CIGBA/DCI Digital Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 2 | | MESSAGE FROM BARRY LANTEIGNE, DCI PRESIDENT | | |
Greetings!
The Board of Directors and I would like to thank our CIGBA/DCI Members, Supplier Partners, and Industry Partners for your ongoing and continued support.
The year has gotten off to a great start, and warmer weather is just around the corner. As we progress through the second quarter, CIGBA/DCI continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting independent retailers and enhancing supplier partnerships. We have seen steady growth in member engagement, strategic collaborations, and initiatives aimed at driving success in our industry. Looking ahead, we remain focused on innovation and providing valuable resources to our network.
This year’s Annual Business Summit, Leaders United: Building Partnerships, Driving Performance and Charity Golf Classic are less than 2 months away. The Business Summit will take Place Tuesday, June 2nd, at the Toronto Pearson Convention Center. The Summit provides our network with the ability to connect with our supplier partners and fellow members, exchange ideas and best practices, learn about market and category trends that are impacting the industry and your respective businesses, and celebrate the accomplishments of members and partners within the CIGBA/DCI community. Registration is well underway, and the DBX booths are all sold, but we have started a waiting list for up to 6 more partners. Please contact the DCI office to confirm availability. Partners may still register and join the afternoon Presentations, Mix and Mingle, and Gala Awards if interested. To register today, please visit https://cigba.ca/summit.
The CIGBA/CFIG/DCI Charity Golf Classic will take place on Wednesday, June 3rd, at the Royal Woodbine Golf Club. Please visit our website for more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities. https://cigba.ca/golf
The benefits realized from DCI membership and supplier partners continue to grow in terms of value and numbers, and we are confident that collectively, we will all realize the continued value of our partnerships. We greatly appreciate and welcome your feedback and suggestions as we plan for the future.
As always, I am here to support our members and supplier partners. Please reach out to me as required, and I will be more than happy to help you in any way possible! I can be reached at 905-681-3933 or barry@distributioncanada.ca
Sincerely,
Barry Lanteigne
Director of Operations/President
CIGBA/Distribution Canada Inc.
(905) 681-3933 x 101
barry@distributioncanada.ca
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CIGBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Representing our Membership coast to coast
| | *Executive Board Member / DCI Board Director | | SAVE THE DATE - CIGBA/DCI 2026 NETWORKING EVENTS | | |
The CIGBA/DCI Business Summit is an annual event organized by the Canadian Independent Grocery Buyers Alliance (CIGBA) and Distribution Canada Inc. (DCI). It serves as a premier gathering for independent grocers, wholesalers, and suppliers across Canada, fostering collaboration, networking, and business development within the grocery industry.
📅 Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
- Location: Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Ave E, Brampton, ON L6T 4L7
- Registration Deadlines:
- Full Day Summit: May 8, 2026
- Dinner Only: May 22, 2026
🔄 Key Features
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DBX (Distribution Canada Inc. Business Exchange): A series of fast-paced, one-on-one meetings facilitating discussions on new products, promotions, and business strategies between retailers and suppliers.
- Partner Deals & Power Buys: Exclusive, aggressive pricing and promotional deals curated for members.
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Star Awards Gala Dinner: An evening event recognizing excellence in the industry across various categories, including Retailer of the Year, Partner of the Year, Innovation Award, Social Responsibility Award, Leader of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Networking Opportunities: Various sessions designed to connect members, partners, and industry colleagues, emphasizing the power of collaboration.
📝 Registration Information
The Summit is exclusive to current CIGBA members and DCI Supplier Partners. For information on membership or to register, please visit the official CIGBA Summit page. If you need assistance with registration or have further questions about the event, feel free to contact the CIGBA/DCI office!
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The CIGBA/CFIG Charity Golf Classic is an annual event organized by the Canadian Independent Grocery Buyers Alliance (CIGBA), Distribution Canada Inc. (DCI), and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG). This charity golf event serves as a premier networking opportunity for the grocery industry, bringing together independent grocers, suppliers, and industry professionals to support a charitable cause!
📅 Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- Time:
- 08:00 AM: Registration & Light Breakfast
- 09:30 AM: Shotgun Start
- 02:30 PM: Cocktails & Mix + Mingle
- 03:30 PM: Dinner & Prizes
- Location: Royal Woodbine Golf Club, 195 Galaxy Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6R7
- Charity of Choice: Food Banks Canada
- Registration Deadline: May 22, 2026
🎯 Event Highlights
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Networking Opportunities: Connect with key business partners, suppliers, and industry colleagues in a relaxed and engaging environment.
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Contests & Prizes: Participate in various on-course contests such as "Closest to the Pin" and "Longest Drive," with prizes sponsored by industry partners.
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Product Sampling: Enjoy product displays and sampling from leading suppliers, offering a taste of the latest offerings in the grocery sector.
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Charitable Support: Proceeds from the event support a designated charity, fostering community engagement and corporate social responsibility.
📌 Registration & Inquiries
If you have any further questions or need assistance with registration, feel free to contact the CIGBA/DCI Office!
| | JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! | | |
Food World Supermarket
Greater Toronto Area, ON
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Persia Foods
Vancouver, BC
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Technodil Canada/TG Store
Pickering, ON
| | | JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR NEWEST SUPPLIER PARTNERS! | | Food Service Packaging and Custom Branding Options | | | Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Natural Cotton, Recycled Cotton, Jute, Juco, Non-Woven, Thermal Bags, Trolley Bags | | | Stand alone Health Savings Account (HSA). An alternative to group benefits. | | | Grocery Store Fixtures and Smallwares | | | Self-Contained Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers | | | Toners, Thermal Paper, Copy Paper, Gloves, Office Supplies | | | Organic, gluten-free legume and wholegrain Felicia pasta | | | Ontario Lottery and Gaming | Lottery Terminals, Kiosks | | | SHORT ON TIME? VISIT DCI SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES | | |
Only have a couple of minutes? Check out the DCI Social media pages on Facebook, X and LinkedIn. Major public announcements are always posted on our social media and you can often find other industry bits of information shared on our pages.
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Grocery Code Office Elects First Permanent Board of Directors
The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct has elected its first permanent board of directors, marking an important step in the continued rollout of the Canada Grocery Code of Conduct.
The newly elected board includes representatives from across the grocery supply chain, including retailers, suppliers, and distributors. Members come from various organizations such as Burnbrae Farms, Loblaw Companies Limited, and independent retailers including Vince's Market and Powell's Supermarket.
Industry leaders say the formation of a permanent board represents a significant milestone for the Grocery Code, which aims to promote fair dealing, transparency, and stronger relationships between retailers and suppliers across Canada’s grocery sector.
The board will provide governance and strategic direction as the Code continues to be implemented across the industry, supporting a more consistent and collaborative grocery supply chain for retailers, suppliers, and consumers.
The new board includes:
Iain McRuvie, Burnbrae Farms
Steve Roosdahl, BCfresh Vegetables
Pierre Morin, Boulangerie Humanité
John Danyluk, Earth's Own Food Company
Martin Payant, Unilever Canada
Rhonda Mitchell, The Clorox Company of Canada Ltd.
Stacey Kravitz, UNFI Canada
Giancarlo Trimarchi, Vince's Market
John Pritchett, Powell's Supermarket
Rob Allsop, Empire Company Limited
Jodat Hussain, Loblaw Companies Limited
Marc-Andre Bally, Costco Wholesale Canada
[Source: Canada Grocery Code office elects board of directors]
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Chapman’s Supports Youth Programs with Funding for Hanley Institute
Chapman's Ice Cream has announced a new funding commitment to support youth programming at The Hanley Institute in Flesherton, Ontario.
The company has pledged $25,000 annually for five years, totaling $125,000, to help the organization continue delivering programs for young people in the region.
Founded in 2019, the Hanley Institute provides after-school programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities for youth aged 12 and older, with more than 100 students participating in its programs each week.
The funding will help cover essential operating costs such as utilities and building maintenance, allowing the organization to continue supporting youth and expanding its programming.
Chapman’s says the investment reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting communities and youth initiatives across Canada.
[Source: Chapman’s provides crucial funding for Hanley Institute]
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Galleria Supermarket Opens New Flagship in the GTA
Galleria Supermarket has expanded its presence in the Greater Toronto Area with the opening of a new flagship store in Thornhill, Ontario.
The new Galleria Supermarket K-Town location, situated at 300 Steeles Ave. W., is the largest store in the company’s network and is designed to serve as a cultural and retail hub for the region. The 37,000-square-foot space aims to go beyond the traditional grocery format by combining food retail, dining, and lifestyle experiences in one destination.
Along with fresh produce, grocery, and household products, the store features the chain’s largest deli kitchen for freshly prepared meals and a cooking class studio for community programming. A food court called Galleria Avenue will include several vendors offering Korean and Asian cuisine, while a dedicated retail space will carry popular K-beauty products.
Company representatives say the new flagship is intended to introduce Korean food and culture to a wider audience while serving both the local Korean community and the broader multicultural population across the GTA.
The opening marks another step in Galleria Supermarket’s growth as it continues to expand its footprint in the region.
[Source: New Galleria Supermarket Flagship Store]
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Rabba Fine Foods Donates Over 2,000 Pounds of Food to Support Mississauga Families
Rabba Fine Foods has donated more than 2,000 pounds of food to Food Banks Mississauga as part of its Easter community support efforts.
The donation was made through Rabba’s Rabba Roots Community Giving Program and included a variety of essential food items intended to help local families during the holiday season. The initiative was supported by supplier partners including Burnbrae Farms and Maple Leaf Foods.
The contribution aims to help address growing food insecurity in the region, where thousands of residents rely on local food bank programs for support. Donations like these help provide nutritious food options for families and individuals who may be facing increased financial pressures.
Rabba says the initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves and working with partners to help ensure neighbours in need have access to essential food during the Easter season.
[Source: Rabba makes huge Easter donation to Food Banks Mississauga]
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Ontario Considers Allowing Retail Stores to Open on Family Day and Victoria Day
The Government of Ontario is proposing legislation that would allow retail stores across the province to open on Family Day and Victoria Day.
Currently, rules around whether stores can open on these holidays vary by municipality, creating inconsistent regulations for retailers and shoppers. The proposed changes would remove the two holidays from the province’s retail closure requirements, creating a more uniform framework across Ontario.
If the legislation passes, retailers would have the option to remain open on these days, though they would not be required to do so. Worker protections would remain in place, including public holiday pay, premium pay, and the right for many retail employees to refuse holiday work.
The province says the goal is to give businesses greater flexibility while offering consumers more convenience and allowing employees the option to work additional shifts at higher pay. Officials hope the changes could take effect in time for Victoria Day 2026.
If approved, the policy would apply only to Family Day and Victoria Day, with existing closure rules for other statutory holidays remaining unchanged.
[Source: Grocery Stores could stay open on Family Day and Victoria Day]
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M&M Food Market Launches Campaign to Redefine “Homemade” for Busy Families
M&M Food Market has launched a new campaign encouraging Canadians to rethink what “homemade” meals can look like for busy families.
The campaign promotes the idea of “homemade-ish” meals—using convenient prepared foods while adding small personal touches at home. The initiative aims to reduce the pressure many parents feel to cook meals entirely from scratch while still providing quick, enjoyable dinners for their families.
As part of the launch, the company partnered with Canadian media personality Jessi Cruickshank to help highlight the campaign. To kick things off, the brand handed out free lasagnas to commuters at Union Station following March Break.
The campaign will run across television, social media, and in-store promotions across Canada, positioning convenient frozen meals as a practical solution for modern households.
[Source: M&M Food Market Campaign Helps Busy Families]
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Burnbrae Farms Celebrates 135 Years
This year marks a major milestone for Burnbrae Farms as the company celebrates 135 years as a Canadian family-owned business.
The company’s story began in 1891 when Joseph and Jean Hudson purchased a dairy farm in the village of Lyn, Ontario, just outside Brockville, Ontario. They named the farm Burnbrae—combining the Scottish words “burn,” meaning stream, and “brae,” meaning hillside.
Burnbrae’s connection to the egg industry began decades later when the founders’ grandson, Joe Hudson, brought home 50 chickens as part of a high school project in 1943. What started as a small venture gradually expanded, eventually evolving into one of Canada’s leading egg and egg product companies.
Now in its sixth generation of family ownership, Burnbrae Farms has grown into a nationally recognized brand, supplying Canadians with a wide range of eggs and egg products while maintaining its focus on quality, nutrition, and innovation.
As the company celebrates its 135th anniversary, Burnbrae Farms continues to recognize the contributions of the farmers, employees, partners, and customers who have supported the business throughout its history.
[Source: Burnbrae Farms: Celebrating 135 Years of Canadian Farming]
| | DCI MEMBER PORTAL PROVIDES THE LATEST UPDATES | | |
By logging into the portal, you will get access to your company's rebate reports. As well, any important announcements regarding changes in agreements will also be posted internally on the portal.
What else does the portal provide?
- new supplier partner agreements
- new programs and promotions
- revised supplier partner agreements and rebate scales
- your member reports
- the DCI by-laws
- the CIGBA by-laws
- summary of volume rebates
- AGM information
- education and resources
If you don't have login credentials to access the Member Portal, click here to email Michele at DCI.
Once you've checked the portal for information and still don't see what you are looking for, please email or call the DCI office with your inquiry.
| | NEW ADVERTISING AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPLIER PARTNERS | | |
Looking to better connect with Independents in the highly competitive digital space?
We've tailored a brand new advertisement and marketing package available for our Supplier Partners to utilize!
Now, with the help of DCI, Supplier Partners can send:
- Tailored non-competitive e-blasts direct to Member's mailboxes
- Newsletter advertisement with reduced rates for year long bookings
- Website advertisement on both DCI and CIGBA pages
- Digital real estate space within the Member Portal (available for 12 months)
- Social media posts across three platforms
If interested, email nicole@distributioncanada.ca to get started or to inquire!
| | PARTNERS OF THE MONTH PROGRAM WITH DCI | | |
WHAT MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW:
Check your inbox every 1st of the month to see the new Partners highlighted for the month. They can be Partners with Power Buys and deals or Service Partners who want to highlight all that they have to offer. If you can't find the email, you can always login to the Member Portal and access the deals under "What's New". Click here to access the Member Portal.
WHAT PARTNERS NEED TO KNOW:
Looking to get in the mailbox of the Independents? Let DCI help you with any seasonal programs, new item or product launches, and quick sells. Our "Partners of the Month" program highlights up to 5-10 different Supplier Partners each month, and provides DCI members with monthly deals and incentives (if applicable), or a highlight of your services, if you're a service provider. This program is great for an increase in exposure (as a Partner) and to capitalize on great product deals or new service opportunities (as a Member). For more details and eligibility, please contact the DCI office.
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All DCI Supplier Partner Vendors now have access to their Vendor page! By logging into the portal, you will get access to the most current Membership List, and Purchase Input of Sales Form. Once logged in you will now be in control in seeing the current agreement, sell sheets, pricing lists and company brochures that is currently Member-facing on your company page!
Take the time to review your CTA (Cooperative Trade Agreement), whether your sales and product sell sheets are relevant, and review pricing lists. If you notice your Vendor page being pretty bare, connect with us so we can upload documents for you and make your page more enticing for Members to view and connect with reps!
Connect with us to get your page up-to-date.
| | DCI COMMUNICATIONS AND EMAIL CAMPAIGNS | | |
Breaking news, industry announcements, new agreements, Partners of the Month, and other opportunity buys are always sent out through email. This allows us to target our communication by location, type of store, and relevancy as well as give us detailed reporting on who is opening the announcements, which links they have clicked on and where to allocate our efforts for outreach if members haven't opened up these communications.
By ignoring emails or allowing them to go to your spam/junk folders, you could be missing incredible buying opportunities, programs, or helpful industry tips to better the success of your company.
Please email the DCI Office to see which members of your company currently receive our communications (we segment by multiple lists, so be sure touch base with DCI if you aren't aware as to who is receiving which communications).
| | MEMBERS, STAY CONNECTED WITH DCI! | | |
Retailers, are you missing out on our messages? We send out aggressive pricing promotions, power buys, new partner announcements and informational resources dedicated to the success of your business.
Please take the time to review:
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that our emails are going to the correct person at your company
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that our emails aren't getting sorted into your Junk/Spam folder. If that is the case, be sure to whitelist our domain (@distributioncanada.ca) to ensure you are receiving all of our information
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that someone from your company is registered to order products on OrderEase (the DCI Power Buy ordering software)
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that someone from your company is registered and has access and login to the Member's Portal
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that you send in your reports when asked to allocate proper rebates with certain vendors
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that you check your mailboxes every month on the 1st for the Partner of the Month deals and promotions. Make this routine and know that you only have until the 15th to order products with aggressive deals.
| | SUPPLIER PARTNER? If you are interested in running a promo, submitting material for education and resources or to advertise with DCI and the independent retailers, please email: barry@distributioncanada.ca | | | | |
