Legend

Inaugural Inductee

Joe & Tommy Longo

Golden Pencil recipients and brothers Joe and Tommy Longo, who passed away in 2008 and 2011, respectively, opened their first supermarket with their brother Gus in 1956. Broadway Fruit Market was a 1,500 sq. ft. store committed to providing customers with the best fresh food experience possible. In 1962, they opened the doors to Longo’s Fruit Markets in Toronto and began the expansion journey that would lead to the 36 Longo stores operating in Ontario today. In 1998, when Tommy Longo’s son Anthony Longo was appointed president and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc., the family also established The Longo’s Family Charitable Foundation, which raises funds to support and build healthier and happier communities. Tommy, Joe and Gus were awarded the Life Membership Award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), ultimately cementing the Longo’s legacy and its contribution to the industry