2026 CANADIAN INDEPENDENT GROCER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

TORONTO—October 28, 2026 The Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards Ceremony was presented tonight in Toronto, in front of a gala audience of over 500 leading grocers, suppliers, and distributors at Grocery Innovations Canada, Canada’s premier grocery conference and trade show.

Each year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) Awards Program recognizes the success of outstanding independent retailers and offers insights into innovations that are changing and enhancing the way retailers compete.

HERITAGE AWARD – Arnold Rands Award

For the best multigenerational grocery store that is privately owned and has been in the same family for at least two generations and in the same community for a minimum of 35 years.

Paul Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market Hinton Hill, Hinton, AB

NATIONAL AWARDS – GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE in Specialty Category

Gold, silver and bronze awards to the top-scoring entries in specialty food retailing.

SPECIALTY Category – David C. Parsons Award

• GOLD – David La Mantia, La Mantia’s Country Market Fresh, Lindsay, ON
• SILVER – Eddie Kim, PRICESMART FOODS Lougheed, Burnaby, BC
• BRONZE – Stephanie Adams, Belbin’s Market, St. John’s, NL

REGIONAL AWARDS – SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE

Top-scoring stores from the four Canadian regions in the small, medium and large size categories.

REGIONAL SMALL Surface Category

• British Columbia/Yukon: Sana & Jerry Marsh, Whistler’s Creekside Market, Whistler, BC
• Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Michael Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Valleyview, Valleyview, AB
• Ontario: John, Mary, Joey, Vincent, Deanna Carnevale, Pape Market Foodland, Toronto, ON
• Québec/Atlantic Canada: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Bedford, Québec

REGIONAL MEDIUM Surface Category

• British Columbia/Yukon: Charlie Lee, Fresh St. Market Walnut Grove, Langley, BC
• Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Lori Pollon & Ryan Hannay, Heritage Co-op Minnedosa, Minnedosa, MB
• Ontario: Mathew Danambassis, Longo’s Liberty Village, Toronto, ON
• Québec /Atlantic Canada: Kim Martet Walsh, Colemans – Mount Pearl, Mount Pearl, NL

REGIONAL LARGE Surface Category

• British Columbia/Yukon: Cory Butler & Team Members, Save-On-Foods Pine Centre, Prince George, BC
• Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Paul Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market Hinton Hill, Hinton, AB
• Ontario: Angela Masellis & Longo’s Leaside Team, Longo’s Leaside, Toronto, ON
• Québec/Atlantic Canada: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Metro Plouffe Bromont, Bromont, QC

NATIONAL AWARDS – GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE IN SMALL/MEDIUM/LARGE

Bronze, silver and gold awards are presented to the top scoring stores in the small, medium and large size categories.

SMALL Surface Category

• GOLD – John, Mary, Joey, Vincent, Deanna Carnevale, Pape Market Foodland, Toronto, ON
• SILVER – Sana & Jerry Marsh, Whistler’s Creekside Market, Whistler, BC
• BRONZE – Michael Lovsin and Team, Freson Bros. Valleyview, Valleyview, BC

MEDIUM Surface Category

• GOLD – Charlie Lee & Team, Fresh St. Market Walnut Grove, Langley, BC
• SILVER – Mathew Danambassis & Longo’s Liberty Village Team, Longo’s Liberty Village, Toronto, ON
• BRONZE – Lori Pollon & Ryan Hannay, Heritage Co-op Minnedosa, MB

LARGE Surface Category

• GOLD – Angela Masellis & Longo’s Leaside Team, Longo’s Leaside, Toronto, ON
• SILVER – Cory Butler & Team, Save-On-Foods Pine Centre, Prince George, BC
• BRONZE – Paul Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market Hinton Hill, Hinton, AB

Platinum Achievement Award

PLATINUM-entry that has won ten consecutive Awards of Merit (Plaque)

• Arden Fowler & Team, Stong’s Market Northwoods, North Vancouver, BC
• Nesters Kelowna Airport Team, Nesters Market Kelowna Airport, Kelowna, BC
• Henry Simoes & The Longo’s Mount Pleasant Team, Longo’s Mount Pleasant, Brampton, ON
• Andrew Chambers & The Longo’s Ancaster Team, Longo’s Ancaster, Ancaster, ON

Hall Of Fame

Stores that have consistently demonstrated excellence are recognized. To be eligible, a store must have won at least three Gold Awards or have received a Platinum Achievement Award and two Gold Awards.

John, Mary, Joey, Vincent, Deanna Carnevale, Pape Market Foodland, Toronto, Ontario

2026 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS

The CFIG National Scholarship Program was created to support and celebrate the next generation of leaders within Canada’s independent grocery sector. Each year, the program recognizes outstanding high school and post-secondary students who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, and a passion for innovation in independent retail.

NATIONAL WINNER – High school $15,000 Scholarship

Luke Coleman, Coleman Food Centre, Corner Brook, NL

REGIONAL WINNERS – $3250 Scholarship

• Calyssa Eng, Young’s Market, Winnipeg, MB (High school)
• Daniel Lal, Saputo, Guelph, ON (High school)
• Lauren Kim, Save-On-Foods Pembina, Winnipeg, MB (High school)
• Daliah Falcioni, General Mills, Mississauga, ON (University)

About the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards

The Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year is the most prestigious award CFIG can bestow. Each year, independent grocery stores from coast-to-coast in Canada compete for the coveted title in each of the specialty, large, medium and small surface categories. Each of the competing stores is visited personally by a highly respected retail management expert, who evaluates competing stores based on retail excellence and innovation, store team performance, customer service, space utilization, freshness and cleanliness. The gala awards evening takes place annually at Grocery Innovations Canada, the premier grocery event in the country.

Photos available upon request.