Who should get the Golden Pencil? Nominate now

It’s time to submit who you think should receive the Canadian grocery industry’s most prestigious award.

The Golden Pencil recognizes a person’s lifetime contributions to the grocery industry.

Traditionally, two awards are presented each year: one to a person on the retailer side of the business and another to someone on the supplier side. (Some years a third person, such as from an association, is also recognized.)

NOMINATE your choice for the Golden Pencil here

Ideal candidates for the award will have been involved with the Canadian grocery industry a minimum of 10 years and achieved senior executive status. They should also have made significant contributions to the Canadian food industry and to their companies.

The deadline to submit is May 31 so don’t forget to nominate by visiting the Golden Pencil site and clicking on the “nominees” button.

Recipients will be recognized at the annual Golden Pencil awards presentation, Nov. 14, in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York.

The Golden Pencil, originally called the “Knights of the Golden Pencil Award”, was first presented in 1957 by the Food Industry Association of Canada, a non-profit that continues to oversee the award to this day.

The award was established by Paul Higgins Sr. to recognize the efforts of both buyer and seller to develop and improve the Canadian food industry.

SEE a list of past Golden Pencil winners

The symbol used for the award is a golden pencil, signifying the transaction between supplier and retailer by the stroke of a pen.

Last year’s recipients were: Jean Gattuso, president and COO of Lassonde Industries; Gus Longo, co-founder of Longo Brothers; and Arthur Smith, founder and CEO of GS1 Canada.

Other recent winners include Marc Guay of PepsiCo Foods, Louise Wendling of Costco, Eric La Flèche of Metro and Dino Bianco of Kraft Foods.

For more information on the awards or to submit a nominee, or several nominees, click here.