Metro teams up with The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to offer this year’s food competition participants increased exposure, opportunities and incentives with their Locally Sourced program.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair announced a new incentive for food competition entrants at this year’s Fair. Through a partnership with Metro Ontario grocery stores, all 2019 competitors will have the exciting opportunity to be evaluated by the grocer’s product specialists, food experts and executives, with the opportunity to be selected for their Locally Sourced program. Metro will be looking for entrepreneurs on the cusp of being ready for retail, and selected partners will receive business coaching, marketing support and shelf space at Metro locations.
Since 1922, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has been Canada’s premier showcase for excellence in food products, such as honey, maple, cheese, butter and preserves. Successful competitors have seen business growth from the awards in excellence and Royal bragging rights. Royal Rosettes are helpful in promoting and differentiating brands, increasing exposure and sales.
“People are paying very close attention to where their food is coming from and who the people and businesses are behind that food,” said Charlie Johnstone, CEO of The Royal. “We knew that we wanted to build something special for 2019 that really showcased all of the great small businesses and hopeful amateurs that we see every year in our food competitions. When we saw what Metro was doing with their Locally Sourced program we knew it was a natural fit, and we are so pleased to have them on board to help present Spotlight on Local.”
As part of the partnership, successful entrants may earn distribution in Metro stores regionally or across Ontario, an introduction to Metro’s private brands or the opportunity to work with Metro to develop products and scale. This is in addition to the traditional benefits of entry into The Royal competitions – tremendous exposure at the country’s most prestigious agricultural event, with the winners featured in the Fair’s media and marketing communications.
“As a neighbourhood grocer, we are always looking to tailor our product offering to the community through our Locally Sourced program. This partnership with The Royal represents our mutual recognition and support of Ontario-based suppliers. We look forward to seeing the best that Ontario producers have to offer,” says Joe Fusco, Senior Vice President, Metro.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair annually hosts the world’s largest indoor agriculture and equestrian show. Attracting over 300,00 visitors to showcase Canada’s agriculture, food and equine excellence, the Fair will be held at Exhibition Place in Toronto this fall.
Metro Inc.
Metro Inc. is a leading grocer across Canada – as a retailer, franchiser, manufacturer and distributor, the company operates over 600 grocery stores. In Metro’s initiative to make local produce more accessible to customers and to help smaller farmers and producers the chance to be a part of the supply chain, Metro has created their Locally Sourced program.
Visit RWAF website
For more information contact foodcompetitions@royalfair.org