TORONTO: September 9, 2026. Brian Bradley, Chair of Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), Ron Welke, President and CEO, and the CFIG Board of Directors are pleased to announce the 2026 Life Member Awards: (left) Jeffrey Min, Chairman, Galleria Supermarket, Life Member Award in the Independent Grocer category; (middle) Tom Szostok, Sr. VP Sales, Lactalis Canada, Life Member Award in the Industry Builder category; (right) John Tobin, VP & GM Retail Sales, Maple Leaf Foods, Life Member Award in the Industry Builder category.
Jeffrey Min explained that while he had no grocery experience before 2003, with his passion for the grocery business stemmed from his focus on customer satisfaction, which he developed through his previous work in customer service at Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea. After immigrating to Canada in 2001, Min’s journey began by operating a tofu business called “Chotang Tofu”. When a friend in Vancouver wanted to expand their similar business, that’s when Min looked at opening a grocery store, with the first Galleria supermarket opening in Toronto in 2003. There are currently eight stores in the Ontario with two more planned, plus a cash and carry location.
Tom Szostok has built a career defined by progressive leadership in the food industry, beginning at General Mills and advancing through senior roles at McCain Foods, The Campbell’s Company, Sabra Dipping Company, and Lactalis Canada. Throughout his career, Szostok has built high-performing teams, strengthened strategic customer partnerships, and supported the success of independent grocers and major retail customers alike, consistently working to deliver shared, profitable volume growth.
John Tobin is a respected consumer packaged goods executive with nearly 40 years of experience in the Canadian food and grocery industry. He began his career at Pillsbury Canada, progressing through sales, marketing, category management and senior customer leadership roles before joining Maple Leaf Foods. During his more than 25 years with Maple Leaf Foods, Tobin has held increasingly senior commercial leadership positions, including Vice President roles in Category Management, Customer Business Development and National Retail Field Sales. Throughout his career, he has led large national businesses and teams, built strong partnerships with Canada’s leading retailers, and developed longstanding relationships with independent grocers and retail organizations across the country.
All three will be officially recognized at the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year awards gala held on Wednesday, October 28, at Grocery Innovations Canada 2026 (GIC). GIC is Canada’s premier grocery exposition and conference that takes place at the Toronto Congress Centre, October 27-28, 2026 www.GroceryInnovations.com. To Register for the Awards Dinner: https://www.microspec.com/reg/GIC26/
© 2024 Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
