More than 500 people celebrated the achievements of independent grocers at the 55th Annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards, held in Toronto during the Grocery Innovations Canada 2017 conference and trade show.
The Canadian Federal of Independent Grocers (CFIG) awards program recognizes the success of independent grocers across the country.
Here are the winners of this year’s awards.
The National Gold Award winners for the Top Independent Grocer of the Year are:
- Save-On-Foods Heritage, Calgary, Alta. (Large Surface)
- Stong’s Market – Northwoods, North Vancouver, B.C. (Medium Surface)
- Oak Ridges Food Market, Richmond Hill, Ont. (Small Surface)
- Galleria Supermarket – York Mills, Toronto, Ont. (The David C. Parsons Award of Excellence in Specialty Food Retailing)
The Arnold Rands Heritage Award:
Dave Powell, Powell’s Supermarket Ltd., Bay Roberts, NL was recongized with the prestigious Arnold Rands Heritage Award for best multi-generational, privately owned store that has, for at least 35 years, been in the same family, and in the same community for at least two generations.
CFIG also recognized key supporters with two Life Member Awards and a rarely given Spirit of the Independent Award.
- LIFE TIME MEMBER AWARD: Blair Ruelens is an industry builder and has been a supporter of CFIG for 25 years. Blair’s career included senior positions at P&G, General Mills, Cadbury and PepsiCo.
- LIFE TIME AWARD: Francois Bouchard of The Country Grocer is a well-respected independent grocer who, as a student, was the first recipient of the CFIG National Scholarship. Bouchard has been a CFIG supporter for more than 30 years.
- SPIRIT OF THE INDEPENDENT AWARD: Ward Hanlon has spent his entire career in the grocery industry and was a 30-year veteran of Robin Hood Multifoods before joining CFIG in 2005 as vice president industry relations.
