Western Grocer Serving the industry since 1916
Paying Tribute to Canada’s Best New Grocery Products
Canadian Grand Prix winners announced at Retail Council of Canada gala
TORONTO, June 1, 2016 – 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.
To view the complete list of this year’s winners, visit: www.rccgrandprix.ca/winners
Download and read complete announcement here
Retail Council of Canada
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RetailCouncil.org
