Grocery Industry celebrates innovation

In Quebec City on May 25, the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) announced the winners of its Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

The CCGD received a record 203 entries. Each entry was judged by a 32-member panel and CCGD distributor members from across Canada.

Big winner

The big winner this year was Naturegg Omega 3 Hard Boiled Eggs from Burnbrae Farms. It won in the Dairy & Egg Products category and also won three special awards: All Canadian, Innovation and Originality, and Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation New Product.

This year’s Canadian Grand Prix competition was open to products introduced between Oct. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2008.

The other food winners and categories are:

• Baby Care: NESTLÉ CANADA INC. for its Nestlé Good Start Natural Cultures
• Bakery: CANADA BREAD COMPANY, LIMITED for its POM Smart
• Baking Needs: UNILEVER CANADA for its Becel Buttery Taste margarine/Becel Gold (in Quebec only)
• Beverages: CANADA DRY MOTT’S INC. for its Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale
• Condiments & Sauces: SMUCKER FOODS OF CANADA CO. for its Smucker’s Squeeze Fruit Spreads
• Confectionery: MARS CANADA INC. for its Dove Chocolate
• Dairy & Egg Products: BURNBRAE FARMS for its Naturegg Omega 3 Hard Boiled Eggs (2 pack)
• Deli, Meat & Seafood: MAPLE LEAF FOODS for its Schneiders Sure Seal Fat Free
• Dessert: CHAPMAN’S ICE CREAM for its Chapman’s* Yogurt Plus
• Frozen or Refrigerated Prepared Food & Entrees: KRAFT CANADA INC. for its Kraft Bagel-fuls
• Fruits, vegetables & produce: CAVENDISH FARMS for its From the Farm
• Shelf Stable Prepared Food & Entrees: BELGO & BELLAS for its YogActive probiotic cereal with psyllium, real peaches and strawberries – Very High Source of Fibre
• Snack: GROUPE BISCUITS LECLERC INC. for its Praeventia cookies

Private Label

• Bakery: SOBEYS INC. for its Compliments Collection White Parisian Bread 525 g
• Beverages: CANADA SAFEWAY LIMITED for its O Organics Drinks / Smoothies 600 mL
• Condiments & Sauces: LOBLAW COMPANIES LTD. for its President’s Choice Dulce de Leche Caramel Creme Spread
• Confectionery, Snack & Dessert: METRO INC. for its Fat Free Sorbets Irresistibles
• Dairy, Eggs, Meat & Seafood: CANADA SAFEWAY LIMITED for its Waterfront Bistro Shrimp Appetizer Collection, 535 g
• Prepared Food & Entrees: LOBLAW COMPANIES LTD. for its President’s Choice Blue Menu en Papillote

Special Awards

• All Canadian: BURNBRAE FARMS for its Naturegg Omega 3 Hard Boiled Eggs (2 pack)
• Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation New Product: BURNBRAE FARMS for its Naturegg Omega 3 Hard Boiled Eggs (2 pack)
• Innovation and Originality: BURNBRAE FARMS for its Naturegg Omega 3 Hard Boiled Eggs (2 pack)
• Innovative Packaging: SMUCKER FOODS OF CANADA CO. for its Smucker’s Squeeze Fruit Spreads