Please note that our new application deadline for the 2010 program will be February 15, 2010

This signature program is designed to offer our members a valuable and affordable consultation service with the possibility for national recognition.

No other organization offers such a comprehensive consulting service at such an affordable price. Our detailed evaluation has become an invaluable resource to participating members. In addition to a thorough store evaluation, all participants will have the opportunity to consult one-on-one with industry experts.

We want to help you improve your store's performance. Enter the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year program and find out what you are doing right AND areas where you can improve upon from a perspective that counts: you customers'.

CFIG provides retailers the opportunity to receive an evaluation from a third party consultant. Retailers are evaluated based on a consumer’s perspective. An evaluation that compares their operation to similar stores within the geographic regions (criteria such as cleanliness, freshness, market strategy, customer service, merchandising etc.) is provided to each participant to guide them towards operational excellence.

Process
Each participating store is thoroughly evaluated by an Adjudicator. An awards component recognizes retailers nationally on their consistent and high-ranking achievements. Award recipients are presented with their awards at a gala awards evening at Canada's premier food industry exposition Grocery Innovations Canada held in Toronto.

Award Categories

National Awards
Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are presented to the highest scoring retailers in each size category.

Specialty Awards
Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are presented to the top scoring entries in the Specialty Category.

The Arnold Rands Heritage Award
This prestigious award is given to the retailer with the top score in the Heritage category. This award is bestowed upon a retailer operating a family owned business for at least two generations, that has operated in the same community for at least 35 years.

Regional Awards
Awarded to the highest score in each of the three size categories, in each region. Regions are: Albter/Northwest Territories/Nunavut - Atlantic Canada - British Columbia/Yukon - Eastern Ontario/Québec - South Central Ontario - Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Northern Ontario

Hall of Fame
Recognizes a store that has consistently demonstrated excellence. To be eligible, a store must win at least 3 Gold Awards or receive one Platinum Award and one Gold Award.

Award of Merit
A preliminary award that recognizes the top scoring stores in all categories. An Award of Merit Reception is hosted annually at Grocery Innovations Canada to recognize this superior achievement.

Achievement Awards
Gold Achievement Award - bestowed on an entry that has won three consecutive Award of Merits.
Diamond Achievement Award - bestowed on an entry that has won six consecutive Award of Merits.
Platinum Award - bestowed on an entry that has won ten consecutive Award of Merits.

Criteria

1. The Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards is open to all CFIG
and ADA members.

2. All participating stores must be open for business a minimum of one
year.

3. Stores entering the size or specialty category who have received a
Gold Award are not eligible to win a National or Regional Award for 3
consecutive years.

4. Stores are evaluated based on the category they enter. Store size
categories have been designed to allow an accurate and competitive
assessment within size groups. Adjudicators can change the category
entered at their discretion. Retailers will be notified of any change.

5. Upon entering, each store will receive a copy of the evaluation form.
This will help assist you and your staff in preparing for the upcoming
store evaluation.

6. Each participant will receive a detailed store analysis and may have
the opportunity to have a one-on-one session with the Chief
Adjudicator once the awards program has been completed.

Evaluation & Judging

CFIG will designate Adjudicators and a Chief Adjudicator. Adjudicators will visit and evaluate each store. Evaluations are unannounced and take place between Monday and Friday beginning April 1, 2008. All decisions of the Chief Adjudicator are final.

CFIG's Associate Member's Council administers the Awards program.

How to Register

There are 3 easy ways to register for the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year program. Simply download the Registration Form below and send to:

1. Fax
416.492.2347

2. Mail
CFIG
2235 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 902
Willowdale, ON
M2J 5B5

3. You can now also APPLY ONLINE HERE.

*Please note that to access our online forms, your store must register for a username and password.*

Large Surface Category

Gold: Steve Vetrecin and the Longo Team Members
Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. – Wyecroft, Oakville, Ontario

Silver: Ken Schley, John Briuolo, Noel Hayward, Randy Henson and
The Entire Store Team
Qualicum Foods, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

Bronze: Darren Nickerson and Team
Save-On-Foods – Ellerslie, Edmonton, Alberta

Regional:Steve and Kelly Rome, Chris Rome and Staff
Rome’s Independent Grocer, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Regional:Daniel Plouffe et Patrick Plouffe
Métro Plouffe de Sherbrooke (rue King Est), Sherbrooke, Québec

Medium Surface Category

Gold: Darryl and Christine Hein and Staff
The Market on Millstream, Victoria, British Columbia

Silver: Louis-Martin Racicot et Charles Vallières
Métro Lussier Waterloo, Waterloo, Québec

Bronze: The Fantastic Team at Market Street Vulcan
Market Street Vulcan, Vulcan, Alberta


Regional: Keith and Pauline McDougall
Sobeys St. Vital, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Regional: Michael Pugliese and John Crisci
Michael-Angelo’s Market Place Inc., Mississauga, Ontario

Regional: David J. Powell, Brent Bugden and John Mercer
Powell’s Supermarket, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador

Small Surface Category

Gold: Joe Greco, Anthony Greco, Rina Virgilio and Mike Abballe
Oak Ridges Food Market, Richmond Hill, Ontario

Silver: Damian Ewaski and Team Members
Freson IGA – Valleyview, Valleyview, Alberta

Bronze: Byron and Heather Guy, Christopher Szeszorak and Dave Broderick
Harold’s Family Foods, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Regional: Dan Bregg, Sam Corea, Bruce Stewart and Ian Fairweather
Nester’s Market, Whistler, British Columbia

Regional: François Bouchard and the Entire Team
The Country Grocer, Ottawa, Ontario

Regional: Mike Belliveau, Shelley Byers and Staff
Mike’s Foodland, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

David C. Parsons Award of Excellence in Specialty Food Retailing (Gold): Bob McMullen, Brad McMullen and Christy McMullen
Summerhill Market, Toronto, Ontario

Silver: Pete’s and their Dynamic Team
Pete’s Downtown, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Bronze: Will and Ingrid Willemsen, Brian Malt, Randy Schleihauf, Albert Michaud, Wendy Gray and Baubi Kalogirou
Sunripe, London, Ontario

Arnold Rands Heritage Award Winner

The Sharpe Family
Sharpe’s Food Market, Campbellford, Ontario