CFIG announces new Life Members
The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) has recognized two individuals with Life Member Awards.
Saputo’s Peter Bowman has been recognized in the Industry Builder category and Hammy’s (AG Foods) Jim Hamilton in the Independent Grocer category.
Born in Winnipeg, Bowman started his career with Kruger in Vancouver. He lived there for three years before working another seven years across various locations in Ontario.
Bowman later returned to Vancouver with Dairyworld, which was acquired by Saputo in 2001.
He continued to rise through the ranks at Saputo, eventually becoming senior vice president of retail and food service sales.
The executive began his relationship with CFIG in the ‘90s when he was in Ontario. He continues to participate today as an AMC Board Member.
Hamilton, meanwhile, is a third-generation grocer. His grandfather bought his first stores in 1946, and his parents signed the first three IGA franchises in Western Canada in 1957.
But by 1982, the family had just one store in Ponoka, Alberta—Hammy’s—and Hamilton took over as CEO.
Thanks to new initiatives, sales surged, and the store relocated to a larger space. However, in 1999, the building burned to the ground. In just 18 months, a new Hammy’s was erected. The location was a founding CFIG member store.
In 2004, Hamilton joined the CFIG board, where he served for six years as an IRGA (an organization of Sobeys & IGAs in Alberta) representative.
He took over as IRGA president in 2015 and remained in the role until 2022, when he left IGA for AG Foods. That same year, he returned to the CFIG board, where he currently serves as secretary.
Bowman and Hamilton will be officially recognized at the Grocery & Specialty Foods dinner gala on Monday (April 14) in Vancouver.
