2026 Great Food Sort Challenge

This year’s Great Food Sort Challenge, presented by BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman & Bleams Branch, delivered a knockout blow to hunger, raising an incredible 168,570 meals for people struggling to put food on the table in Waterloo region! 

The 10th annual event took place January 22, 23, and 26 at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s distribution centre, bringing together 30 teams of ultimate hunger fighters for some friendly competition to sort the most food and raise the most meals in support of The Food Bank. 

Day 1 

The opening bell rang as two teams from BMO Financial Group stepped into the ring to face off against each other. 

“I think we did a great job,” says Jessie White, branch manager at the BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman and Bleams branch in Kitchener. “We had a new strategy coming in to it. We worked together as a team and sorted a lot of food.” 

The next bout saw cool down sponsor Cornerstone Association of Realtors square off against champion sponsor Travers Law, followed by Region of Waterloo taking on fuel up sponsor Blendtek. 

“I think the team did an awesome job,” shares Rob Bianchin, co-CEO at Blendtek. “But we want to sort more and more and more. I hate when the clock goes to zero and we just don’t have enough time to get to the rest. But I think we did a good job and the team had a great time.” 

The intensity stayed high as RBC and MTE Consultants entered the ring. Both teams came prepared, with RBC putting in weeks of training ahead of the competition.  

“We’ve been practicing every single week,” says Darcy Krahn, branch manager at RBC. “Emphasis on quality and speed. A lot of working out. We’re all excited.” 

Not to be outdone, MTE Consultants arrived in style, wearing matching grey racing suits. 

“Our theme today is a pit crew because we’re racing to sort the food as fast as we can,” explains Fraser Cummings, division manager, hydrogeology at MTE Consultants. “We’re feeling great. We’re feeling race ready.” 

Aire One KW was the final team to step into the ring, closing out the day’s action. 

When the bell rang at the end of day 1, Blendtek stood tall at the top of the leaderboard, sorting 2,771 pounds of food. 

Day 2 

On the second day, champion sponsors CJ Brubacher and Challenger were the first to put their gloves up in the fight against hunger. 

Next to pack a punch was Unifor Local 1106 and Allianz Global Assistance, both looking stylish and sharp. Every member of the Unifor Local 1106 team wore a different apron, each featuring a different condiment. 

“We are the most wanted condiments that every food bank needs to have in their bins,” says Alicia Rivera, financial secretary at Unifor Local 1106. “We’re ready to fight against hunger in the community.” 

Allianz Global Assistance team members arrived wearing matching Hawaiian-style shirts. 

“We do travel insurance, so we are the tacky tourists,” explains Preet Kochar, account executive at Allianz Global Assistance.  

Next up, two teams from champion sponsor Steed and Evans stepped into the ring, followed by warm up sponsor Clean & Tidy and Royal LePage Wolle Realty. 

“We are ready to go,” says Shelby Behling, president of Clean & Tidy. “We’re excited. We’re ready to kick some butt and have some fun.” 

The final showdown of the day featured Dirt Cheap Inc. and Meadow Acres Garden Centre. 

When the bell rang at the end of day 2, Clean & Tidy had knocked Blendtek from the top of the leaderboard, sorting 2,913 pounds of food and taking the lead. 

Day 3 

The third and final day began with Little Mushroom Catering and OTIP kicking off the first round. 

“We’re so excited,” shares Amber Wood, senior communications and social impact advisor at OTIP. “We can’t wait to participate and have a little fun along the way.” 

“I feel amazing about our performance today,” says Jude Malinowski, office administrator at Little Mushroom Catering. “I’m so proud of our team. They did amazing. There was a lot of energy, enthusiasm, getting the boxes going, getting the food sorted… so I’m very happy with how we did today. We sorted a lot and I’m so proud of us for doing what we can for the community.” 

The next bout saw a second team from fuel up sponsor Blendtek face off against the Waterloo Regional Police Service. 

“Our team is very excited about today,” shares John Goodman, deputy chief at the Waterloo Regional Police Service. “This not our first time being here and we want to win this time around.” 

The action continued as Conestoga Meats took on TN Real Estate Group, followed by Roberts Onsite and Collaborative Structures Limited. 

The final matchup featured McIntyre Group and champion sponsor Henry Walser Funeral Home, closing out the competition. 

When the bell rang at the end of day 3, McIntyre Group had knocked Clean & Tidy from the top of the leaderboard, taking the lead with an incredible 3,086 pounds of food sorted! 

See the action and check out photos from the event! 

Over the three days, 300 people stepped into the ring to sort through 71,223 pounds of non-perishable food for the 61 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network that support the nearly 73,000 people—or one in nine households—accessing food assistance in Waterloo region. 

To help spread awareness about food insecurity in Waterloo and to raise funds for The Food Bank, teams were encouraged to fundraise for their chance to win the Most Meals Raised title, which combines funds raised with the total amount of food sorted. Together, the teams raised $54,608.80. 

Congratulations to our 2026 champions 

Most Food Sorted: McIntyre Group, as first-time ultimate hunger fighters, brought the power and speed needed to sort the most food (3,086 pounds) and win the Rookie Award. 

Most Stylish Food Sorters: MTE Consultants suited up in style, wearing matching grey racing suits.  

Most Spirited Food Sorters: Unifor Local 1106 displayed their enthusiasm with creative chants and cheers that echoed across the sorting room.  

Most Meals Raised (food sorted and funds raised): Allianz Global Assistance delivered a knockout performance against hunger, raising an impressive 18,260 meals.  

This year’s event was made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of sponsors BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman & Bleams Branch, Clean & Tidy, Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, Blendtek, Challenger, CJ Brubacher, Henry Walser Funeral Home, Steed and Evans, and Travers Law.