Canadian Consumers Seek Innovation on Grocery Shelves
Finalists Named for Grand Prix New Product Awards
TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - You're not supposed to go grocery shopping when you're hungry. Yet grocery consumers are exactly that - hungry for products that stand out from the crowd says Michelle Scott of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD). "The grocery list is just a starting point," says Scott. "Consumer research tells us that a significant number of grocery shoppers take the time to browse, and that 70% like trying new and interesting items."
Consumers vote for these innovative products every day through their purchases - and CCGD recognizes them every year through the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards(TM). In fact, in a recent review of trends in consumer goods, The Nielsen Company stated that in today's Canadian marketplace, "winning brands will innovate and differentiate". The finalists in the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards(TM) demonstrate those qualities.
This is the 17th year for the CCGD awards program, which recognizes the top grocery product newcomers across 25 food, non-food and private label product categories. The winners, to emerge from the finalists announced today, will be revealed at a gala banquet on May 31 at the National Grocery Conference in Halifax, presented by CCGD and Food and Consumer Products of Canada.
A 32-member jury made up of consumers, food editors, journalists, advertising executives, packaging designers and CCGD distributor members evaluates all entries in the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards(TM).
In February, the panel gathered at the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec in Montreal to evaluate the food and private label products. The judges assess non-food products at home over six weeks.
Each entry is graded on five criteria: uniqueness and innovation, product characteristics, presentation and packaging, overall consumer value, and consumer acceptance (i.e. the penetration rate of a product in households). To become a Grand Prix finalist, a product must achieve a cumulative average score of at least 70%.
"Every year, the products get better," says Marcus Von Albrecht, who has headed the jury for the competition for nine years, and serves as director of B.C. Chefs Association.
What's in store this year? Von Albrecht noted three themes running through many of the Grand Prix finalists:
- One, higher end food products that offer "great value for the money," enabling consumers to get the dining out experience at eat-in prices. - Two, novel and more environmentally sustainable packaging, something that is both environmentally-friendly and consumer-friendly. - Three, innovative flavours and cooking techniques.
"The range of this year's Grand Prix finalists demonstrates the grocery industry's commitment to innovation, and to exceeding consumers' ever evolving expectations," says Scott.
Products introduced between January 1 and December 31, 2009 were eligible to enter the 2009 Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards(TM). The awards program is open to manufacturers and distributors of all sizes.
The finalists and winners can use the Grand Prix Award logo on their packaging for two years. Winners gain additional profile through retailer support via flyers and shelf talkers. In addition, beginning this year through a partnership with Canadian Family Magazine, all 2009 Grand Prix Finalists will also be included in the 2010 Canadian Family Food Awards. This exciting new partnership will enable finalists to gain fresh insights into consumer tastes and trends, and Canadian Family readers will enjoy learning about the newest and most exciting products on Canadian grocery shelves.
View a complete list of Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards(TM) finalists at www.ccgd.ca.
2009 Grand Prix Finalists by Company Food ---- A. LASSONDE INC. Oasis Health Break Blackcurrant-Elderberry Immuniforce juice blend AGROPUR DIVISION NATREL Natrel Omega-3 DHA 2% milk beverage Québon Ultra'cream Blend of Cream and milk for cooking 5% AGROPUR FINE CHEESE DIVISION Allégro Probio 7% Soft Ripened Cheese AU PAIN DORÉ Take-N-Bake BENTO NOUVEAU LTD Bento Nouveau Express BONDUELLE CANADA INC. Arctic Gardens STEAMMM! frozen rice and vegetables BURNBRAE FARMS LIMITED Burnbrae(TM) Farms Free Run Omega 3 Eggs CADBURY ADAMS CANADA INC. Trident Xtra Care* CANADA BREAD COMPANY, LIMITED 100-Calorie Mini Bagels Dempster's(R) Healthy Way(R) with ProCardio recipe(TM) CANADA BREAD FROZEN BAKERY LTD Smart(TM) by Maison Cousin CANGRO FOODS INC. Aylmer(R) Gourmet Pasta Sauce CEDAR BAY GRILLING COMPANY LIMITED Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. OF CANADA Simply Apple(TM) CONAGRA FOODS CANADA INC. Healthy Choice(R) Gourmet Steamers(TM) Orville Redenbacher's(R) Flavoured Mini Bags Orville Redenbacher's(R) Select White Popcorn VH(R) Thai Market(TM) Sauces DANONE INC. Activia Probiotic Yogurt Danino 8 x 100g Silhouette 0+ Limited Edition 12 x 100g GENERAL MILLS CANADA CORPORATION Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Dark Chocolate Nut GROUPE BISCUITS LECLERC INC. Praeventia Cookies Praeventia Junior Cookies GROUPE TOMAPURE INC. Tomapure - Fruitpure HAPPY PLANET FOODS, INC. Happy Planet Natural Sauces HIGH LINER FOODS INC. Pan-Sear Selects(R) HONEY BUNNY INC. Bodacious Tomato Ketchup Honey Bunny Organic Clover Honey JANES FAMILY FOODS LTD. Janes* Cracked Black Pepper Chicken Breast Strips Janes* Grilled Chicken KAMBLY SA SPECIALITES DE BISCUITS SUISSES Carré Fondant KOZY SHACK ENTERPRISES Ready Grains Cereals KRAFT CANADA INC. Back to Nature Thinsations Chocolate Covered Pretzels KRAFT FOOD CONFECTIONS Toblerone LEBEL FOODS INC. Double Delight LIBERTÉ BRAND PRODUCTS Liberté GREEK yogurt MAPLE LEAF CONSUMER FOODS INC. Maple Leaf Prime Gourmet(TM) MARI'S FOODS INC. Wafu(R) WASABI EDAMAME Japanese Vinaigrette MARS CANADA INC. 3 Musketeers(R) Mint McCAIN FOODS (CANADA) McCain Crescendo Rising Crust Pizza McCain Purely Potatoes(TM) McCORMICK CANADA(R) Club House(R) Slow Cookers Soup Seasoning Mixes MELITTA CANADA INC. Melitta(R) World Harvest(TM) Fair Trade Coffee NATURE'S PATH FOODS INC. Organic Flax Plus(R) Maple Pecan Crunch NESTLÉ CANADA INC. Delissio Crispy Flatbread Pizza Delissio Garlic Bread Pizza Nestlé(R) Noir Mousse Délicate NESTLÉ WATERS CANADA Sanpellegrino(R) Sparkling Fruit Beverage OLIVIERI FOODS LIMITED Olivieri Chef's Collection Dips OLYMEL L.P. Lafleur Authentic Smoked Ham Olymel Center cut smoked bacon 500g fresh portion OMSTEAD FOODS LIMITED Blend Ease OZERY'S PITA BREAK 100 Calorie OneBun PARMALAT CANADA Astro Original Organic yogourt Balderson Heritage Cheese 5 Year Holiday Box Black Diamond Funcheez snack cheese Lactantia PurFiltre Organic milk SAPUTO BAKERY INC. Igor(R) Bongo Vachon(R) Frozen Desserts - Family size (Capuccino - Triple Chocolate) Vachon(R) Frozen Desserts: Single portions (Chocolate Mousse Cake - Chocolate Mousses SKILCOR FOOD PRODUCTS INC Cobblestone Farms Fully Cooked Hand Cut Pork Back Ribs SMUCKER FOODS OF CANADA CO. Bick's(R) Easy Squeeze Sweet Green Relish Europe's Best Imperial Blend Europe's Best Sun Ripe Harvest Peaches SUMMER FRESH SALADS Nickelodeon Snack n go! Snack n go Dip & Spread SUN-RYPE PRODUCTS LTD. Sun-Rype(R) Fruit to Go Crisps(R) Sun-Rype(R) Light & Refreshing(TM) THE ALLAN CANDY COMPANY LIMITED Allan(R) DOPS(TM) Chewy Berry Chocolates TMF -THE MEAT FACTORY LTD. Lou's Quick-N-Easy TOYO IMPORTING CO. LTD. Carotino Red Palm & Canola Oil TREE OF LIFE CANADA INC. Mareblu Naturals ULTIMA FOODS INC. Yoplait Asana(TM) UNILEVER CANADA Breyers Double Churn Popsicle Slow Melt VIVO HEALTH FOOD COMPANY LTD earthsown Almond Fresh VOORTMAN COOKIES LIMITED Dark Chocolate Omega 3 Flax Seed Cookie WESTON BAKERIES LIMITED Gadoua Multigo white with 14 Whole Grains Wonder+ Invisibles White with 14 Whole grains Bread WONG WING, A DIVISION OF McCAIN FOODS LIMITED Oriental Dumplings 536 g WRIGLEY CANADA Excel(TM) Mints Non-Food -------- C. B. POWELL LIMITED Reynolds Wrap 100% Recycled Aluminum Foil CADBURY ADAMS CANADA INC. HALLS Refresh CHURCH & DWIGHT CANADA CORP. Arm & Hammer(R) Pro Clean Sonic Battery Toothbrush DIZOLVE GROUP CORPORATION Dizolve(TM) Laundry Detergent Sheets DLM FOODS CANADA CORP. Milk-Bone* Advanced Health* Long Lasting Chew GROUPE SEB CANADA INC./NESTLÉ CANADA INC. Nescafé Dolce Gusto by Krups H.J. HEINZ COMPANY OF CANADA LTD Heinz Baby Cereal Heinz Biscuits IRVING CONSUMER PRODUCTS Majesta(R) Bathroom Tissue KIMBERLY-CLARK INC. HUGGIES* Pure & Natural Disposable Diapers KRUGER PRODUCTS L.P. Purex Ultra Scotties EnviroCare SpongeTowels(R) Pink Ultra Full Sheet MELITTA CANADA INC. Melitta(R) All Natural Bamboo Coffee Filters NESTLÉ PURINA PETCARE Purina(R) Friskies Party Mix(R) Cat Treats PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. Bounce(R) Dryer Bar Bounty(R) Paper Towel Clearblue(R) Digital Pregnancy Test with Conception Indicator Febreze(R) Destination Collection Febreze(R) Home Collection Gillette(R) Style Power Gel Olay(R) Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol PROCTER & GAMBLE INC (continued) Olay(R) Quench Advanced Relief Body Lotion Oral-B(R) Pulsonic(TM) Pantene Nature Fusion(TM) Tide(R) Compact Tide(R) Stain Release(TM) in-wash booster PURITY LIFE HEALTH PRODUCTS A DIVISION OF SUNOPTA Herbon(R) RockHoppers(TM) Vivitas Woman(TM) Mom to Be(TM) RECKITT BENCKISER CANADA INC. Air Wick(R) I-Motion(TM) Scented Oil Starter Kit Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Resolve Bright & White by Spray 'n Wash S. C. JOHNSON AND SON, LIMITED Glade(R) Sense & Spray(TM) Pledge(R) Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair Pledge(R) Multisurface Aerosol The Fragrance Collection by Glade(R) Ziploc(R) Brand Evolve(TM) Sandwich Bags SOLO CUP CANADA Bare(TM) by Solo(R) eco-forward(TM) plates/cups THE CLOROX COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. Green Works(R) Natural Compostable Cleaning Wipes Green Works(R) Natural Laundry Detergent THE SUN PRODUCTS CANADA CORPORATION Sunlight(R) Green Clean Laundry Detergent UNILEVER CANADA AXE Dark Temptation Dove(R) go fresh Burst Body Wash Vaseline Sheer Infusion(TM) Private Label ------------- CANADA SAFEWAY LIMITED Eating Right Kids Frozen Dairy Dessert Cups Eating Right Kids Whole Wheat Bug-Shaped Pasta Eating Right Omega-3 Large Eggs Eating Right Stuffed Chicken Breasts Eating Right Wild Pacific Salmon Burgers Lucerne Coffee Creamers O Organics Wide Pan Bread Ancient Grain with Spelt Waterfront Bistro Top Crusted Salmon Fillets LOBLAW BRANDS LIMITED "PC Blue Menu Thins" Buns MSC Certified PC Blue Menu Wild Argentinian Scallops PC Blue Menu Entrées PC Blue Menu Kettle Cooked Potato Chips PC Mocktails PC Yogurt Dressings METRO RICHELIEU INC. Irresistibles Aged balsamic Vinegar of Modena Irresistibles Frozen Yogurt Mini Bars - Probiotic - 90 Calories Irresistibles Ice Cream Log Dulce de Leche Irresistibles Life Smart Atlantic Salmon Burgers Irresistibles Life Smart Mini Crackers Irresistibles Life Smart Probiotic cottage cheese with prebiotic fibre Irresistibles Life Smart skinless herb chicken Irresistibles Life Smart Special blend of vegetables Irresistibles Phyllo Quiches Selection Eco Automatic dishwasher tabs SOBEYS INC. Compliments Balance Chilled Meals Compliments Mini Artisan Breads Compliments Sensations Gelato Compliments Sensations Naan Fully Baked Rolls, Freezer-To-Oven La Fondue Ready-To-Bake Viennoiseries - 100% Butter WALMART CANADA WalMart Ready to eat oven roasted chicken breast strips
For further information: Krista Pawley, Vice President Communications at [email protected] or (416) 922-6228 ext 323
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