Market News

Grand Prix winners announced

A probiotic yogurt targeted at women over 40 and an Atlantic Salmon packaged on a presoaked cedar grilling plank were big winners at the 17th annual Grand Prix New Product Awards last week. Yoplait Asana from Ultima Foods picked up three awards: All Canadian product; Innovative Packaging; and Best Product in the dairy and egg products category (food). Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon by the Cedar Bay Grilling Company also won three: the Innovation and Originality award; the Canadian Grand Prix Healthy Innovation New Product Award; and Best New Product in the deli, meat and seafood category (food). Weston Bakeries won two awards for its Gadoua Multigo white bread with 14 whole grains: one special award for Consumer Acceptance; and also best new product in the bakery category (food). The Grand Prix Awards, which are presented by the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, were handed out at a dinner at the National Grocery Conference in Halifax last Monday. Awards were presented in 26 food, non-food and private label categories. "Amongst the winners, it is clear to see how the grocery industry is giving consumers what they want, in increasingly novel ways," said Michelle Scott, CCGD's vice-president responsible for events and Grand Prix. "Whether that's convenience, healthy attributes, higher-end products at value prices, or eco-friendly products and packaging, our members respond to and help set trends-and Grand Prix New Product Awards spotlight those innovations. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, June 7, 2010