The Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards returned to Toronto with a sold-out gala celebrating the country’s leading independent grocery retailers. The annual ceremony, hosted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) as part of Grocery Innovations Canada, brought together more than 500 grocers, suppliers, and distributors from across the country to recognize excellence in community-based retailing.
Now in its latest edition, the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards spotlighted the achievements of retailers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to their communities. The event remains one of the most anticipated gatherings in the Canadian grocery industry, offering a glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shape the sector.
Among the most meaningful recognitions of the evening was the Heritage Award – Arnold Rands Award, which celebrates multigenerational, family-owned grocery stores that have served their communities for at least 35 years. This year’s honour went to Michael De Lutis and the Fairview team of Longo’s Fairview in Burlington, Ontario, a store that represents the enduring strength of family-operated businesses within Canada’s modern retail landscape.
The award, named in tribute to the late Arnold Rands, a longtime supporter of independent grocers, embodies the values of continuity, integrity, and community connection that define family-owned retailing.
National Specialty Food Retailers Recognized
The Specialty Category showcased some of Canada’s most innovative food retailers focused on curated, high-quality offerings. The Bronze Award went to Joseph Kim and Derek Jun of Galleria Supermarket in Oakville, Ontario, while Silver was presented to The Willemsen Family and Team at Sunripe Sarnia in Sarnia, Ontario.
The David C. Parsons Award, a prestigious recognition within the specialty division, was awarded to Tomasz Badelek of L’OCA Quality Market in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Each recipient demonstrated strong community engagement and forward-thinking approaches to fresh food presentation and sourcing.
Regional Excellence Across the Country
The heart of the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards lies in celebrating regional achievements. Winners across four regions, including British Columbia and Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, and Québec and Atlantic Canada, were recognized in small, medium, and large surface categories.
In the Small Surface Category, highlights included Carson Holden of Nesters Market Kelowna Airport in British Columbia, Cam Bowman and the Freson Bros. team in Sundre, Alberta, Joe Greco and the team from Greco’s Fresh Markets in Thornhill, Ontario, and Jean-Christophe Plouffe of Métro Plouffe in Bedford, Québec.
For Medium Surface stores, winners such as Arden Fowler of Stong’s Market Northwoods in North Vancouver, Jack Nazaruk of Freson Bros. Fresh Market Glenora in Edmonton, and Joe Bruzzese with Longo’s Rutherford in Woodbridge stood out for excellence in operations, merchandising, and customer experience.
Large-format stores, meanwhile, showcased the ability of independents to compete at scale. The Save-On-Foods Park & Tilford team in North Vancouver received regional recognition, alongside Freson Bros. Fresh Market Stony Plain in Alberta, Longo’s Kitchener in Ontario, and Colemans – Garden Market in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.
National Standouts: From Small to Large
The national awards brought together the top-scoring stores in each size category from coast to coast.
In the Small Surface Category, Greco’s Fresh Markets in Thornhill claimed the Gold Award, following Silver for Vince’s Market in Tottenham and Bronze for Nesters Market Kelowna Airport.
The Medium Surface Category saw Freson Bros. Fresh Market Glenora in Edmonton win Gold, with Longo’s Rutherford taking Silver and Metro Plouffe Farnham in Québec earning Bronze.
For Large Surface retailers, the Save-On-Foods Park & Tilford team captured Gold, followed by Longo’s Kitchener with Silver and Colemans – Garden Market with Bronze.
These awards recognize the balance between innovation, operational discipline, and community commitment that continues to drive the independent grocery sector forward.
The Platinum Standard of Excellence
This year’s Platinum Achievement Award was presented to stores that have earned ten consecutive Awards of Merit, a testament to their sustained excellence in retailing. Honourees included Longo’s Applewood in Mississauga, led by Laith Nakash and team, as well as Nesters Market North Vancouver, managed by Brad Yan.
Additional recipients were Pemberton Valley Supermarket Ltd., operated by the Adams family, Quality Foods Westshore in Langford, and Tru Value Foods on Mayne Island. Each store has become synonymous with consistency, quality, and leadership in their respective markets.
The Hall of Fame recognizes stores that have achieved long-term excellence through multiple top honours, including at least three Gold Awards or a combination of Platinum and Gold recognitions. This year, Michael De Lutis and Longo’s Fairview in Burlington, Ontario, joined this elite group.
A Benchmark for Retail Excellence
The Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards represent the highest distinction bestowed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. Each competing store undergoes a comprehensive evaluation by an experienced retail management expert who visits the location in person.
Judging criteria encompass a wide range of metrics, including retailing excellence and innovation, customer service, team performance, space utilization, freshness, and cleanliness. The process provides valuable benchmarking for stores across the country while celebrating the distinct character of independent retail.
As CFIG’s flagship recognition program, the awards also reflect the resilience of Canada’s independent grocery sector amid economic pressures, shifting consumer expectations, and the growing presence of large-format competitors.
Grocery Innovations Canada: A Hub for Industry Leadership
The awards ceremony capped off Grocery Innovations Canada, the country’s premier grocery industry conference and trade show. The multi-day event in Toronto brought together retailers, brands, and service providers to explore the future of food retail.
Panels, exhibits, and educational sessions offered insights into sustainability, digital transformation, and local sourcing, issues central to the continued success of independent grocers. The gathering underscored how collaboration across the supply chain is helping Canadian retailers innovate and remain competitive in an evolving marketplace.
