Application Deadline: July 13, 2026
About
About the CFIG National Scholarship Program
The CFIG National Scholarship Program was created to support and celebrate the next generation of leaders within Canada’s independent grocery sector. Each year, the program recognizes outstanding high school and post-secondary students who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, and a passion for innovation in independent retail.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShDLk7D7Q0A&t=5s
2025 Scholarship Winner
Chloe Kim
National Award
- 1 Winner – $15,000
- Invited to attend the Independent Grocer of the Year Gala in Toronto
- Recognized at Grocery Innovations Canada
Regional Awards
4 Total – $3,250 Each
- (1) University/College – East
- (1) University/College – West
- (1) High School – East
- (1) High School – West
Applicants must:
- Be a Canadian resident studying in Canada
- Be enrolled (or planning to enroll) in a minimum 2-year post-secondary program
- High School Applicants: Must be graduating students
- College/University Applicants: Must have at least one more year of study remaining
- Be working for a current CFIG member (Retail, Associate, Affiliate) OR be a family member of an employee of a current CFIG member
- Submit a complete application with accurate information
- Submit original work (Plagiarism will not be accepted)
Applications MUST include:
1,000-Word Essay
Properly referenced.
Topic:
How can independent retailers deepen customer relationships in innovative ways that boost their competitive edge in a fast-changing, dynamic market; and motivate more young Canadians to explore independent retail as a rewarding career?
(Essays exceeding 1,000 words will not be judged.)
Short Video (Max 5 Minutes)
-
Introduce yourself
-
Identify the resources used in your essay
Academic Profile
-
List of academic achievements
-
Awards
-
Extra-curricular activities
Official Transcript
Email to: membership@cfig.ca
OR mail to:
CFIG
200 Consumers Rd. Suite 200
Toronto, ON M2J 4R4
Completed Application Form
* We encourage all applicants to meet with their CFIG contact and ask questions to learn more about the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.
Key Dates
Mark your calendars! Don’t miss the window to apply for the Scholarship Program
Program Closes
Monday, July 13, 2026
Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Past Winners
Explore our past winners and discover the independent grocers who have been recognized for outstanding performance across Canada.
2025 Winners
View
National Winner
Chloe Kim
Galleria Supermarket
West
Oliver Matisz
High School — Choices Markets Kitsilano
Reid Decillia
College/University — Lethbridge
East
Gabriel Rowsell
High School — Coleman Coner Brook
Ella Norland
College/University — SUNRIPE Freshmarket
2024 Winners
View
National Winner
Song Yu Li
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited, Midtown Market (Calgary, AB)
West
Kade Ferriman
High School — Pattison Food Group (Langley, BC)
Halle Andreasen
College/University — Body Fuel Organics (Regina, SK)
East
Colby Hurst
High School — Chesley Grocery Store (Chesley, ON)
Hayley Hartman
High School — SUNRIPE Freshmarket (Sarnia, ON)
2023 Winners
View
National Winner
Riley Druken
Atlantic Grocery Distributors (Bay Roberts, NL)
West
Emily Mack
High School — Brunskill Pharmacy (Saskatoon, SK)
Korah Sanderson
College/University — Sobey’s Nottingham (Sherwood Park, AB)
East
Andrew Pittman
High School — Colemans Food Centre (Corner Brook, NL)
Halle Andreasen
College/University — Body Fuel Organics (Regina, SK)
2022 Winners
View
National Winner
Siena Dean
High School
Lena Kahn
East
College / University
Alexandra Arsenault
East
Halle Andreason
East
Jaime Grimm
East
Manvir Samra
West
2021 Winners
View
National Winner
Jillian Ohm
Milverton Foodtown
West
Violet Holmes
High School — IGA (Georgia Main)
Jaime Grimm
College/University — IGA (Georgia Main)
Ziad Zahoui
College/University — Save-on-Foods
East
Damon Ma
High School — Lassonde
Daniel Tortis
College/University — Longo’s Bros
Jenna Lee Ralph
College/University — Atlantic Grocery Distributors
Video Winners
Sydney Hunt
East Video Winner — Atlantic Grocery Distributors
Tyler Weninger
West Video Winner — Save-on-Foods
2020 Winners
View
National Winner
Sophie Semeniuk
Save-On-Foods (Edmonton, AB)
West
Abbie Good
High School — Save-On-Foods (Red Deer, AB)
Allison Detta
College/University — Save-On-Foods (Kimberley, BC)
Marina Verones
College/University — Save-On-Foods (Coquitlam, BC)
East
Emilee Morahan
High School — Smylie’s Your Independent Grocer (Trenton, ON)
David Shin
College/University — Galleria Supermarket – York Mills (Toronto, ON)
Adam Kouri
College/University — Smucker Foods Canada (Markham, ON)
2019 Winners
View
National Winner
Alison Victoria Livingstone
Kraft Heinz (Burnaby, BC)
West
Kaitlyn Kuzma-Wells
High School — Buy-Low Foods (Port Alberni, BC)
Jeanette Wu
College/University — Save-On-Foods (Port Coquitlam, BC)
Joseph Patrick Hodgson
College/University — Save-On-Foods (Summerside / Edmonton, AB)
East
Jenna Lee Ralph
High School — Atlantic Grocery Distributors (Bay Roberts, NL)
Raffaele Giuseppe Cramarossa
College/University — Loblaw (Brampton, ON)
Sydney Hunt
College/University — Atlantic Grocery Distributors (Bay Roberts, NL)
2018 Winners
View
National Winner
Sonya Zhang
Parmalat Canada
West
Bethany Wilde
High School — Rooster’s Country Marketplace
Brogan Beechinor
College/University — ConAgra Brands Canada
Gideon Mentie
College/University — Freson Bros. (Brooks, AB)
East
Rosalind Liang
High School — OPAY Inc.
Anoosh Butt
College/University — Unilever Canada Inc.
Felix Chan
College/University — Unilever Canada Inc.
2017 Winners
View
National Winner
Megan Brenkel
ConAgra Brands
West
Kelli Weinkauf
High School — J & S Confectionery
Justin Chen
High School — Coalharbour Urban Fare
Emily Haugen
College/University — Nesters Market
East
Emma Marchand
High School — PepsiCo Foods Canada
Sarah Alfonsi
College/University — Sun Valley Market
Hayley Jacobs
College/University — Tree of Life Canada
2016 Winners
View
National Winner
Raffaele Cramarossa
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. ($6,000)
West
Kristen Unrau
High School — Buy-Low Foods ($2,000)
Nadia Lepak
College/University — Quality Foods ($2,000)
Brianna Rota
College/University — Overwaitea Foods #33 ($2,000)
East
Taylor Nadine-Petten
High School — Atlantic Grocery Distributors – Powell Group ($2,000)
Adam Kouri
College/University — Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. ($2,000)
Sarah Anne Alfonsi
College/University — Sun Valley Market ($2,000)
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