TORONTO – Metro Brands, g.p. was the most awarded company at this year's 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix Awards Gala. Metro picked up an impressive total of fiveawards for different products in their Irresistibles line.
Retail Council of Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards is a rigorous, annual competition of the best new grocery products. Becoming a Canadian Grand Prix winner is often a game changer because of the direct and extensive exposure to key retailers, buyers and new consumers these products receive.
Joining Metro in the winners' circle were three other Special Award recipients. Fourmi BioniqueInc. won the coveted All-Canadian trophy for their Nutbrown Grain Free Granola, Bonduelle won the Overall Consumer Value award for their Spinach Dip Artichoke and Seasoning, and Finica Food Specialisties Ltd who won the Packaging Award for Lenberg Farms.
"This year's 25th Anniversary awards showcase the best of the best new grocery products from across Canada. It is exciting that outstanding products are being introduced by established manufacturers, new suppliers, as well as smaller boutique and family-owned retailers," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada.
Chef and chief jury chair Marcus Von Albrecht oversaw the judging panel. From 119 finalists who scored at least 70% on the rigorous product evaluation measures that focused exclusively on quality and innovation, only 40 received the prestigious recognition as Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award winners.
Other multiple-category winners included Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd, Sobeys Inc, and Walmart Canada.
Also awarded at the Gala were T&T Supermarkets' Cindy and Tina Lee who received RCC's 2018 Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their tremendous contributions to the grocery industry in Canada.
To view the complete list of this year's winners, visit: www.rccgrandprix.ca
Sponsors of this year's Canadian Grand Prix awards include: Gold level – PaduloX, Canada Post, Reebee; Bronze level – TC Transcontinental.
About the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards:
Now in its 25th year, the Canadian Grand Prix New Products 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, 2017. Products are judged on presentation and packaging, product attributes, innovation and originality and, overall value to the consumer.
List of 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award Winners by Category:
FOOD/ PRODUITS ALIMENTAIRES
Fresh (par- baked)
BRIDOR
Au Pain Doré Origine Danish
Baking Needs & Dried Bakery
HEARTLAND FOOD PRODUCTS GROUP
SPLENDA® Stevia No Calorie Sweetener
Beverages
TWININGS® OF LONDON
Twinings® Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea
Condiments & Sauces
AB WORLD FOODS
Blue Dragon 3 Step
Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts
LAMONTAGNE CHOCOLATE INC.
Lamontagne Collection
Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese & Spreadables)
GAY LEA FOODS CO-OPERATIVE
Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese
Deli Meats and Cheeses
FINICA FOOD SPECIALTIES LTD
Lenberg Farms
Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees
BONDUELLE
Spinach dip, artichoke and seasoning
Fruits, Vegetables and Produce (Fresh, Refrigerated Or Frozen)
TERRA BEATA FARMS LTD.
40% Less Sugar Whole Dried Cranberrries
Meat, Egg & Seafood Fresh (Refrigerated or Frozen)
BLEUMER
Cubes for tartar Sushi à la maison
Shelf Stable Prepared Foods & Entrees
FOURMI BIONIQUE INC.
Nutbrown Grain Free Granola
Snack (Savoury)
LEFT FIELD FOODS
SPOKES Puffed Potato Snacks
Snack (Sweet)
PRANA
Chocolate Bark
NON-FOOD
Baby Care
BABY GOURMET FOODS INC.
Baby Gourmet-Shakers Nutritional Beverage
General Merchandise
CARLTON CARDS
Sweet Eats
Health Care – Oral Hygiene
SUNSTAR AMERICAS INC. (CANADA)
GUM® Flossers
Health Care – OTC (Over the Counter)
NAMËNA BIOSCIENCES
IGNITE-SX
Paper, Plastic & Foil
CASCADES TISSUE GROUP
Cascades FluffTM
Personal Care
HAIN-CELESTIAL CANADA, ULC.
Jason® Dry Spray Deodorant
PRIVATE LABEL – FOOD
Bakery Fresh (par- baked)
METRO BRANDS, G.P
Irresistibles Apple, Maple and Cranberry Pie
Baking Needs & Dried Bakery
SOBEYS INC.
Compliments Naturally Simple Seed and Ancient Grain Blend
Beverages
SOBEYS INC.
Sensations by Compliments Cold Brew Coffee
Condiments & Sauces
LONGO BROTHERS FRUIT MARKETS INC.
Longo's Signature Muffuletta
Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts
SOBEYS INC.
Sensations by Compliments Milk & Dark Chocolate Almond Dates
Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese & Spreadables)
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese
Desserts (fresh, refrigerated or frozen)
SOBEYS INC.
Compliments Gluten Free Cookie Dough
Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees
FEDERATED CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED
CO-OP® GOLD Perogies
Fruit, Vegetable & Produce (Fresh, Refrigerated or Frozen)
SAVE-ON-FOODS
Western Family Salad Kits
Meat, Egg & Seafood (Fresh, Refrigerated or Frozen)
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Organics Grain Fed Chicken
Snack (Savoury)
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Old-Fashioned Potato Chips
Snack (Sweet)
REXALL PHARMACY GROUP LTD
Nosh & Co. Premium Artisanal Shortbread Cookies
PRIVATE LABEL – NON-FOOD
Baby Care
WALMART CANADA
Parent's Choice Diaper Pail Refills
General Merchandise
CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION
NOMA Advanced Constant-Lit C6 LED Christmas String Lights
Health Care – OTC (Over the Counter)
WALMART CANADA
Equate Whey Protein Powder
Personal Care
REXALL PHARMACY GROUP LTD
Kit 3-in-1 Sponge
Pet Needs
METRO BRANDS, G.P.
Irresistibles Apple & Chicken Dog Treats
SPECIAL AWARDS
All Canadian
FOURMI BIONIQUE INC.
Nutbrown Grain Free Granola
Overall Consumer Value
BONDUELLE
Spinach dip, artichoke and seasoning
Innovation and Originality
HIGH LINER FOODS
Can't Mess It Up! Wild Pink Salmon
Innovative Packaging
FINICA FOOD SPECIALTIES LTD
Lenberg Farms
About Retail Council of Canada:
Retail is Canada's largest employer with 2.1 million Canadians working in our industry. The sector annually generates over $76 billion in wages and employee benefits. Core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) were $369 billion in 2017. Retail Council of Canada (RCC) members represent more than two thirds of retail sales in the country. RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association that represents small, medium and large retail businesses in every community across the country. As the Voice of Retail™ in Canada, we proudly represent more than 45,000 storefronts in all retail formats, including department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers and online merchants. RetailCouncil.org
Source: Retail Council of Canada