LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2025

LCBO NOTES

From our President & CEO

Dear friends,

brings Rosh Hashanah, Franco Ontarian Day (the LCBO offers service in French in communities across Ontario) and of course the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, an important day for collective reflection. We support a culture of inclusion both within the LCBO and in our province, and we are committed to breaking down systemic barriers and advanc ing equitable representation for the Good of Ontario. One way we walk the walk is through our Black Beverage Alcohol Business Grant in partnership with Black Opportunity Fund (see p. 56): This year, we have awarded seven non-repayable grants of $20,000 each to Black Canadian beverage alcohol entrepreneurs. Starting on September 25, we’re also launching our Support Local in-store fundraising campaign in support of food security. As the demand on Ontario’s food banks continues to grow, the campaign will raise essential funds for com munity organizations advancing food security. Summer may be winding down, but we’re stocking up with new brands and exclusive products you can only find at the LCBO, includ ing fresh Vintages releases and VQA Ontario wines, plus spirits and seasonal beers. Come and see for yourself or have a look online. With best wishes for a safe and bountiful autumn,

If there’s one thing better than summer in Ontario, it’s a glorious Ontario fall. This is har vest season, when vineyards in regions across the province are bustling with energy as grow ers work to capture the best of what the season has offered. Every autumn, we celebrate their achievements by focusing on the incredible products that come from our beautiful province and on the people who make them. It’s a pleasure to showcase such world-class quality—and to do our bit to help local producers thrive. We make it easy to find Ontario products in our stores and online (check out The EH List at LCBO.com), and our LCBO Product Consultants and Ontario Wine Country Ambassadors are eager to help too. They’ve been visiting wine country to learn all about the winemaking process, sustainability efforts and food pairing principles—knowledge they’re delighted to share through expert recommendations and hosted VQA tastings at LCBO stores across Ontario. If you need more incentive to try local, between September 14 and October 11, you can earn 75 Aeroplan points when you spend $50 or more on Ontario VQA products, or 25 points when you spend $25 or more, in-store or online. From October 12 to November 8, earn double the points when you buy three spirits products. There are so many occasions to mark as we head into autumn. Thanksgiving and Halloween are on the horizon, but this month

GEORGE SOLEAS President & CEO, LCBO

PORTRAIT BY CARLYLE ROUTH

10

———————— AUTUMN 2025