Coffee Association of Canada Awards—Exemplifying Excellence in the Coffee Community

CAC Awards

Coffee Association of Canada Announces Winners of the Inaugural Exemplifying Excellence in the Coffee Community Awards

Toronto, ON, November 15, 2023The Coffee Association of Canada (CAC), a pivotal force in the nation’s thriving coffee industry, is thrilled to announce the winners of its first-ever “Exemplifying Excellence in the Coffee Community Awards.” This prestigious awards program, designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to the Canadian coffee landscape, culminated in an exhilarating ceremony at the CAC Conference in Toronto on November 9, 2023.

The winners of the 2023 Exemplifying Excellence in the Coffee Community Awards are:

Innovative Achievement of the Year

The Innovative Achievement of the Year Award being accepted by Eight50 Coffee
The award for Innovative Achievement of the Year was presented to Muna Mohammed and Eight50 Coffee for their groundbreaking Cascara Hashara Coffee beverage. This innovative drink, renowned for its novel use of the coffee cherry, was lauded for its upcycled aspect, aligning perfectly with the sustainability and environmental values that the CAC upholds.

“We’re taking coffee a step further by diversifying our products and thinking beyond the bean while leaning into ancient coffee traditions and powering forward with innovation —The Coffee Cherry is a coffee by-product and has now become the foundation for our delicious & refreshing sparkling Cascara hashara beverages,” said Muna Mohammed, Founder and CEO of Eight50 Coffee. “Thank you for recognizing Eight50 Coffee for this inaugural Innovative Achievement Award!”

Small Chain — Big Impact Award

Balzac’s Coffee accepting the Small Chain — Big Impact Award
Christine Cruz-Clarke and Balzac’s Coffee received the Small Chain — Big Impact Award. This award shines a spotlight on a coffee business that, despite its size, is creating significant industry buzz. Balzac’s Coffee Roasters stood out for their exceptional support of women in the coffee industry and the wider community.

“For 30 years, the authentic connections we built have been the consistent source of magic in our brand,” said Christine Cruz-Clarke, Chief Executive Officer at Balzac’s Coffee. “From responsible sourcing and sustainable practices to championing diversity and inclusion, Balzac’s is a proudly Canadian small business brewing positive change. Through our actions, we create moments to savor thanks to our coffee-passionate team.”

Volunteer of the Year

The Volunteer of the Year honor was awarded to two remarkable individuals - Michael Forian-Zytynsky from Keurig Dr Pepper and Caitlin McClung from Tim Hortons. Their tireless work organizing the Advocacy Day in Ottawa exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that drives the CAC forward.

Coffee Industry Lifetime Achievement Award

The Higgins family accepting the Coffee Industry Lifetime Achievement Award
The prestigious Coffee Industry Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Michael Higgins and Paul Higgins Jr. and accepted by Colleen Higgins, Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee. These two industry titans have made long-lasting and groundbreaking contributions to the Canadian coffee industry, with initiatives like WaterWise and OneTree serving as testaments to their commitment and impact.

“As a proud Canadian company celebrating 110 years, this award is a great honour for all the Mother Parkers family past and present,” said the Higgins Family.
“The Exemplifying Excellence in the Coffee Community Awards is not just about recognizing achievement; it’s about honoring the spirit and passion that each of these winners brings to the coffee industry,” said Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada. “We are thrilled to celebrate with them today, and we are even more excited about working with them in the future to ensure that Canada’s coffee industry prospers.”
We are excited to launch our inaugural Awards Program! Nominate a person or company that you think exemplifies excellence in the coffee community:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Innovative Achievement Award
Small Chain — Big Impact Award
Volunteer of the Year Award

Descriptions and criteria for each award are listed below.

Deadline for nominations is October 9, 2023. 

Nominations will be judged by an external committee. Winners will be announced at the CAC Conference on November 9, 2023 in Toronto.

Awards
Coffee Industry Lifetime Achievement Award
Innovative Achievement of the Year
Small Chain — Big Impact Award
Volunteer of the Year
Award Description
The CAC’s highest recognition for an individual whose extraordinary and ground-breaking contribution(s) has been a driving force of positive change and has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on the coffee community.
This Award recognizes a company, product or service that the Canadian coffee industry widely views as a progressive achievement that will positively benefit the future of coffee. Bonus if there is a goodwill aspect (eg. charity component, environmental or sustainability impact)
A coffee business with a minimum of 3 and a maximum 40 locations in Canada that is creating a buzz in the industry – from a marketing, product innovation, diversity & inclusion, charitable or other perspective.
This Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer whose overall leadership and contributions stood out during the past year.
Time Period of Contribution
Open-ended/lifetime
Past Year
Past Year
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
Yes (unless by special exception)
No
No
Yes
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Criteria
  • Made an outstanding and pioneering contribution to Canada’s coffee industry.
  • Had a positive, measurable and lasting impact in their community.
  • Made the industry better by driving forward change in areas such as social responsibility, equity, diversity, inclusion and promoting the industry.
  • Created a game-changing Canadian product or service for the coffee industry.
  • This innovation must make a significant positive impact on the coffee industry and add measurable value, such as reducing costs, enhancing the customer experience, promoting ethical or social change, sustainability, etc.
  • This innovation is widely viewed as a progressive achievement.
  • A small to medium sized coffee restaurant/café (3-40 locations) that is growing.
  • This chain is making an impact and creating a buzz that is being noticed by the industry – be it through products, service, innovation, sustainability, leadership etc.
  • Helps to make the CAC better for all Members by sharing their time, expertise and talent.
  • Volunteers on a CAC Committee or provides volunteer support of significance in some other manner.
  • Goes above and beyond attending regular Committee Meetings.
Submission Deadline
October 9, 2023
Award Description
The CAC’s highest recognition for an individual whose extraordinary and ground-breaking contribution(s) has been a driving force of positive change and has had a significant, profound, and lasting impact on the coffee community.
Time Period of Contribution
Open-ended/lifetime
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
Yes (unless by special exception)
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Criteria
  • Made an outstanding and pioneering contribution to Canada’s coffee industry.
  • Had a positive, measurable and lasting impact in their community.
  • Made the industry better by driving forward change in areas such as social responsibility, equity, diversity, inclusion and promoting the industry.
Submission Deadline
October 9, 2023
Award Description
This Award recognizes a company, product or service that the Canadian coffee industry widely views as a progressive achievement that will positively benefit the future of coffee. Bonus if there is a goodwill aspect (eg. charity component, environmental/sustainability impact).
Time Period of Contribution
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
No
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Criteria
  • Created a game-changing Canadian product or service for the coffee industry.
  • This innovation must make a significant positive impact on the coffee industry and add measurable value, such as reducing costs, enhancing the customer experience, promoting ethical or social change, sustainability, etc.
  • This innovation is widely viewed as a progressive achievement.
Submission Deadline
October 9, 2023
Award Description
A coffee business with a minimum of 3 and a maximum 40 locations in Canada that is creating a buzz in the industry – from a marketing, product innovation, diversity & inclusion, charitable or other perspective.
Time Period of Contribution
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
No
Self-Nomination Allowed?
Yes
Criteria
  • A small to medium sized coffee restaurant/café (3-40 locations) that is growing.
  • This chain is making an impact and creating a buzz that is being noticed by the industry – be it through products, service, innovation, sustainability, leadership etc.
Submission Deadline
October 9, 2023
Award Description
This Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer whose overall leadership and contributions stood out during the past year.
Time Period of Contribution
Past Year
CAC Membership Required for Nominee?
Yes
Self-Nomination Allowed?
No
Criteria
  • Helps to make the CAC better for all Members by sharing their time, expertise and talent.
  • Volunteers on a CAC Committee or provides volunteer support of significance in some other manner.
  • Goes above and beyond attending regular Committee Meetings.
Submission Deadline
October 9, 2023

Submit a Nomination

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