CFIG names 2022 Independent Grocers of the Year
The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) has capped off its annual awards program at Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC).
After recognizing the winners of its Top 10 in Grocery and Master Merchandiser awards at the exhibition and conference on Tuesday (Oct. 25), CFIG presented its Independent Grocer of the Year awards on Wednesday (Oct. 26).
The awards program recognizes the success of outstanding independent retailers in each of the specialty, large, medium and small surface categories. Stores are evaluated for retail excellence and rated on customer service, staff, department management, store layout, merchandising, creativity, cleanliness, and community involvement.
As previously announced, Frito Lay North America’s Cara Keating and Sun Valley Supermarket’s Jim Bexis were both presented Life Member Awards at the ceremony.
Patrick and Daniel Plouffe of Métro Plouffe Farnham in Quebec were presented the Heritage Award – Arnold Rands Award, which recognizes 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.
See the full list of this year’s winners below.
National Awards
Specialty Category
Bronze Award: Management and team, Choices Markets Kitsilano, Vancouver
Silver Award: Jason Park, Galleria Supermarket, Oakville, Ont.
David C. Parsons Award: Alnoor Datoo, Dean Robev, Brad McMullen, Christy McMullen and Robert McMullen, Summerhill Market – Rosedale, Toronto
Regional Awards
Small Surface
British Columbia/Yukon: Management and team, Pepper’s Foods, Victoria, B.C.
Alberta/Sask./Manitoba/NWT/Nunavut: Jason Bartlett and team, Freson Bros., Valleyview, Alta.
Ontario: Luka Cuvalo, Matt Rogge, Bart Bowler and Brad McMullen, Summerhill Market – Forest Hill, Toronto
Quebec/Atlantic Canada: Management and team, Colemans Grocery Store, St. Anthony, N.L.
Medium Surface
British Columbia/Yukon: Management and team of County Grocer – Royal Oak, Victoria, B.C.
BC Alberta/Sask./Manitoba/NWT/Nunavut: Sally Congdon and team, Freson Bros. Fresh Market, Hinton Hill, Alta.
Ontario: Management and team, Longo’s – Walkers Line, Burlington
Quebec /Atlantic Canada: Daniel Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Waterloo, Que.
Large Surface
British Columbia/Yukon: Darcy Ginter and team, Quality Foods, Parksville, B.C.
Alberta/Sask./Manitoba/NWT/Nunavut: Kerry Waldo and team, Freson Bros. Fresh Market – Rabbit Hill, Edmonton, Alta.
Ontario: Management and team, Longo’s, Ajax
Quebec/Atlantic Canada: Daniel Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Magog, Que.
National Awards
Small Surface
Bronze Award: Management and team, Pepper’s Foods, Victoria, B.C.
Silver Award: Management and team, Colemans Grocery Store, St. Anthony, N.L.
Gold Award: Luka Cuvalo, Matt Rogge, Bart Bowler and Brad McMullen, Summerhill Market – Forest Hill, Toronto
Medium Surface
Bronze Award: Management and team, Country Grocer – Royal Oak, Victoria, B.C.
Silver Award: Daniel Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Waterloo, Que.
Gold Award: Management and team, Longo’s – Walkers Line, Burlington, Ont.
Large Surface
Bronze Award: Management and team, Longo’s, Ajax, Ont.
Silver Award: Daniel Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Magog, Que.
Gold Award: Kerry Waldo and team, Freson Bros. Fresh Market – Rabbit Hill, Edmonton, Alta.
Platinum Achievement Awards
Brad and Janey Scott and Jordyn McClelland, BJ's Country Market, Delaware, Ont.
Management and team, Country Grocer – Bowen Road, Nanaimo, B.C.
Annette Lee and team, Freson Bros. Fresh Market, Stony Plain, Alta.
Management and team, Longo's – Leaside, Toronto, Ont.
Chris Rueschmann and team, Quality Foods, Powell River, B.C.
Alex Karatsoreas, Brad McMullen, Christy McMullen and Robert McMullen, Summerhill Market – Sherwood, Toronto
