Canadian Federation Names Indie Grocer of the Year

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers recently held its awards gala during Grocery Innovations Canada conference and tradeshow. More than 500 grocers, distributors and suppliers were on hand at the 52nd Annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards Ceremony.

The association named three National Gold Award Winners for the Top Independent Grocer of the Year, which is the most prestigious award CFIG bestows. This year’s winners were Freson Bros. (large), Stony Plain, Alta.; Longo Bros. York Mills (medium), Toronto, Ont.; and Blind Bay Village Grocer (small), Blind Bay, B.C. Stores are evaluated on several criteria, including retailing excellence and innovation, team performance, customer service, space usage, freshness and cleanliness.

The Arnold Rands Heritage Award honors privately-owned, multi-generational stores that have been in the same family for at least two generations and in the same community for at least 35 years. This year’s winner was Tofield IGA, located in Tofield, Alta., and owned by Dave Hare, Mieke Hare, Dave Hare and Metieke Hare.

The association also inducted three new members into the CFIG Hall of Fame: Oak Ridges Food Market, Richmond Hill, Ont.; Pete’s, Halifax, N.S.; and Qualicum Foods, Qualicum Beach, B.C. Inductees must have won at least three Gold Awards or received one Platinum Achievement Award and one Gold Award.

A full list of winners can be found on CFIG’s website.