Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has announced that Anthony Longo, President and CEO of Toronto-based grocery retailer Longo’s, and the Longo Family, are the 2017 recipients of the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award.

RCC's Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes senior executive(s) who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to the Canadian grocery industry. The Award recipients reflect the industry's spirit of community and trust and demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, both in the products their company offers to consumers and the leadership they provide within their organization. The recipients are recognized as role models whose passion goes beyond a lifelong dedication to the industry, demonstrating a commitment to greater good through support for charitable and community organizations.

To purchase tickets, visit: rccgrandprix.ca/gala-tickets

"RCC is honoured to award Anthony Longo and the Longo Family with this award, in recognition of their tremendous contributions to the grocery industry in Canada," said Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "Over more than six decades, The Longo Family has continued to lead by example through a strong work ethic and living its values of honesty, trustworthiness and mutual respect. Along with co-founder Gus Longo, he, his 17 family members in the business and talented Senior Leadership team, have led the expansion of Longo's across the Greater Toronto Area and growing the online channel with GroceryGateway.com, ensuring that, as a progressive independent grocer, Longo's is able to meet consumers at their various need states,” she said.

Under Anthony Longo's leadership, the company continues to be recognized as one of the most respected grocery retailers in the country, supporting growth, innovation and making a difference in people's lives through philanthropic partnerships and community support.

Anthony Longo is President and CEO of Longo's, a position he has held since 1998. Under his leadership, the company has been recognized as one of Canada's 10 most admired corporate cultures and as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed companies, sustaining a standard of excellence and leadership in all areas of the business.

He was honoured by his peers with the Retail Council of Canada Golden Pencil Award in 2006, one of the youngest recipients, in recognition of his outstanding service to the food industry. Under his leadership, the company continues to be recognized both in the U.S. and Canada for its innovation, its pledge to Team Members and customers and its diverse product selection and commitment to excellence.

Anthony volunteers on the board of a number of organizations including The Food Marketing Institute, The Grocery Foundation, Humber College Board of Governors and Salt + Light Catholic Television.

About Longo's

Longo's is a family-owned Canadian organization that started in 1956 when three brothers, Tommy, Joe and Gus opened their first fruit market. It was a small 1,500 square foot store on Yonge Street in Toronto. The family maintained a commitment to providing customers with the best fresh food experience possible. All these years later, this philosophy remains the heart and soul of the company.

Today, Longo's operates 25 full service grocery stores around the Greater Toronto Area, five Urban stores in Toronto under the "The Market, by Longo's" banner as well as www.GroceryGateway.com, the leader in online sales of home-delivered groceries. Longo's employs more than 5,000 team members and offers an environment where people have the opportunity to be the best that they can be.

The Longo Family Charitable Foundation is dedicated to the support of children's and women's charities with a strong focus on health and fostering a sense of family and community. Longo's selects worthy organizations to support and works with each one to develop an innovative partnership that brings productive results to the charity and reflects the family culture of the Longo's team.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Anthony Longo and The Longo Family at the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Gala on May 31, 2017. For further information and to purchase tickets: www.rccgrandprix.ca/gala-tickets

The Gala, taking place at STORE 2017, Canada’s largest and most important retail conference, will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre from 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm.