Who took home this year's Grand Prix Awards?
Laiterie Chalifoux’s Petit Pot yogurts won big at the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Wednesday night.
The grocery industry feted the innovative products of 2015 at the Retail Council of Canada’s annual Grand Prix awards in Toronto. A total of 34 awards were given, as chosen by a jury of consumers, food journalists, packaging designers and marketing executives.
Laiterie Chalifoux scored a hat trick for its Riviera Petit Pot Set-Style Yogurt. It earned best dairy product, as well as the coveted All-Canadian award and Innovative Packaging Award. The yogurt is packaged in classic glass jars. They instantly became collector’s items last fall when the yogurts were launched in Quebec.
Metro took the cake (or more accurately, the pie) as the most awarded company in this year’s competition. It dominated with its Irresistibles lines, sweeping five categories in private label: bakery fresh (Par-Baked) (Artisan deep dish pie), beverages (Life-Smart Smoothie), confectionery & shelf stable desserts (Brownie in the Centre), deli meats & cheeses (Dry Sausage) and frozen or refrigerated prepared foods & entrees (Potato Gratin).
Federated Co-operatives also doubled down with awards in private label, taking home best condiment/sauce for its gold whisky caramel sauce and snack (sweet) for its gold pure dark chocolate.
The consumer acceptance award went to Kruger Products’ SpongeTowels Ultra Strong paper towel.
Emmi Canada’s Emmi Fondu All-In-One took the Innovation and Originality category. The Swiss-style fondue is ready after seven minutes in the microwave. All-in-one packaging includes a round metal can, resuable holder and even a small candle.
Canadian Tire had the second most finalists this year (nine food and non-food). It scooped up two awards for private label general merchandise and household products.
Among CPG companies, S.C. Johnson & Son picked up two wins for general merchandise and household products.
The Grand Prixs are now in their 23rd year. The program is open to manufacturers and distributors in Canada. This year’s awards recognize products introduced during 2015.
Here is a complete list of the winning products from last night:
SPECIAL AWARDS
All Canadian
LAITERIE CHALIFOUX
Riviera Petit Pot Set-Style Yogourt
Consumer Acceptance
KRUGER PRODUCTS
SpongeTowels Ultra Strong paper towel
Innovation and Originality
EMMI CANADA
Emmi Fondü All-In-One
Innovative Packaging
LAITERIE CHALIFOUX
Riviera Petit Pot Set-Style Yogourt
FOOD
Bakery Fresh
CANADA BREAD COMPANY
Harvest Grain with Apple
Baking Needs & Dried Bakery
SMUCKER FOODS OF CANADA
Robin Hood Quick Bread Gluten Free Banana
Beverages
A. LASSONDE
Oasis NutriSolution
Condiments & Sauces
INNERSEASONINGS INTERNATIONAL
Tunnel Bar-B-Q Sauces
Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts
MARS CANADA
M&M'S Minis Holiday 4-Pack
Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, Cheese & Spreadables)
LAITERIE CHALIFOUX
Riviera Petit Pot Set-Style Yogourt
Deli Meats and Cheeses
EMMI CANADA
Emmi Fondü All-In-One
Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees
HAIN-CELESTIAL CANADA
Europe's Best Greens and Grains
Fruits, Vegetables and Produce (Fresh, Refrigerated Or Frozen)
GARDEN PROTEIN INTERNATIONAL
Gardein
Meat, Egg & Seafood Fresh (Refrigerated or Frozen)
MAPLE LODGE FARMS
Maple Lodge Farms Naturally From the Farm Hickory Smoked Chicken Bacon
Shelf Stable Prepared Foods & Entrees
PRAIRIE HARVEST CANADA
Prairie Harvest Organic Coconut Blend Pasta
Snack (Savoury)
NATURALLY HOMEGROWN FOODS
Hardbite Chips
Snack (Sweet)
FRUIT D'OR
Patience Fruit & Co Organic, dried cranberries
NON-FOOD
General Merchandise
S.C. JOHNSON AND SON
Off! Familycare Bite and Itch Relief Pen
Household Products
S.C. JOHNSON AND SON
Glade Large Jar Candle
Paper, Plastic & Foil
KRUGER PRODUCTS
SpongeTowels Ultra Strong paper towel
Personal Care
UNILEVER CANADA
Dove Dry Spray
Pet Needs
NESTLÉ PURINA
Tidy Cats LightWeight Litter
PRIVATE LABEL - FOOD
Bakery Fresh
METRO BRANDS
Irresistibles - Artisan- Deep dish pie, 750g
Beverages
METRO BRANDS
Irresistibles - Life Smart Smoothie
Condiments & Sauces
FEDERATED CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED
Co-op Gold Whisky Caramel Sauce
Confectionery & Shelf Stable Desserts
METRO BRANDS
Irresistibles - Brownie in the centre
Deli Meats and Cheeses
METRO BRANDS
Irresistibles - Dry Sausage
Desserts (fresh, refrigerated or frozen)
LONGO'S
Indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cups
Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Foods & Entrees
METRO BRANDS
Irresistibles - Potato Gratin
Snack (Savoury)
SOBEYS
Sensations Butter & Cheese Puff Pastry Biscuits
Snack (Sweet)
FEDERATED CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED
Co-op Gold Pure Dark Chocolate
PRIVATE LABEL - NON-FOOD
General Merchandise
CANADIAN TIRE
Canvas 16 pc Wild Rose Porcelain Dinnerware Set
Household Products
CANADIAN TIRE
Big Boss Insta Mop
Pet Needs
MONDOU
Vetdiet Treats - Tender Delights