Finalists Revealed for Canada's Top Prize for Grocery Newcomers

Revamped Canadian Grand Prix Awards honours best new brands on the shelves

TORONTO, April 13, 2016 /CNW/ - They are the grocery products that made the biggest impact in 2015. Today, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced the finalists for the 23^rd annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

The award program celebrates new products across food and non-food categories, as selected by a 37-member jury. Winners will be announced June 1, 2016 at the Toronto Congress Centre as part of STORE 2016, Canada's largest and most important retail conference.

Like the new products they highlight, the Canadian Grand Prix is new and improved. This year, the categories have been updated to better represent how retailers merchandise and market their products. Finalists were selected under separate consumer packaged goods and private label categories.

"Individually, each of this year's finalists sets a new benchmark for delivering excellence in product development, marketing and distribution," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of RCC. "And taken together, they demonstrate quite brilliantly how adept the industry is in pinpointing and satisfying the wants and desires of today's demanding grocery shoppers."  

The expert panel judging the awards comprises consumers, food journalists, packaging designers and marketing executives. Evaluations were conducted in February and March, both in homes and in the test kitchen at the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec in Montreal. Each entry was graded on presentation and packaging, product attributes, innovation and originality overall value to the consumer.

By heralding the new products that are creating the most buzz on supermarket shelves, the Canadian Grand Prix Awards program is also pointing the way to the future of the grocery sector in Canada. Jury chair and celebrated chef Marcus Von Albrecht notes, for example, the on-trend move among the finalists to products with a "cleaner ingredient list" – reflecting a hunger for more natural formulations. "We also saw more products that were regional with local ingredients."

Also strongly in evidence is the desire for convenience, what Von Albrecht described as "more time at home and quality food to enjoy quickly."

To become a finalist, a product must score of at least 70% in judging. This year, 93 products reached that mark. To view the complete list of finalists, visit: www.RCCGrandPrix.ca.   

Along with the food and non-food category winners, the Canadian Grand Prix will hand out five special awards – the All-Canadian Award, Innovation and Originality Award, Healthy Innovation Award, Packaging Award, and Consumer Acceptance Award (highest score from Nielsen's Homescan program).

Finalists and winners can use the Canadian Grand Prix logo on their packaging for two years. RCC also supports the awards with extensive consumer and trade marketing..

About Retail Council of Canada

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is the Voice of Retail in Canada representing more than 45,000 store fronts of all retail formats, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants in general merchandise, grocery and pharmacy. Its membership represents over 75% of all retail sales in Canada. RCC is a strong advocate for retailing in Canada and works with all levels of government and other stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness. RCC also provides its members with a full range of services and programs including education and training, benchmarking and best practices, networking, advocacy, and industry information.
www.retailcouncil.org  @retailcouncil  #RCCGrandPrix

Retail Council of Canada
Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards

Conseil canadien du commerce de détail
Grand prix canadien des produits nouveaux

2015 finalists by COMPANY
FINALISTES PAR COMPAGNIE 2015

FOOD | PRODUITS ALIMENTAIRES

A. Lassonde Inc.

• Oasis 70 Calories 
• Oasis NutriSolution

Agropur Dairy Cooperative | Agropur Cooperative Laitière

• OKA L'Artisan Smoke | OKA L'Artisan Fumée

Canada Bread Company Ltd.

• Harvest Grain with Apple | Harvest Grains céréaliers et pommes
• Homestyle Louis Francois Marcotte | Miche style maison, Louis Francois Marcotte

Canada Pure

• Canada Pure Sparkling Water Beverage | Canada Pure Boisson D'Eau Pétillante

Cavendish Farms | Les Fermes Cavendish

• FlavourCrisp

Clover Leaf Seafoods

• Toppers

Coca-Cola Ltd. | Coca-Cola Ltée

• Dasani Sparkling

ConAgra Foods Canada Inc. | Aliments ConAgra Canada Inc.

• Marie Callender's
• Orville Redenbacher's® Popcorn Chips | Croustilles De Maïs Éclaté Orville Redenbacher's^MD

Dare Foods Ltd. | Les Aliments Dare Limitée

• Breton Artisanal
• Whippet
• Bear Paws Dipped | Pattes d'ours Enrobés

Direct Plus Food Group

• McSweeney's Jerky

Emmi Canada

• Emmi Fondoü All-In-One | Emmi Fondü Tout-en-un

Finica Food Specialties Ltd.

• Zerto Smoked Fresh Mozzarella | Zerto mozzarella fraiche fumée

Fruit d'Or inc.

• Patience Fruit & Co Organic | Patience Fruit & co Biologique

Gardein

• Gardein

Gay Lea Foods Co-operatives Ltd.

• Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese | Nordica Smooth – Le fromage cottage savoureusement velouté
• Ivanhoe Nothing But Cheese

Granny's Poultry Cooperative

• Slow Cooker Turkey Roast | Cocotte Mijoteuse Roti de dinde

Hain-Celestial Canada

• Yves Veggie Cuisine Kale & Root Vegetable Patties 12x97g (1.16kg) | Yves Veggie Cuisine Galettes de Chou Frisé et de légumes - Racines 12 x 97 g (1.16kg)
• Europe's Best® Greens and Grains™

Happy Planet Foods

• Happy Planet Nut Smoothies | Happy Planet Smoothies aux noix
• Happy Planet Grab & Go Fresh Soups | Happy Planet soupe fraiche pour emporter

Industrie Gastronomique Cascajares

• Turkey drumstick fully cooked | Pilon de dindon entièrement cuit

Innerseasonings International Inc.

• Tunnel Bar-B-Q (TBQ) Sauces

L'Ancêtre Cheese Factory | Fromagerie L'Ancêtre inc.

• Le Boucané Bio, L'Ancêtre Organic Double Applewood Smoked Cheddar | L'Ancêtre Le Boucané Bio Cheddar biologique fumé à l'ancienne au bois de pommier

Laiterie Chalifoux

• Riviera petit pot set-style yogourt | Riviera petit pot yogourt ferme

Lantic Inc.

• Lantic Stevia Individual Sugar Envelops-Natural & Zero Calories | Sachets de Stévia Lantic - Édulcorant naturel à 0 calorie

Maple Lodge Farms | Fermes Maple Lodge

• Maple Lodge Farms Naturally From the Farm Hickory Smoked Chicken Bacon Style | Poulet Genre Bacon Fumé au Hickory de Maple Lodge Farms Naturally From the Farm

Mars Canada Inc.

• M&M'S MINIS® Holiday 4-Pack | M&M'S MINIS® 4-Pack Saisonnière

Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd.

• Hardbite Chips | Hardbite Croustilles

Ocean Brands

• Ocean's Snackit Dips

Olymel

• Flamingo - Super Crunchy and Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets XOXO | Flamingo Pépites de poulet XOXO Super Croustillantes et Sans Gluten

Parmalat Canada

• Astro Athentikos Greek Yogourt | Astro Athentikos Yogourt Grec
• Président Feta 400g

Prairie Harvest Canada Ltd.

• Prairie Harvest Organic Coconut Blend Pasta | Prairie Harvest Pâtes Avec Noix de Coco Santé

Single Cup Coffee

• Skinnygirl® Cocktail-Inspired Single Serve Tea Cups | Skinnygirl® Inspiré du cocktail Dosettes de thé pour tasse individuelle
• Torani® Naturally Flavoured Single Serve Coffee Cups | Torani® Café aromatisé naturellement Dossettes-café pour tasse individuelle

Smucker Foods of Canada

• Robin Hood Quick Bread Gluten Free Banana | Mélanges pour pain éclair aromatisé aux bananes sans gluten Robin Hood

St-Hubert

• Poutine Bites | Bouchées de poutine

Weston Bakeries Limited | Boulangeries Weston Limitées

• Country Harvest Apple Bread | Pain aux pommes Country Harvest

NON-FOOD PRODUCTS | PRODUITS NON ALIMENTAIRES

Carlton Cards Ltd. | Carlton Cards

• Party Poppers

Kruger Products L.P | Produits Kruger s.e.c.

• SpongeTowels Ultra Strong paper towel | SpongeTowels Ultra Fort essuie-tout

Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada | Nestle Purina

• DentaLife Chews
• Tidy Cats LightWeight Litter | Litière Poids plume Tidy Cats

S.C. Johnson and Son, Limited | S. C. Johnson et Fils, Limitée

• OFF! Familycare Bite and Itch Relief Pen | OFF! PROTECTION FAMILIALE SOULANGEMENT DES PIQÛRES ET DES DÉMANGEAISONS
• Glade Large Jar Candle | Glade Chandelle En grand pot
• Ziploc® brand Freezer Bags with Easy Open Tabs | marque Ziploc® sacs de congélation avec languettes faciles à ouvrir

Smucker Foods of Canada Corp.

• Milk Bone Dog Treats | Milk Bone Goûters Pour Chiens

Unilever Canada

• Dove Dry Spray | Dove vaporisateur à sec

PRIVATE LABEL – FOOD PRODUCTS | MARQUES MAISON – PRODUITS ALIMENTAIRES

Canadian Tire Retail

• FRANK Coffee Pods 30ct
• FRANK Chips
• FRANK Chocolate Almonds

Federated Co-Operatives Limited

• Co-op Gold Aioli | Co-op d'Or Aioli
• Co-op Gold Whisky Caramel Sauce | Co-op d'Or Sauce au caramel et au whisky
• Co-op Gold PURE Wagyu Beef Burger | Co-op d'Or PURE Burger de boeuf Wagyu
• Co-op Gold PURE Dark Chocolate | Co-op d'Or PURE Chocolat Noir
• Co-op Gold PURE Granola | Co-op d'Or PURE Granola

Longo's

• Indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cups | Coupes à la mousse au chocolat Indulgent

Metro Brands, g.p. | Les marques Metro, s.e.n.c

• Irresistibles- Life Smart Smoothie | Irrésistibles- Mieux-être Frappé
• Irresistibles- Olive oil for dipping | Irrésistibles- hulie d'olive pour trempette
• Irresistibles- Sauce- Marinade | Irrésistibles- Sauce- Marinade
• Irresistibles- Dry Sausage | Irrésistibles- Saucisson sec
• Irresistibles- Avalanche ice cream | Irrésistibles- Avalanche crème glacée
• Irresistibles- Brownie in the centre | Irrésistibles-Brownie au centre
• Irresistibles Artisan- Deep dish pie, 750 g. | Irrésistibles Tarte à croûte profonde, 750 g.
• Irresistibles- Les hors-d'oeuvres asparagus | Irrésistibles- Les hors-d'oeuvre asparagus
• Irresistibles- Les hors d'oeuvres - Crab Cake | Irrésistibles- Les hors d'oeuvres- Cornet crabe
• Irresistibles- La pizza | Irrésistibles- La Pizza
• Irresistibles- Potato Gratin | Irrésistibles Gratin de pommes de terre
• Irresistibles – Old Fashioned Potato Chips | Irrésistibles- Croustilles à l'ancienne
• Irresistibles – Cookies | Irrésistibles - Biscuits

Sobeys Inc.

• Sensations by Compliments Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Sensations par Compliments huile d'olive extra vierge
• Jamie Oliver by Compliments | Jamie Oliver par Compliments
• Sensations Butter & Cheese Puff Pastry Biscuits | Sensations par Compliments Biscuits de pâte feuilletée au beurre et au fromage

Walmart Canada

• Great Value Better for you Entrée | Plate salutaire Great Value
• Our Finest Ethnic Entrées | Plats ethnique Notre excellence
• Our Finest Thick Cut Chips | Croustilles Coupe Épaisse Notre Excellence
• Our Finest Soft Baked Cookies | Biscuits Tendres Notre Excellence

PRIVATE LABEL – NON-FOOD PRODUCTS | MARQUES MAISON – PRODUITS NON ALIMENTAIRES

Canadian Tire Retail

• Big Boss Insta Mop | Vadrouille Big Boss Insta Mop
• FRANK Shiwala
• Canvas Megan Table Lamp | Lampe de table Canvas Megan
• Canvas Henrik Chair | Fauteuil Canvas Henrik
• Canvas Quinn Floor Lamp | Lampe torchère CANVAS Quinn
• Canvas 16 pc Wild Rose Porcelain Dinnerware Set | S. Vaiss. CV Rose, 16P

Mondou

• O'select Dog Snacks | Amuse-gueules pour chiens O'select
• Vetdiet Pill Covers | Cache-pilules Vetdiet
• O'select Washable Training Pads | Tapis de propreté lavables O'select
• Vetdiet Treats - Tender delights | Gâteries Vetdiet - Tendres délices

Walmart Canada

• Pure Balance Grain-Free Formula Dog Food | Nourriture pour chiens sans grains Pure Balance

SOURCE Retail Council of Canada

Colin Asuncion, Retail Council of Canada, 416-467-3782, [email protected]