay on top of consumer needs and industry trends.
“We share insights, best sellers, and new products. It’s like a family where we all share information.”
Customer input and relationships with local naturopaths, who frequently refer clients to Gaudaur Natural Foods, guide much of the store's product selection.
“They’ll send people here for products they recommend—like a specific digestive enzyme or supplements to support respiratory health,” Jake explains. “We do our best to keep what our community needs, and if someone can’t find something, we’ll try to order it in. We have over 250 distributors, so if it exists, we can probably get it.”
This time of year, shoppers seeking holiday gifts and stocking stuffers can find items like lip balms, natural soaps, and unique culinary treats. As New Year’s resolutions approach, health-conscious patrons can turn to a variety of wellness products, including protein powders, cleanses, and high-quality multivitamins.
“People often start hitting the gym or just want to focus on better health in January,” Jake notes. “We’re here to help them choose the right products to support those goals.”
The community remains at the core of Gaudaur Natural Foods’ philosophy. Even when a customer leaves without making a purchase, the staff is happy to have shared information and guidance, trusting that positive word-of-mouth will continue to draw people in.
“People know we’re knowledgeable and that we care,” says Jake. “It’s almost like a community hub. We’re happy to pick our customers’ brains as much as they pick ours.”
For more information, visit Gaudaur Natural Foods at 17 Andrew St. North in Orillia, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call the team at 705-325-7143, or follow them on Facebook. Discover products that nourish your body and soul.