Paying Tribute to Canada’s Best New Grocery Products Print
Canadian Grand Prix winners announced at Retail Council of Canada gala
Metro Brands, G.P. took home a whopping five awards and Laiterie Chalifoux Inc. was crème de la crème at tonight’s Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, a highlight of Retail Council of Canada’s STORE 2016 conference in Toronto.
Metro Brands G.P. was the most awarded company in this year’s competition. It dominated in Private Label Food with its Irresistibles line, sweeping five categories: Bakery Fresh (Par-Baked) (Artisan deep dish pie, 750g), Beverages (Life-Smart Smoothie), Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts (Brownie in the Centre), Deli Meats & Cheeses (Dry Sausage) and Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees (Potato Gratin).
Founded in 1920 in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, family-owned Laiterie Chalifoux took home three awards for its Riviera Petit Pot Set-Style Yogurt. It was the category winner in Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese & Spreadables) and won a Special Award for Innovative Packaging. It capped off its trophy haul with the coveted All-Canadian Award, which is presented to the product with the highest average score among all products developed, created and manufactured in Canada.
Joining Metro Brands G.P. and Laiterie Chalifoux in the winners’ circle were two other Special Award recipients. Kruger Products LP won the Consumer Acceptance Award for its SpongeTowels Ultra Strong paper towel also winning the Paper, Plastic & Foil category. Emmi Canada was given the Innovation and Originality Award for its namesake Emmi Fondü All-In-One, in addition to winning the Deli Meats & Cheeses category.
“Winning a Canadian Grand Prix award is a milestone achievement that represents Canada’s very best in product innovation and consumer ingenuity,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada. “Standing out on crowded store shelves is no easy task. It requires a product that ticks off all the boxes, including superior production, design, marketing, sales and distribution. Most importantly, a truly award-winning product must meet the needs – and pocketbooks – of today’s demanding shopper.”
Chef and jury chair Marcus Von Albrecht, President of Mava Foods, oversaw a judging panel comprised of consumers, food journalists, packaging designers and marketing executives who considered 93 eligible products. Of these, 34 went on to win awards.
Other multiple-category winners this year included:
• Canadian Tire Retail – General Merchandise, Household Products
• Federated Co-operatives Limited – Condiments & Sauces, Snack (Sweet)
• S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. – General Merchandise, Household Products
To view the complete list of this year’s winners, visit: www.rccgrandprix.ca/content/winners
Also taking place at tonight’s gala was the inaugural presentation of the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Higgins Jr. and Michael Higgins, the Co-CEOs of Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee. The award, which was previously announced, was given to the brothers in honour of their outstanding and long-standing service and commitment to the Canadian grocery industry and to the broader community.
About the Canadian Grand Prix New Products Awards
Now in its 23rd year, the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards is an annual program that celebrates new products in food, non-food and private label categories. The program provides a unique opportunity for entrants to showcase new products to a jury of industry experts and to be recognized by their peers.
The program is open to manufacturers, suppliers and distributors. To be eligible, a product must have been introduced to the market between January 1 and December 31, 2015. Products are judged on presentation and packaging; product attributes; innovation and originality; and overall value to the consumer.
This year’s awards sponsors were CHEP Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Interac and TC Transcontinental Printing.
