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Metro a big winner at the 25th Canadian Grand Prix awards

Retail Council of Canada recognizes the country's best new products
5/31/2018

metro-irresistibles-organics-chicken

Metro was a big winner at the 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, recognized by the Retail Council of Canada during a gala event in Toronto Wednesday night.

The Montreal-based grocer was the most-awarded company of the evening, taking home a total of five trophies for products in its Irresistibles private label line: Irresistibles Apple, Maple and Cranberry Pie, Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese, Irresistibles Organics Chicken, Irresistibles Old-Fashioned Potato Chips and Irresistibles Dog Treats.

“Last year was a milestone year for Metro, with Canada’s 150th birthday and Metro’s 70th anniversary,” said Marie-France Gibson, vice-president, corporate brands, Metro Inc., in an email to Canadian Grocer. “We chose to celebrate these events all year long by rolling out new twists on Canadian classics in our Irresistibles line and we’re honoured to be recognized with five awards – the most of any retailer – for our efforts.”

The Grand Prix awards recognize the best new products in food, non-food and private label categories.

“This year’s 25th Anniversary awards showcase the best of the best new grocery products from across Canada. It is exciting that outstanding products are being introduced by established manufacturers, new suppliers, as well as smaller boutique and family-owned retailers” said Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, in a press release announcing the winners.

metro-irresistibles-dog-treats

Other multiple-category winners included Rexall, Sobeys and Walmart Canada. During the gala, RCC also recognized T&T Supermarket's Cindy and Tina Lee with the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winning Grand Prix 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 are the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award winners:

FOOD

Bridor
Au Pain Doré Origine Pastries

Heartland Food Products Group
Splenda Stevia No Calorie Sweetener

Twinings of London
Twinings Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea

AB World Foods
Blue Dragon 3 Step

Lamontagne Chocolate
Lamontagne Collection

Gay Lea Foods
Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese

Finica Foods
Lenberg Farms cheese

bonduelle

Bonduelle
Spinach Dip, Artichoke & Seasoning

Terra Beata Farms
Dried Cranberries

Bleumer
Cubes for tartar, Sushi à la maison

Fourmi Bionique
Nutbrown Grain Free Granola

Left Field Foods
Spokes Puffed Potato Snacks

Prana
Chocolate Bark

 

NON-FOOD

Baby Gourmet Foods Inc.
Baby Gourmet Shakers Nurtitional Beverage

carlton-sweet-eats

Carlton Cards
Sweet Eats

Sunstar Americas Inc. (Canada)
Gum Flossers

Namëna Biosciences
IGNITE-SX

Cascades Tissue Group
Cascades Fluff

Hain-Celestial Canada
Jason Dry Spray Deodorant

 

PRIVATE LABEL FOOD

Metro Brands, g.p.
Irresistibles Apple, Maple and Cranberry Pie
Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese
Irresistibles Organics Chicken
Irresistibles Old-Fashioned Potato Chips

sobeys-sensations-dark-almonds

Sobeys
Sensations by Compliments Cold Brew Coffee
Sensations by Compliments Milk & Dark Chocolate Almond Dates
Compliments Gluten Free Cookie Dough

Longo’s
Longo’s Signature Muffuletta

Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
Co-op Gold Perogies

Save-On-Foods
Western Family Salad Kits

Rexall
Nosh & Co. Premium Artisinal Shortbread Cookies

 

PRIVATE LABEL NON-FOOD

Walmart Canada
Parent’s Choice Diaper Pail Refills
Equate Whey Protein Powder

Canadian Tire Corporation
NOMA Advanced Constant-Lit C6 LED Christmas String Lights

Rexall
Kit 3 in 1 Sponge

Metro Brands, g.p.
Irresistibles Dog Treats

 

SPECIAL AWARDS

All Canadian: Fourmi Bionique Inc., Nutbrown Grain Free Granola

Overall Consumer Value: Bonduelle, Spinach dip, artichoke and seasoning

Innovation and Originality: High Liner Foods, Can't Mess It Up! Wild Pink Salmon

Innovative Packaging: Finica Food Specialties Ltd., Lenberg Farms

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