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 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. 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:

• higher end food products that offer “great value for the money,” enabling consumers to get the dining out experience at eat-in prices

• novel and more environmentally sustainable packaging, something that is both environmentally-friendly and consumer-friendly

• 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 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.

And the finalists are…

---

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 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

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