Arla Foods, Bridor win big at the Canadian Grand Prix awards

A hand-decorated, spreadable cream cheese ring complete with easy-to-serve black tray was a big winner at the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, taking home three trophies during the gala event held Wednesday night in Toronto.

Castello Decorated Cream Cheese Spread from Arla Foods, which comes in a variety of flavours, won in the Deli Meats and Cheeses category and also nabbed the Innovative Packaging and Innovation and Originality awards. The Ontario-based company also won in the Dairy category for its Lactose Free Creamy Cheese Spread.

Now in its 24th year, the Grand Prix awards are presented by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and recognize the best new products in food, non-food and private label categories.

"We are very proud to receive these awards. It takes our entire team to bring new cheeses to the market, so this award is recognition for that hard work and that the passion and dedication we have for bringing new cheeses to Canadians is recognized by others," Nancy Strauss, marketing manager at Arla Foods told Canadian Grocer.

Bridor's Au Pain Doré Origine Pastries—croissants, brioche, danish—won the coveted All-Canadian Product award and also won in the Bakery Fresh category. The line of pastries brings the same quality products found at a local bakery to the grocery store level, said Marie-Eve Boyer, brand manager at Bridor.

"Consumers appreciate the brand that brings them quality European inspired pastries with a North American twist," said Boyer. "They also enjoy freshly baked products every day. All of this in great looking packaging that makes the products stand out."

Launched in Canada last summer, Calbee—Whole Cuts Flavoured Potato Chips won in the Savoury Snack category. Hailing from Japan, the product was tweaked for the Canadian market, explained Francois Raymond, brand manager at Van de Water-Raymond, the Montreal-based company that sells and markets the brand in Canada.

"This award will help Calbee build the notoriety it deserves and will help reach the same notoriety its mother company, Calbee Japan, has on the Asian market," said Raymond.

Meanwhile, Kruger Products took home an award in the Paper, Plastic and Foil category for its SpongeTowel Ultra Strong Minis. " is a validation of our commitment to innovate and design products with superior understanding of Canadian consumers," said Kristina Koprivica, category director, paper towels and napkins, Kruger Products. "It is a proud moment for our product innovation and marketing teams to be recognized by the retail industry as the best in class."

The winning products were evaluated by a jury composed of people working in the grocery and consumer packaged goods industry, as well as journalists and dietitians in Montreal, in February. To become a finalist, products had to achieve a score of at least 70% in the judging.

Here is the complete list of winners:

FOOD

Bakery Fresh: Bridor, Au Pain Doré Origine Pastries

Beverages: A. Lassonde, Oasis Active

Condiments and Sauces: Max + Marcus Gourmet Products, Max + Marcus Dijon Mustard

Confectionery and Shelf Stable Desserts: Vigneault Chocolatier, Theobroma Chocolat - Organic Chocolate 80g packaging “resealable”

Dairy: Arla Foods, Arla Lactose Free Creamy Cheese Spread

Deli Meats and Cheeses: Arla Foods, Castello Decorated Cream Cheese Spread

Desserts: Fontaine Santé, Organic Sorbet

Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Food and Entrees: Soupesoup, Soupesoup

Meat, Egg and Seafood Fresh: Mito Sushi, Maki2Go

Snack (Savoury): Calbee North America, Calbee – Whole Cuts Flavoured Potato Chips

Snack (Sweet): Patience Fruit & Co by Fruit d’Or, Organic Artisan Blend

 

NON-FOOD

General Merchandise: Carlton Cards, Twirly Treasures

Health Care: InQpharm North America, bmiSmartTM I-REMOVETM Weight Loss

Household Products: Sun Products Canada, Sunlight 4 in 1 Powercore Pacs

Paper, Plastic and Foil: Kruger Products, SpongeTowel Ultra Strong Minis

Personal Care: Gebr Weyersberg, King’s Crown Ultimate Beard Box

 

PRIVATE LABEL

Bakery: Save-on-Foods, Western Family Wraps

Condiments and Sauces: Sobeys, Sensations by Compliments Spirited Mickie BBQ Sauce

Confectionery and Shelf Stable Desserts: Federated Co-operatives, Co-op Gold Buttercrunch Toffee Chocolate

Desserts: Federated Co-operatives, Co-op Gold Sorbetto

Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods and Entrees: Costco Wholesale, Kirkland Signature Pepperoni Pizza Hand Stretched Crust 4 Pack

Meat, Egg & Seafood Fresh (Refrigerated or Frozen): Walmart Canada, Your Fresh Market-Kansas City Style BBQ

Shelf Stable Prepared Foods and Entrees: Metro Brands, Irresistibles Organics Whole Grain Quinoa

Snack (Savoury): Metro Brands, Irresistibles Vegetable Chips

Snack (Sweet): Sobeys, Compliments Super Squeeze Real Fruit Purée and Vegetable Juice Snack

 

PRIVATE LABEL--NON-FOOD

General Merchandise: Canadian Tire, FRANK + Full Circle Program (14 Products, 3 Refills) Kitchen Compost Collector & Dust Whisperer Microfiber Duster

Pet Needs: PetSmart, Only Natural Pet Food

 

SPECIAL AWARDS

All Canadian: Bridor, Au Pain Doré Origine Pastries

Overall Consumer Value: Riviera, Riviera GMO-Free Set-Style Yogourt

Innovation and Originality: Arla Foods, Castello Decorated Cream Cheese Spread

Innovative Packaging: Arla Foods, Castello Decorated Cream Cheese Spread