Saputo, Big Mountain Foods, and Demetres among top winners at this year’s Grand Prix New Product Awards

The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) honours 38 CPG products with the 31^st annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

Over two dozen jurors selected the winners out of 105 finalists this year, highlighting exceptional quality and innovation in products introduced in 2023. These entries came from different businesses including established retailers, suppliers, boutique shops, and family-owned enterprises from across Canada.

The winners reflected shifting consumer preferences and industry dynamics, trends such as high-protein and vegetarian snacking alternatives, sustainable packaging solutions, and diverse multi-cultural flavours.

In the food section, 12 awards were presented to brands in different categories: baking needs and dried bakery; fruit, vegetable and produce (fresh/refrigerated or frozen); meat, egg and seafood fresh/refrigerated or frozen; beverages; confectionery and shelf stable desserts; desserts, fresh/refrigerated or frozen; condiments and sauces; baby care; snacks (sweet and savoury); dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese and spreadables); and frozen or refrigerated prepared foods and entrees.

In the non-food section, Nestle Purina bagged two awards in the pet needs category and Thermacell Repellents earned an award for general merchandise.

In the private label food section, 13 awards were presented to brands in different categories: beverages; deli meats and cheeses; frozen or refrigerated prepared foods and entrees; snacks (sweet and savoury); desserts, fresh/refrigerated or frozen; bakery fresh (par-baked); dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese and spreadables); fruit, vegetable and produce (fresh/refrigerated or frozen); meat, egg and seafood fresh/refrigerated or frozen; baking needs and dried bakery; condiments and sauces; and confectionery and shelf stable desserts.

In the private label non-food section, five awards were presented to brands in different categories: baby care; health care – over the counter; personal care; pet needs; and general merchandise.

Additionally, special awards were presented to five brands. Demetres received an All-Canadian trophy for its ice creams. Sobeys was recognized with the Excellence in Ethnic Products award for its Chalo Signature Basmati Rice. Big Mountain Foods earned the Innovation and Originality award for their Soy Free Tofu. Balzac’s Coffee Roasters was honoured with the Innovative Packaging for their anniversary blend. Finally, Federated Co-operatives claimed the Overall Consumer Value Award for their Co-op Gold Feta Cheese.

Several companies received multiple awards across different categories, including Saputo Dairy Products Canada, Metro, Pattison Food Group, Big Mountain Foods, Demetres, and Federated Co-operatives.

RCC also presented Michael Medline, president and CEO of Empire Company and Sobeys, with the Trailblazer Award. Dino Bianco, CEO of Kruger Products, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. These special awards of distinction marked the contributions of these two to the retail industry and their communities.

For the full list of winners, visit https://rccgrandprix.ca/winners.

The awards gala was sadly interrupted by a heckler, who wanted Burnbrae Farms, Canada’s largest egg producer, to go cage-free. The heckler was swiftly taken off stage. It’s important to note that earlier this year, Mercy for Animals launched a campaign to urge Burnbrae Farms to commit to 100 per cent cage-free housing for its hens.

Margaret Hudson, president and CEO, Burnbrae Farms, addressed the heckling when she accepted a Grand Prix New Products Award in the Meat, Egg & Seafood Fresh/Refrigerated or Frozen category for the company’s Naturegg Solar product.

“I would like to thank the RCC for this award, our 15^th Grand Prix. It takes an amazing team to drive this innovation and our family could not be more proud of everyone at Burnbrae. I would also like to thank our retail partners who support us every day and of course the Canadian consumers that enjoy our eggs. Our family has been leaders in innovation in the egg category and in the Canadian food industry for decades. Our 15^th Grand Prix award tonight is a testament to that.

“We launched cage free, or free run, eggs over 26 years ago. We work hard to provide Canadians with choice in the type of eggs that fit their lifestyles, budget and values. We sponsored a professorship in poultry welfare and have an animal welfare specialist on staff – both affiliated with the University of Guelph. They work with our colleagues to ensure that the hens we raise receive the best possible care in all housing systems.

“As a sixth-generation Canadian family business, we are proud of the legacy we have created. We are proud to provide choice to Canadians. And we plan to keep innovating and ensuring that Canadians continue to have access to nutritious, safe, affordable eggs for generations to come,” she said.