Ontario presents two retailer awards to local grocers

MPP Ernie Hardeman presents the gold award to Ingersoll Foodland produce manager Blake Sharpe and owner Chris Macdonald. (Evan Gilbertson photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman has recognized two county grocery stores with Foodland Ontario Awards.

Blake Sharpe and Foodland Ingersoll has received a Gold Award for building creative produce displays that drive sales of local Ontario produce and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to Ontario’s local food industry.

Sharpe said he and his team were thrilled to win.

“We’ve never won one of the gold ones before and those are the top 12 in the province, so we are pretty happy with that.”

He added much of the credit goes to the hard-working employees at the store.

“They’re great. I have a really good and dependable staff here. We’re not the biggest store in the world but we make it work. Everyone tries their best.”

Sharpe explained the store has won silver awards in the past for promoting local foods during the growing season, but the gold is another level altogether.

“There are top four creative, top four cross-merchandise and top four local displays so we won for creative for our peach display last year. We made a big Bowser’s castle from Mario Brothers.”

Hardeman said displays like the one at Foodland in Ingersoll highlight the quality of locally grown items in Oxford and area.

“It’s great to recognize our local retailers for supporting area farmers by displaying the wide variety of fruits and vegetables they produce,” said Hardeman. “It’s displays like these that show how easy it is to access quality, homegrown, local produce.”

For more than 35 years, the annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have recognized the creative talent of retail managers and staff who build eye-catching promotional displays to promote Ontario grown and in-season fruits and vegetables.

This year, 63 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are being presented to 60 grocery stores across the province to celebrate excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods.

John and Wendy Cameron, owners of Sobeys Tillsonburg received a Foodland Ontario Silver Award.

“Congratulations to all the winners of the 2023 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Farming, Agriculture and Agribusiness. “Our local grocery stores play a pivotal role in getting Ontario-grown food from farm to fork. By creating eye-catching in-store displays that celebrate fresh, locally grown produce, grocery stores are helping shoppers identify and purchase Ontario products and support Ontario farmers.”

For more than 45 years, Foodland Ontario has connected with families on how to recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods. Ontario has one of the most diverse agriculture and food industries in Canada, producing more than 200 commodities, including asparagus, berries, tender fruit, apples, greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers and so many more. To know when all your local fruits and vegetables are in season, visit Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide at https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide.