THE CIGBA/DCI STAR AWARDS
Since its inaugural year in 2017, the awards night recognizes our key Supplier Partners, Retailer Members, Innovative Products and Initiatives that are happening in our industry. Recipients are revealed live at the CIGBA/DCI Business Summit Gala Dinner.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED
2026 Star Awards Categories
★ CIGBA/DCI RETAILER OF THE YEAR ★
This award is given to a Retailer who has been monumental within the food retail industry. Whether it be an increased image or branding presence, innovation in the marketplace, or general accountability, this award exemplifies the outstanding work that is currently being done to help further the success of our industry.
2026 Nominees:
Greco’s Fresh Market
Pino's Get Fresh
Vince's Market
Bonanza Supermarket
Rabba Fine Foods
Starsky Fine Foods
Farmboy Markets Ltd
Central Fresh Market
Summerhill Market
Stongs Market
★ CIGBA/DCI PARTNER OF THE YEAR ★
This award is given to a DCI Supplier Partner who has been monumental within the food retail industry. Known for their outstanding business relationships including ease in which they conduct business and availability, or their experience as a leader and advisor, this award exemplifies the outstanding work as a preferred DCI business Supplier Partner within the industry.
2026 Nominees:
Sobeys Wholesale
CJR Wholesale Grocers
Maple Leaf Foods
Chen’s Enterprises
Toronto Popcorn Company
Chapman's Icecream
Covered Bridge Potato Chips
Lassonde Inc.
Federated Insurance
★ CIGBA/DCI SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD ★
This award is given to a Retailer or Supplier Partner who has shown commitment or leadership within a community-based initiative, a green/environmental initiative or a charitable initiative.
2026 Nominees:
Vince's Market
Rabba Fine Foods
Maple Leaf Foods
Goldsmith's Farm Market and Bakery
Powell's Supermarket
Mike Dean Local Grocer
Commisso's Fresh Foods
Food Fare
La Mantia's Country Market
Galleria Supermarket
★ CIGBA/DCI INNOVATION AWARD ★
This award is given to a CIGBA/DCI Member or Supplier Partner who has established an innovative product or initiative in the past year where their results have proven success with their sales, traffic, branding/exposure, or new business deals and ventures.
2026 Nominees:
Cataldi Fresh Market
Rabba Fine Foods
Chen’s Enterprises
Maple Leaf Foods
RiverCity Innovations
Denningers
Whistler Creekside Market
Food Fare
Société En Commandite Pasquier
★ CIGBA/DCI LEADER OF THE YEAR ★
This award recognizes an individual from our industry that has shown exemplary leadership and has acted as a beacon of light and knowledge within the industry. Whether it be guiding others towards successful partnerships, or acting as an altruistic leader and inspiration, this award recognizes the hard work and dedication it takes to be a person within our industry that many respect.
2026 Nominees:
Stephen Carroll
Giancarlo Trimarchi
Jordan Schenck
Rick Rabba
Tarik Zeid
Gary Sands
Anthony Battaglia
Tony Cataldi
