🍔 Canadian Food Innovators Earn Recognition at Grocery Innovations 2026
Nov 9, 2026
A number of Canadian food brands were recognized at the 2026 Grocery Innovations Canada Top 10 in Grocery awards. Among this year's winners are Calgary-based Ariya Burmese Foods, Montreal's Green Brothers and Kobraiya, each recognized for innovation in their respective food categories.
Ariya Burmese Foods won Best Specialty/Ethnic for its Spicy-Original Burmese Chili Crisp. The Canadian family-owned company began selling Burmese dishes at Calgary's Crossroads Farmers Market in 2019. Its products are now available online and through grocery stores, including Calgary Co-op, Safeway and Sobeys.
Green Brothers won Best Frozen for its plant-based Popcorn Tofu. The company prepares its food in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood. For shoppers looking for a locally produced meat-free option, it is a brand worth checking for in the frozen aisle.
Kobraiya won Best Packaging for its Spicy Achari Sauce. The company describes the condiment as a blended version of traditional Indian achar, or pickle. It says production and packing take place in Hamilton, using Canadian and imported ingredients.
Our Take
These are the kinds of businesses we want more Canadians to discover. Buying Canadian does not have to mean finding a direct replacement for the same familiar brands. It can also mean trying something new from a Canadian producer: a Burmese chili crisp, a Montreal-made tofu snack or a sauce produced in Hamilton.
The useful next step is to look for these products where you shop, check the makers' websites for availability, or ask your grocer to carry them. An industry award introduces a brand to buyers; choosing to try it gives that business a customer. That is a practical way to support a smaller producer beyond congratulating it on an award.
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