Metro a big winner at the 25th Canadian Grand Prix awards
Metro was a big winner at the 25th Anniversary Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, recognized by the Retail Council of Canada during a gala event in Toronto Wednesday night.
The Montreal-based grocer was the most-awarded company of the evening, taking home a total of five trophies for products in its Irresistibles private label line: Irresistibles Apple, Maple and Cranberry Pie, Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese, Irresistibles Organics Chicken, Irresistibles Old-Fashioned Potato Chips and Irresistibles Dog Treats.
“Last year was a milestone year for Metro, with Canada’s 150th birthday and Metro’s 70th anniversary,” said Marie-France Gibson, vice-president, corporate brands, Metro Inc., in an email to Canadian Grocer. “We chose to celebrate these events all year long by rolling out new twists on Canadian classics in our Irresistibles line and we’re honoured to be recognized with five awards – the most of any retailer – for our efforts.”
The Grand Prix awards recognize the best new products in food, non-food and private label categories.
“This year’s 25th Anniversary awards showcase the best of the best new grocery products from across Canada. It is exciting that outstanding products are being introduced by established manufacturers, new suppliers, as well as smaller boutique and family-owned retailers” said Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, in a press release announcing the winners.
Other multiple-category winners included Rexall, Sobeys and Walmart Canada. During the gala, RCC also recognized T&T Supermarket's Cindy and Tina Lee with the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winning Grand Prix products were evaluated by a jury composed of people working in the grocery and consumer packaged goods industry, as well as journalists and dietitians in Montreal, in February. To become a finalist, products had to achieve a score of at least 70% in the judging.
Here are the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Award winners:
FOOD
Bridor
Au Pain Doré Origine Pastries
Heartland Food Products Group
Splenda Stevia No Calorie Sweetener
Twinings of London
Twinings Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea
AB World Foods
Blue Dragon 3 Step
Lamontagne Chocolate
Lamontagne Collection
Gay Lea Foods
Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese
Finica Foods
Lenberg Farms cheese
Bonduelle
Spinach Dip, Artichoke & Seasoning
Terra Beata Farms
Dried Cranberries
Bleumer
Cubes for tartar, Sushi à la maison
Fourmi Bionique
Nutbrown Grain Free Granola
Left Field Foods
Spokes Puffed Potato Snacks
Prana
Chocolate Bark
NON-FOOD
Baby Gourmet Foods Inc.
Baby Gourmet Shakers Nurtitional Beverage
Carlton Cards
Sweet Eats
Sunstar Americas Inc. (Canada)
Gum Flossers
Namëna Biosciences
IGNITE-SX
Cascades Tissue Group
Cascades Fluff
Hain-Celestial Canada
Jason Dry Spray Deodorant
PRIVATE LABEL FOOD
Metro Brands, g.p.
Irresistibles Apple, Maple and Cranberry Pie
Irresistibles Organics Lactose-Free Cheese
Irresistibles Organics Chicken
Irresistibles Old-Fashioned Potato Chips
Sobeys
Sensations by Compliments Cold Brew Coffee
Sensations by Compliments Milk & Dark Chocolate Almond Dates
Compliments Gluten Free Cookie Dough
Longo’s
Longo’s Signature Muffuletta
Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
Co-op Gold Perogies
Save-On-Foods
Western Family Salad Kits
Rexall
Nosh & Co. Premium Artisinal Shortbread Cookies
PRIVATE LABEL NON-FOOD
Walmart Canada
Parent’s Choice Diaper Pail Refills
Equate Whey Protein Powder
Canadian Tire Corporation
NOMA Advanced Constant-Lit C6 LED Christmas String Lights
Rexall
Kit 3 in 1 Sponge
Metro Brands, g.p.
Irresistibles Dog Treats
SPECIAL AWARDS
All Canadian: Fourmi Bionique Inc., Nutbrown Grain Free Granola
Overall Consumer Value: Bonduelle, Spinach dip, artichoke and seasoning
Innovation and Originality: High Liner Foods, Can't Mess It Up! Wild Pink Salmon
Innovative Packaging: Finica Food Specialties Ltd., Lenberg Farms