Winners of 2025 Canadian Independent Grocers of the Year Awards revealed
The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) held its 63rd annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards Ceremony on Wednesday (Oct. 29) evening.
Opening the event, CFIG president Ron Welke took a moment to speak of the resilience of the industry as it confronts new economic realities. "All of you here—retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, continue to face unimaginable challenges, yet, as Canadians do, we've come together tonight, not to complain, but to celebrate our successes."
The gala, which took place at the Grocery Innovations Canada exhibition and conference in Toronto, was attended by more than 500 grocers, suppliers and distributors.
CFIG’s awards program recognizes the success of outstanding independent retailers in Canada.
See below for the 2025 winners of the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards.
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.
Winner: Michael De Lutis and Fairview, Longo’s Fairview, Burlington, 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: Joseph Kim and Derek Jun, Galleria Supermarket, Oakville, Ont.
Silver Award: The Willemsen family and team, Sunripe Sarnia, Sarnia, Ont.
David C. Parsons Award: Tomasz Badelek, L'OCA Quality Market, Sherwood Park, Alta.
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: Carson Holden, Nesters Market Kelowna Airport, Kelowna, B.C.
Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Cam Bowman & Team Members, Freson Bros. Sundre,
Sundre, Alta.
Ontario: Joe Greco, Rina Virgilio, Chris Didomenico, Greco's Fresh Markets Thornhill,
Thornhill, Ont.
Quebec/Atlantic Canada: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Bedford, Que.
Regional Medium Surface Category:
British Columbia/Yukon: Arden Fowler, Stong's Market Northwoods, North Vancouver,
Sooke, B.C.
Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Jack Nazaruk & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh
Market Glenora, Edmonton, Alta.
Ontario: Joe Bruzzese and Longo's Rutherford Team, Longo's Rutherford, Woodbridge, Ont.
Quebec /Atlantic Canada: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Metro Plouffe Farnham, Farnham, Que.
Regional Large Surface Category:
British Columbia/Yukon: Park & Tilford Team, Save-On-Foods Park & Tillford, North
Vancouver, B.C.
Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Aaron Coutts & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh
Market Stony Plain, Stony Plain, Alta.
Ontario: Brad Boin and Longo's Kitchener Team, Longo's Kitchener, Kitchener, Ont.
Québec/Atlantic Canada: Justin Norman, Yvette Snow and Team, Colemans Gardens Market, Corner Brook, N.L.
National Awards – Gold, Silver, Bronze in Small/Medium/Large
Bronze, silver and gold awards are presented to the top scoring stores in the small, medium and large size categories.
Small Surface Category
Bronze Award: Carson Holden, Nester Market Kelowna Airport, Kelowna, B.C.
Silver Award: Carmen and Giancarlo Trimarchi, Vince's Market Tottenham, Tottenham,
Ont.
Gold Award: Joe Greco, Rina Virgilio, Chris Didomenico, Greco's Fresh Markets-
Thornhill, Thornhill, Ont.
Medium Surface Category
Bronze Award: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Metro Plouffe Farnham, Farnham, Que.
Silver Award: Joe Bruzzese & Longo's Rutherford Team, Longo's Rutherford,
Woodbridge, Ont.
Gold Award: Jack Nazaruk & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market Glenora,
Edmonton, Alta.
Large Surface Category:
Justin Norman and Yvette Snow, Colemans - Garden Market, Corner
Brook, N.L.
Silver Award: Brad Boin and Longo's Kitchener Team, Longo's Kitchener, Kitchener, Ont.
Gold Award: Park & Tilford Team, Save-On-Foods Park & Tillford, North Vancouver, B.C.
Platinum Achievement Award
Platinum-entry that has won ten consecutive Awards of Merit (Plaque)
Winners: Laith Nakash & Longo's Applewood Team, Longo's Applewood, Mississauga, Ont.
Brad Yan, Nesters Market North Vancouver, North Vancouver, B.C.
Bob Adams, Sue Adams, Carolyne Blundell, Kirsten Mcleod, Pemberton Valley
Supermarket Ltd., Pemberton, B.C.
Jared Artindale, Quality Foods Westshore, Langford, B.C.
Marcus, Brett, Dean, Phil, and Staff, Tru Value Foods - Mayne Island, B.C.
Hall of Fame
Stores that have consistently demonstrated excellence are recognized. To be eligible, a store must have won at least three Gold Awards or have received a Platinum Achievement Award and two Gold Awards.
Winner: Michael De Lutis & Fairview, Longo’s Fairview, Burlington, Ont.