Cody McElrea is the founder of TruNorth Naturals, a company rooted in wild-harvested ingredients, regenerative practices, and sustainable forest management. With a background in ecological systems, renewable energy, and natural medicine, Cody leads TruNorth with a practical, hands-on vision—building ethical, traceable supply chains that prioritize environmental integrity and long-term resilience.
Cody now resides in Field, Ontario, on the beautiful shores of Lac Clair with his wife, Alyssa (his life partner), their son Eli Wolf McElrea (born September 2025), and their husky, Nakia. The family maintains deep ties to the original 190-acre off-grid homestead in Goulais River, Ontario, where TruNorth’s solar-powered main production facility continues to operate entirely on renewable energy, reflecting the company’s low-impact ethos. Cody and his family return monthly to tend the land, visit family, and stay connected to the ecosystems there.
From this foundation, Cody oversees all aspects of TruNorth’s operations—including field harvesting, logistics, compliance, production, and team development—while driving strategic growth. He has developed a data-driven sustainable harvesting model using geospatial tools, launched global private-label and bulk ingredient supply programs, and established partnerships with forest managers and regulatory bodies to advance responsible practices. He is also collaborating with leading researchers on an innovation initiative to develop revolutionary, fully vertically integrated fungi-based products in Canada—leveraging advanced R&D and manufacturing to enhance bioavailability and unlock the therapeutic potential of key compounds.
Cody’s work is deeply informed by his connection to First Nations communities through Alyssa’s Anishinaabe roots. He actively engages with chiefs, traditional medicine workers, and land protectors to honor Indigenous knowledge, stewardship traditions, and the sacred relationship with the land.
Under his leadership, TruNorth has become a globally respected supplier of wild-harvested fungi—including chaga, reishi, turkey tail and many other traditional medicines—prized for its transparency, exceptional quality, and ecological integrity. Cody’s long-term mission is to shift forest economies toward models of value creation rooted in conservation, biodiversity, and respect for traditional ways.
Outside of work, Cody remains profoundly connected to the land. He grows and forages food and medicinal plants, builds homestead infrastructure, practices Kundalini yoga and meditation, and learns continuously from the surrounding ecosystems. Most days, he incorporates saunas and cold plunges into his routine, using these practices for personal ceremonies that deepen his connection to the land and the sky.