The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers has named 10 grocery items, including a yogurt brand, water line and a protein tea as the most innovative new products of 2013 at the end of the annual Grocery Innovation Conference.

“From customizable frosting to shopping bags, the areas of innovation are endless,” says Tom Barlow, president and CEO of the CFIG.

Almost all the brands were small- to medium-sized companies, each from Canada, and many from smaller towns like Oakville and Port Hope in Ontario or St-Germain-de-Grantham in Quebec.

In all, there were four beverages on the list, including Happy Water (by B.C.-based Lithia Water), a natural spring and lithia water (mineral water that contains lithium salts); Oakville-based Blu-Dot Protein Tea, which contains whey protein and prebiotic fiber; Calgary-based Kienna Coffee roasters, a biodegradable and reusable coffee pod, compatible with Keurig systems; and Port Hope-based Bao Smoothies, an organic fruit from the Baobad tree, which is not pasteurized, heat-extracted, freeze dried or concentrated.

Two spreads also made the cut: Quebec-based Duhaime Deluxe, gourmet spreads sweetened by organic sugars and maple syrup, and Toronto-based Gay Lea’s Spreadable Cinnamon and Brown Sugar butter.

Other foods on the list included Parmalat’s Astro Kik, a drinkable gelatin-free youth-targeted yogurt that provides energy, and Duncan Hines Frosting Creations, a frosting base that’s easy to customize flavour-wise.

In the non-food category, Quebec’s Aliments MSU Foods’ Jet X Pert windshield wiper fluid, which can handle up to -45 degree weather, and N’Take’s durable shopping bags round out the list.

All the products were on display at the conference from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, and were voted on by delegates based on uniqueness, buzz-worthiness and consumer response.