PHOTO GALLERY: CFIG names 2023 Independent Grocer of the Year Award winners

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) presented its 61st annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards Wednesday (Oct. 25).

More than 500 grocers, suppliers and distributors convened at the awards gala, held during the Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) exhibition and conference.

Summerhill Market’s Christy McMullen and Maple Leaf Foods’ Curtis Frank were also presented CFIG 2023 Life Member Awards at the gala, while Pattison Food Group's Darrel Jones received the the 2023 Spirit of the Independent Award.

CFIG presented its Top Ten in Grocery Awards and Master Merchandiser Awards at GIC on Tuesday, which you can see here.

See the 2023 Independent Grocer of the Year Award winners below.

Heritage Award – Arnold Rands Award

For 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.

Carmen and Giancarlo Trimarchi, Vince’s Market, Sharon, Ont.

National Awards – Gold, Silver, Bronze in Specialty Category

Gold, silver and bronze awards to the top-scoring entries in specialty food retailing.

Bronze Award: Longo’s Brookfield, Toronto
Silver Award: Joseph Kim and Shane Bae, Galleria Supermarket, Oakville, Ont.
David C. Parsons Award: Longo’s Imperial Plaza, Toronto

Regional Awards – Small, Medium, Large

Top-scoring stores from the four Canadian regions in the small, medium and large size categories.

Regional Small Surface Category

British Columbia/Yukon: Pepper’s Foods, Victoria, B.C.

Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Northwest Territories/Nunavut: Don Boos and team, Freson Bros., Hanna, Alta.

Ontario: Rebecca Perna and team, Denninger’s, Burlington, Ont. 

Quebec/Atlantic Canada: Melanie Powell and team, Colemans St. Anthony, N.L.

Regional Medium Surface Category

British Columbia/Yukon: Country Grocer Royal Oak, Victoria, B.C.

Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Northwest Territories/Nunavut: Austin Jessome and team, Freson Bros., Barrhead, Alta.

Ontario: Joseph Kim and Derek Jun, Galleria Supermarket, Toronto

Quebec/Atlantic Canada: Métro Plouffe de Farnham, Alimentation D.P. Plouffe inc., Farnham, Que.

Regional Large Surface Category

British Columbia/Yukon: Save-On-Foods, Lynn Valley, Vancouver

Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Northwest Territories/Nunavut: Ryan Durnie and team, Freson Bros. Fresh Market, Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.

Ontario: Longo’s Stouffville

Quebec/Atlantic Canada: Kay LeRiche, Tina Macdonald and Chris Williamson, Colemans on Newfoundland Drive, St. John's, N.L.

National Awards - Gold, Silver, Bronze in Small, Medium, Large

Small Surface Category

Bronze: Melanie Powell and team, Colemans St. Anthony, N.L.
Silver: Pepper’s Foods, Victoria, B.C.
Gold: Rebecca Perna and team, Denninger’s, Burlington, Ont.

Medium Surface Category

Bronze Award: Métro Plouffe de Farnham, Alimentation D.L. Plouffe inc. Farnham, Que.
Silver Award: Joseph Kim and Derek Jun, Galleria Supermarket, Toronto
Gold: Country Grocer Royal Oak, Victoria, B.C.

Large Surface Category

Bronze Award: Kay LeRiche, Tina Macdonald and Chris Williamson, Colemans on Newfoundland Drive, St. John's, N.L.
Silver: Save-On-Foods Lynn Valley, Vancouver
Gold: Longo’s Stouffville, Ontario 

Platinum Achievement Award

Platinum-entry that has won ten consecutive Awards of Merit (plaque).

Chris DeLima and team, Colemans, Port aux Basques, N.L.
Sherry Rowsell and team, Colemans, Springdale, N.L.