PHOTO GALLERY: 2024 UGI Supplier Dinner and Awards celebration

United Grocers Incorporated (UGI) celebrated working together during an evening recognizing its members and supplier partners at the Toronto Congress Centre on Monday (Oct. 28).

"This evening is the celebration of the collaborative efforts of our UGI team, retailer members and our supplier partners," Mike Coleman, UGI board member and executive vice-president, Canadian Food Procurement & Marketing, Focenco/Coleman Group told attendees. "These past few years, we've all witnessed record inflation in our industry, but despite these challenges we continue to see growth and continued optimism from our members, understanding our customers have become more important than ever. As customers are demanding innovation, better value from all retailers, together we need to deliver on these expectations."

READ: How grocers are offering value in the face of inflation

Michael Forgione, UGI president, spoke of how the organization has evolved over the last 52 years from a Western-based group of independent retailers and wholesalers combining their buying power to better compete more effectively with larger grocery chains to what it has become today: a national merchandising and procurement organization owned by its members and representing 5,500 retail locations across the country.

"UGI's agile approach to supplier engagement, coupled with our clear, consistent communication and collaboration and delivering on our commitments have been key to our success over the past many years," said Forgione. "As we look ahead to the future, there will continue to be challenges and changes and opportunities, and I'm confident the UGI group of members and supplier partners will continue to grow and are well positioned for the future by working together and winning together."

A highlight of the evening was an awards presentation where UGI recognized six of its suppliers for outstanding work and service: 

Best Grocery Supplier 2024: Kruger Products

Best Fresh Supplier 2024: Maple Leaf Foods

Best Innovative Supplier 2024: Mondelez Canada

Best  Private Brand Supplier 2024: Richardson Oilseed Ltd.

Best Services & Equipment Supplier 2024: Digi Canada

Exception Retail Service Award 2024: Saputo Dairy Products Canada 

Flip through the gallery below to see photos form the evening. Photography by Roger Yip