Winners of Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards revealed

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) recognized leading independent food retailers Wednesday (Oct. 28) at the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards.

Held at the Toronto Congress Centre, the gala brought together more than 500 grocers, suppliers and distributors at the Grocery Innovations Canada conference and trade show. 

The event also celebrated the next generation of grocery leaders with CFIG’s 2026 National Scholarship Award program. Luke Coleman (Coleman Food Centre, Corner Brook, N.L.) took home a $15,000 scholarship as the 2026 National Winner. Regional winners (who will each receive a $3,250 scholarship) were: Calyssa Eng  (Young’s Market, Winnipeg), Daniel Lal (Saputo, Guelph, Ont.), Lauren Kim, (Save-On-Foods Pembina, Winnipeg) and Daliah Falcioni (General Mills, Mississauga, Ont.).

Read on for the 2026 winners of CFIG’s annual 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.  

Paul Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market Hinton Hill, Hinton, Alta.

National Awards in Specialty Category

David C. Parsons Award GOLD - David La Mantia, La Mantia’s Country Market Fresh,  Lindsay, Ont.  

SILVER – Eddie Kim, Pricesmart Foods, Lougheed, Burnaby, B.C.  

BRONZE – Stephanie Adams, Belbin’s Market, St. John’s, N.L.

Regional Awards

Regional Small Surface Category

British Columbia/Yukon: Sana & Jerry Marsh, Whistler’s Creekside Market, Whistler, B.C.  

Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Michael Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Valleyview, Valleyview, Alta.  

Ontario: John, Mary, Joey, Vincent, Deanna Carnevale, Pape Market Foodland, Toronto

Québec/Atlantic Canada: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Métro Plouffe, Bedford, Que.

Regional Medium Surface Category

British Columbia/Yukon: Charlie Lee, Fresh St. Market Walnut Grove, Langley, B.C. 

Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Lori Pollon & Ryan Hannay, Heritage Co-op Minnedosa,  Minnedosa, Man.  

Ontario: Mathew Danambassis, Longo's Liberty Village, Toronto

Québec /Atlantic Canada: Kim Martet Walsh, Colemans – Mount Pearl, Mount Pearl, N.L.  

Regional Large Surface Category

British Columbia/Yukon: Cory Butler & Team Members, Save-On-Foods Pine Centre, Prince George, B.C.  

Alberta/Sask./Man./NWT/Nunavut: Paul Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market  Hinton Hill, Hinton, Alta.  

Ontario: Angela Masellis & Longo's Leaside Team, Longo's Leaside, Toronto  

Québec/Atlantic Canada: Jean-Christophe Plouffe, Metro Plouffe Bromont, Bromont, Que.

National Awards

Small Surface Category

GOLD – John, Mary, Joey, Vincent, Deanna Carnevale, Pape Market Foodland, Toronto 

SILVER – Sana & Jerry Marsh, Whistler’s Creekside Market, Whistler, B.C.  

BRONZE – Michael Lovsin and Team, Freson Bros. Valleyview, Valleyview, B.C.

Medium Surface Category 

GOLD – Charlie Lee & Team, Fresh St. Market Walnut Grove, Langley, B.C.  

SILVER – Mathew Danambassis & Longo’s Liberty Village Team, Longo's Liberty Village, Toronto

BRONZE – Lori Pollon & Ryan Hannay, Heritage Co-op Minnedosa, Man. 

Large Surface Category

GOLD – Angela Masellis & Longo’s Leaside Team, Longo’s Leaside, Toronto 

SILVER – Cory Butler & Team, Save-On-Foods Pine Centre, Prince George, B.C.  

BRONZE – Paul Lovsin & Team Members, Freson Bros. Fresh Market Hinton Hill, Hinton, Alta.

Platinum Achievement Award

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

• Arden Fowler & Team, Stong’s Market Northwoods, North Vancouver, B.C.  
• Nesters Kelowna Airport Team, Nesters Market Kelowna Airport, Kelowna, B.C.
• Henry Simoes & The Longo’s Mount Pleasant Team, Longo’s Mount Pleasant, Brampton, Ont.
• Andrew Chambers & The Longo’s Ancaster Team, Longo’s Ancaster, Ancaster, Ont.

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.  

John, Mary, Joey, Vincent, Deanna Carnevale, Pape Market Foodland, Toronto