A local grocery store has been recognized at the provincial level for its cross merchandising display featuring locally sourced asparagus.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith was in Prince Edward County Friday on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman to present Andrew and Emily’s No Frills with a Foodland Ontario Retailers Award gold award for cross merchandising.

“Grocery stores, like Andrew and Emily’s NoFrills, who find creative and effective ways to showcase homegrown Ontario produce not only help their own bottom line, they link customers to healthy food options and promote our rural economy,” Smith said. “It’s important that we take time to recognize champions of local food.”

The award winning asparagus display at Andrew and Emily’s No Frills. (Submitted Photo)

Produce manager David Wright and store owners Andrew and Emily Januszkiewicz accepted the award, which is the store’s seventh from Foodland Ontario in eight years. Wright explained the winning display had a barbecue theme, featuring Greenridge Farms asparagus and complementary products.  

“It’s great to again be recognized in this way,” Andrew Januszkiewicz told the Gazette. “This award speaks the wonderful efforts of our staff and also to the incredible diversity, freshness and availability of the amazing array of what’s available from Prince Edward County farmers.”

From beets to Brussels sprouts, Januszkiewicz said the different varieties of each item grown in Prince Edward County is part of what keeps customers coming back week after week.

And, sometimes, day after day.

Wright said his department has had a great relationship with a good cross section of local farmers and the quality of what each farmer brings to the loading dock is second to none.

The annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are the produce industry’s premier competition for excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods. Retailers enter seasonal display contests, which run from mid-April to November. In 2018, over 4,250 entries were submitted, with almost 6,000 photos of compelling displays featuring fresh Ontario produce.

“Congratulations to Andrew and Emily’s NoFrills for creating award-winning displays that showcase Ontario’s fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables,” said Minister Hardeman. “Thank you for taking pride in building creative and innovative displays that encourage shoppers to take home the good things that grow in Ontario.”

The annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are the produce industry’s premier competition for excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods. Retailers enter seasonal display contests that run from mid-April to November.