2026 Impact Awards winners: Community

COKE CANADA BOTTLING 

Because kindness is contagious, Coke Canada Bottling launched its Canada’s Kindest Community program in 2024— and building on the momentum of its inaugural year, the grand prize was doubled to $100,000 for 2025. “A highlight of the 2025 campaign was seeing our customers help turn Canada’s Kindest Community into a national shopper engagement platform, reaching more than 5,000 stores with more than 10,000 displays, inspiring participation from more than 800 communities and creating lasting pride for winning communities like Peachland, B.C.,” says Tony Chow, president, Coke Canada Bottling. Now an annual initiative, the campaign begins on World Kindness Day (Nov. 13) and aims to recognize and reward one Canadian community that stands out above the rest as Canada’s kindest. It’s integrated into the long-standing tradition of the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, a cross-country tour of festively decorated Coca-Cola trucks, with Canadians able to nominate their communities at Caravan stops and participating retailers across the country. The winning community for 2025 was Peachland, B.C., with the $100,000 donation going to the Central Okanagan Foundation. “Canada’s Kindest Community was inspired by a simple local tradition: a Coke Canada Bottling employee decorating a Coca-Cola truck to spread holiday cheer,” says Chow. “It grew into a national program that celebrates kindness, brings communities together and helps our customers create meaningful connections in the neighbourhoods they serve.” 

CONAGRA BRANDS CANADA 

As part of an ongoing commitment to giving back, Conagra Brands Canada holds United for Change, an annual campaign that encourages employees to support charitable organizations. In the past year, employees donated $44,000 to United Way’s Community Campaign. The company also partnered with several community organizations during the year. In April, employees volunteered at the Seva Food Bank in Mississauga, Ont., while staff at the Dresden, Ont. plant teamed up with Knights of Columbus to sort and organize donated food; and Conagra and its employees also contributed more than $19,000 to support Hockey Helps the Homeless, a not-forprofit that holds pro-am and collegiate hockey tournaments. Employees also participated in events throughout the year, including cooking a special lunch for Mother’s Day at the Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, an organization that supports women and their dependents who are survivors of violence and poverty. “Our employees care deeply about the communities where they live and work, and they continually turn that commitment into action through volunteering, charitable giving and hands-on community support,” says Mirela Gedja, HR manager at Conagra Brands Canada. “We are proud of the lasting impact they create, and grateful to our non-profit partners who help make that impact possible.” 

EQUIFRUIT 

At Equifruit, every banana sold helps drive positive change. For each 40-pound case sold, the company contributes a US$1 Fairtrade Premium—paid in addition to the Fairtrade Minimum Price—that banana farmers and workers can invest in projects chosen by their communities. These projects range from education and medical care to climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. In 2025, Equifruit surpassed US$5.5 million in Fairtrade Premium contributions, a figure that has since grown to US$5.8 million. “Because the Fairtrade Premium is tied to volume, hitting this milestone comes down to selling more Fairtrade bananas here in North America,” says Kim Chackal, the company’s vice-president of sales and marketing and co-owner. “That’s been a core part of our mission since Equifruit started 20 years ago, because growth is how we deliver impact for banana farmers and workers.” That growth is driven by expanding retail partnerships, including a significant expansion with Costco Wholesale Canada over the past four years and a new partnership with Pattison Food Group that has broadened Equifruit’s reach across Western Canada. “Our goal is to change the banana industry,” says Chackal. 

FRESON BROS. 

“Heart health is vital to the well-being of every family in the communities we serve, whether in a rural town or a major city like Edmonton,” says Kerry Waldo, vice-president, retail, Freson Bros., explaining the motivation behind the Alberta grocery retailer’s annual Heart Month sponsorship. For the fourth consecutive year, Freson Bros. partnered with the Edmonton-based University Hospital Foundation to support the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, which provides advanced cardiac care for patients across the province. Throughout February, customers at the independent retailer’s 16 stores were invited to donate $1 at the till as part of the “Wish for the Heart” campaign, writing messages of hope or tributes to loved ones on paper hearts that filled store walls with visible reminders of communities coming together for a common cause. “It was something our entire team and customer base built together,” explains Waldo. “When customers saw local store walls covered in personal messages, they realized their $1 donation was part of a powerful provincial effort.” The campaign reflects the grocer’s long-standing commitment to caring for its neighbours and supporting access to world-class cardiac care. “We feel obligated to be a leader in the community and we don’t expect anything back,” says Waldo. If we can support the level of cardiac care that people receive, then I think we’ve completed that part of our mission.” 

GENERAL MILLS CANADA 

General Mills Canada’s “G Stands for Good” initiative provides an accessible framework for employees to support local communities through volunteering, fundraising and donations. In 2025, the effort focused on food insecurity and underserved communities, supported by its impressive national employee volunteer rate of more than 85%. In that year alone, the company’s annual United Way campaign raised more than $106,000, with more than 100 employees also contributing 777 volunteer hours to food banks, shelters, seniors’ programs and The Salvation Army. During Global Volunteer Week in April, employees cleaned parks in Mississauga, Ont. and Montreal, assembled 80 care kits for seniors at a retirement home and collected household goods and clothing for a women’s shelter. Employees also donated more than 200 pounds of food to Food Banks Mississauga for World Food Day and contributed barrels of toys to The Salvation Army holiday drive. “From our Breakfast Club of Canada partnership to our Annual Giving Campaign, Hometown Grants and volunteer events throughout the year, our employees consistently show up for our communities,” says Vince Mendes de Franca, president, General Mills Canada. “I’m incredibly proud of their generosity, their commitment and the difference they make every day.” 

KEURIG DR PEPPER CANADA 

Since 2022, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) Canada has built a focused community investment strategy centred on one of the country’s most pressing challenges: food insecurity. “We chose food insecurity because it affects every region of the country and touches families, seniors, students and working Canadians alike,” says Coralie-Jade Fournier, head of external communications and corporate philanthropy. At the heart of the program is a national partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, through which KDP Canada and its employees donated more than $732,000 over three years—46% above its original commitment. The partnership has supported initiatives ranging from Meals on Wheels and Mobile Food Banks to emergency disaster relief efforts and community health initiatives across Canada. The company’s impact has also been amplified through a national cause marketing campaign with Walmart Canada, which generated an additional $100,000 in support of the Canadian Red Cross’s food security initiatives. Beyond this flagship partnership, KDP Canada supports a growing network of local organizations committed to fighting hunger at every level of society. The program’s success has been fuelled by KDP Canada employees: in 2024 alone, they contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours while supporting more than 23 community organizations and food security initiatives across the country. “When an entire organization rallies behind a shared purpose, meaningful impact follows,” says Fournier. 

KRUGER PRODUCTS 

In its sixth year, the Kruger Big Assist continues to score for young hockey players by helping families and communities overcome the financial barriers that can keep children off the ice. Five minor hockey associations across Canada each received $25,000 to support more accessible and inclusive programming this year. Chapleau Minor Hockey Association in Northern Ontario was named the grand prize winner following a national online vote. It received an additional $75,000, bringing its total funding to $100,000. “This year, we introduced our ‘Parent Assist’ platform, inspired by the parents who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support young athletes, and aligned the program with the excitement of the 2026 Winter Games,” says Susan Irving, chief marketing officer at Kruger Products. “Through a new sponsorship of CBC’s broadcast of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the launch of our Big Assist content series featuring Canadian hockey icons, and the addition of Matthew Schaefer as a program ambassador, we expanded the program’s reach and impact in meaningful ways.” Since launching in 2020, the Kruger Big Assist has donated more than $1 million to more than 55 hockey associations. 

KRUGER PRODUCTS 

In its 22nd year, the Cashmere Collection once again brought Canadians together through fashion, creativity and compassion in support of breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment. The 2025 campaign introduced Tapestry of the North, a celebration of the regions, cultures and perspectives that connect Canadians. Sixteen designers from across the nation created couture garments made entirely from Cashmere bathroom tissue, each inspired by a personal connection to the cause. “We expanded the campaign’s reach through new partnerships and brought the Cashmere Collection to Montreal, celebrating local designers and connecting with a new audience in Quebec, where Cashmere is proudly made,” says Susan Irving, chief marketing officer at Kruger Products. “We also delivered our largest runway show to date. Most importantly, Canadians responded in a remarkable way, helping us achieve the highest level of consumer engagement and voting participation in the program’s history.” The campaign culminated in Canadians casting a record 226,000 votes for their favourite designs, with Cashmere donating $1 per vote, up to $100,000. Limited-edition pink packages raised further funds, building on more than $5.5 million raised since 2004.

LACTALIS CANADA 

Over the last five years, Lactalis Canada’s P’tit Québec cheese brand has invested more than $290,000 to deliver targeted, community-led improvements to municipalities across Quebec as part of its P’tits Projets pas si P’tits program. In 2025, P’tit Québec delivered its most impactful program to date, investing more than $70,000 to transform a deteriorating church basement in Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf into a fully equipped collective kitchen and community space. The space includes a commercial-grade kitchen, renovated dining hall and infrastructure to support cooking workshops, shared meals and future initiatives, supported by an additional $10,000 donation. P’tit Québec team members worked with residents and municipal representatives, including the mayor, to deliver the project. The initiative is addressing food insecurity by enabling donated food to be transformed into nutritious, homecooked meals, while creating a lasting hub for connection, skills-sharing and intergenerational engagement. “Communities are built through the moments people share together. Every edition of P’tits Projets pas si P’tits begins by listening to what a community needs most, and we’re honoured to help create a space that will belong to residents for generations,” says Melanie Isaac-Taitt, senior director marketing, cheese and tablespreads at Lactalis Canada. 

PEPSICO CANADA 

The PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Awards and the PepsiCo Canada Foundation employee-nominated grants program “are rooted in a simple belief: our employees know their communities best,” says Cara Keating, CEO, PepsiCo Canada. “By giving more than 12,000 PepsiCo employees across Canada a voice in where support goes, PepsiCo Canada and the PepsiCo Foundation are helping direct resources to organizations creating impact where our employees live and work.” Over the past year, approximately $343,000 has been directed to employee -nominated Canadian charities through the two programs. The PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Awards provide grants to employee-nominated non-profits, while the PepsiCo Canada Foundation employee-nominated grants program supports charities where employees are already actively volunteering. In 2026 alone, 23 Canadian non-profits each received US$10,000 through the Community Impact Awards, while four organizations received $5,000 employee-nominated grants. A new volunteer component also saw employees organize 15 community events involving 150 volunteers, extending the programs’ impact beyond financial support. “The strength of these programs is their proximity,” says Keating. “Our employees are closest to the need, and through these initiatives, they’re part of the solution.”

RABBA FINE FOODS 

For nearly 60 years, Rabba Fine Foods has been a neighbourhood fixture across the Greater Toronto Area. Through its Rabba Roots Community Giving Program, the company continues to strengthen that role by supporting food security, healthcare and community organizations year-round. Recent initiatives include rescuing and redistributing up to 25,000 pounds of food annually through Second Harvest, expanding support for Food Banks Mississauga and marking the 10th anniversary of its Super Bowl event at Good Shepherd Ministries with a community feast and a new 75-inch television and sound system—adding to the TVs and other equipment Rabba has already donated to the shelter. The company also made 1.3 acres of land available for five years to help facilitate construction of the new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital, further demonstrating its long-term commitment to the community, while continuing to support Trillium Health Partners Foundation and directing proceeds from the annual Smile Cookie campaign at its 15 Tim Hortons restaurants to SickKids. “The generosity of other organizations at one point helped us survive,” says president Rick Rabba, referring to his family’s early years in Canada. “My father reminds me where we came from ... any way I can give back to people who need support has to be at the core of what we do.” 

STONG’S MARKET 

Whether it’s helping children thrive through education and sports, supporting essential local charities or championing B.C. producers, giving back has been part of Stong’s Market’s DNA since 1931, says marketing director Tamsin Carling. Throughout the year, Stong’s selects worthwhile charities to support through checkout fundraising campaigns. During the Thanksgiving long weekend last October alone, Stong’s raised $22,560 for Canuck Place, a children’s hospice that provides care at no cost to families. In the past 12 months, Stong’s donated more than $6,900 in gift cards to Harvest Project, which supports vulnerable North Shore residents by offering client coaching, a rent bank, grocery support and assistance for workforce re-entry. Stong’s has also donated more than $5,000 in product and monetary donations to Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast, an annual event in which law enforcement and emergency services personnel cycle 800 kilometres in eight days along the B.C. coast to fundraise for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society. “Community support is at the heart of everything we do,” Carling explains. “From championing local charities to uplifting children’s programs and B.C. producers, our commitment to giving back reflects the values Stong’s Market was built on.” 

THE NORTH WEST COMPANY 

The Healthy Horizons Foundation, the charitable arm of The North West Company (Northern/NorthMart), expanded its Northy Club After School Program in the last year, bringing culturally relevant youth programming to two additional northern communities. Building on a successful pilot in St. Theresa Point, Man., new clubs opened in La Loche, Sask., and Puvirnituq, Que. Together, the three clubs now welcome nearly 200 elementary and middle school students in an average week. Developed with local leaders, each club reflects its community’s priorities and culture. Young people take part in sports, indoor and outdoor activities and workshops supporting mental well-being, confidence, leadership and anti-bullying, while receiving healthy snacks from North West Company stores. “What makes all of our team members most proud is seeing the engagement and enthusiasm from youth, families and communities, says Jim Caldwell, president, Canadian retail. “It shows us that the Northy Club is more than just an after-school program—it’s an opportunity for youth to connect, learn and build lifelong healthy habits right where they feel most comfortable and supported, in their own communities.” 

UNFI CANADA 

Giving back to the communities it serves has long been a priority for UNFI Canada. So, to mark the company’s 50th anniversary this year, it only made sense that giving back was a key part of the celebration. Through UNFI Canada’s 50 for 50 campaign, the company donated $50,000 to The Grocery Foundation. “The 50 for 50 campaign was inspired by our U.S. team, who launched an initiative to award 50 grants—one in each state—in celebration of UNFI’s 50th year,” says Stacey Kravitz, president, UNFI Canada. “In Canada, we adapted that concept to give back $50,000 to one grantee to honour this important milestone in a way that reflects our local impact and our belief that our role goes beyond the shelf.” With its donation to The Grocery Foundation, UNFI Canada is helping strengthen programs that improve access to nutritious food for children and families while reinforcing its commitment to creating healthier communities. “Supporting The Grocery Foundation aligns closely with our Better for All pillars and the UNFI Foundation’s priority of nourishing communities,” says Kravitz. “As part of the food system, we’re committed to helping improve access to nutritious food, and this partnership allows us to make a meaningful, local impact for children and families who need it most.” 

VINCE’S MARKET 

This year is the 10th anniversary of Vince’s Community Support, the umbrella initiative through which Vince’s Market supports local charities, youth sports, food security programs, shelters and more. “Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Vince’s Community Support is an important milestone for our team. Over the past decade, Vince’s Market has contributed more than $400,000 to charities and community organizations across the Durham Region, York Region and Simcoe County,” says Maria Ciarlandini, manager of culture, people and community support. “Supporting the communities we serve has always been part of who we are, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve been able to make together.” A key part of that impact is the Vince’s Community Product Initiative, which directs 15% of sales from designated products to a local non-profit each year. This year’s recipient is Easter Seals Ontario, and the proceeds will help raise funds and awareness for its programs, supports and accessible summer camp opportunities. Over the past eight years, the Community Product Initiative has contributed more than $200,000 to community organizations. 

Winners of the 2026 Impact Awards are featured in Canadian Grocer’s August issue.