The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) has announced the winners of its annual recognition awards.
Tom Shurrie is the recipient of the 2024 Spirit of the Independent award. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth of the entrepreneurial spirit of Canadian Grocers and have provided inspiration to Canada’s independent grocers. CFIG says the award is not an annual one, and is reserved for individuals who personify what the award stands for.
Shurrie is retiring from his role of president and CEO of CFIG. A 2024 Grocery Business Hall of Fame recipient, he started his 49-year career as a stock clerk at the age of 15. He has been a leader in the grocery industry and supported many CPG companies and Innovative Retailers in the areas of sales, operations, logistics, store set up, business development and general management at Longo’s, Kraft Foods (now Kraft Heinz), Parmalat (now Lactalis), Dairyworld Foods (now part of Saputo), Conagra and Acosta Canada.
Giancarlo Trimarchi of Vince’s Market is the recipient of the Life Member Designation in the independent grocery category. traces his grocery roots back to his grandparents who came to Canada in 1964. He learned the grocery business from the ground up, working in his father Carmen’s store as a young boy, and learning from friends like the Longo family. In partnership with his father, he’s grown Vince’s Market to five locations north of Toronto. Giancarlo was chair of the CFIG board in 2021-22 and was one of the four CFIG representatives on the Grocery Code Working Group. He represented CFIG on the special sub-committee established to help expedite resolution of some key issues. He continues to represent CFIG as the Grocery Code rolls out.
Tim Berman has received the Life Member Designation in the industry builder category. Berman, who is also a 2024 Grocery Business Hall of Fame recipient, retired in 2015 after working nearly 37 years at Kraft Heinz. He began his career at the company in 1979 as a sales rep and held progressively senior roles throughout his career. In 2005, he was named vice president of sales, and in 2015, became acting president. He served on the associate member council of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), the advisory board of AC Nielsen and the advisory board of Grocery Business. He was also a member of Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP).
Will and Ingrid Willemsen have received the inaugural Life Partners Designation. In 1982, Will Willemsen founded SUNRIPE in Sarnia, Ont. with $2,000 cash, a 1978 Ford Econoline van and a $10,000 loan from a friend. Seven years later, at a farm market conference in Dayton, Ohio, he met Ingrid Penton. They were married in 1990, and Ingrid moved to Canada. Together, they built Sunripe into three stores, one in Sarnia and two in London, Ont., Ingrid passed away in 2023 after a short battle with cancer. Her legacy continues with Will, and their children Kysa, Ryall and Mia, who are all active in the business.
All of the award recipients will be recognized at the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year awards gala on October 30 at Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) at the Toronto Congress Centre.
