ANTHONY LONGO - 2012 Recipient of the Spirit of the Independent Designation

TORONTO, May 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Chair, Brent Battistelli, President and CEO, John F.T. Scott and the Board of Directors of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers are pleased to announce the unanimous selection of the 2012 Spirit of the Independent Award: Anthony Longo, President and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.

If there is one thing our industry can be proud of, it is that there is no shortage of inspirational stories of entrepreneurship and triumph over adversity.  Coast to coast, our members include real role models for the industry; individuals who, through their career, have been instrumental in ensuring the continued welfare of the independent. CFIG created the Spirit of the Independent award in order to recognize the efforts and achievements of these outstanding individuals.

The Spirit of the Independent Award is given infrequently to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the growth of the entrepreneurial spirit and provided exceptional inspiration to Canada's independent grocers.

Past recipients include Omer Moncion of Moncion Grocers in 2010, Frank Lovsin of Freson Bros. IGA in 2009, Jim Pattison of The Jim Pattison Group in 2007, Dr. Thomas Haggai, Chairman of IGA Inc. in 2006, and the Hon. Lyle van Clief, former Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in 2004.

After graduating from Humber College with a Business Administration Diploma in 1982 Anthony went to work for the Longo's Oakville location fulltime and quickly rose through the ranks by getting involved in direct-buying and accepting his father's invitations to accompany him to meetings with lawyers and accountants - giving Anthony a chance to see and learn how the business was run from behind the scenes.

In 1990, Anthony was promoted to General Manager and after working with a third party consulting firm to help with succession planning, was appointed President and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. in 1998.

When I got the call from Brent Battistelli (CFIG Chair), I didn't think I was deserving of the award" Anthony said. "Given those who have been recognized in the past - guys like Jimmy Pattison and Frank Lovsin - guys who have been around for decades and who have given a lot more to the community than I ever have. Just to be named in the same award is pretty humbling."

Sitting as President and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. for 14 years now, Anthony is easily the youngest to ever be honoured with the Spirit of the Independent Award, an award that recognizes real role models for the industry; individuals who, through their career, have been instrumental in ensuring the welfare of the independent and continually inspire those around them.

"I take the lessons learned from my father and uncles and I ask: 'how do we help people have better lives, whether it's customers, employees or suppliers? There's no master plan, just how do we continue to push each other, continually get better and give all we can to the community? Those are the key questions that we always ask ourselves."

Anthony Longo spent the early part of his life learning from his father and uncle's; valuable life and business lessons that he now bestows upon his family, colleagues and team - inspiring them to be the best they can. The members of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers have gained so much from his significant contribution and loyal support. The Canadian grocery industry is fortunate to have Anthony Longo, and for this, we are proud to honour Anthony at the Luncheon of Honour at Grocery Innovations Canada on Monday, October 1, 2012 in Toronto.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1962, which continues to be a collaborative community, equipping and enabling independent, franchised and specialty grocers for sustainable success. Representing over 4000 grocery retailers from every part of Canada, CFIG is a strong and united voice for independent grocers, providing programs for operational excellence, facilitating educational and training programs and fostering enabling-relationships among retailers and suppliers. CFIG is a respected organization that speaks confidently for its retail members to industry, government, and the consumer.

Dan Leggieri, Communications Manager
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
416-492-2311 x. 231
[email protected]

To arrange interviews with Anthony Longo, contact:

Mary Testa
Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
o. 905-264-4110 x. 4310 c. 647-285-1586
[email protected]