The Sustainable Business Award 2025

Your thoughts on winning the CanadianSME National Business Award

Winning the CanadianSME Sustainable Business Award is a tremendous honour. As North America’s leading Fairtrade banana importer and a certified B Corp and women-owned business, we’ve built Equifruit on the principle that doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive. This award validates our commitment to fair pay for banana farmers and workers through 100% Fairtrade sourcing. For two decades now, we’ve been proving that sustainable practices create lasting value, for banana farmers, for our business and for the planet. We’re proud to demonstrate what’s possible when purpose and profit align. Thank you CanadianSME for recognizing our mission.

A special message or advice to small business owners

To fellow business owners: authenticity is your greatest asset. In our years reimagining the banana trade, we’ve learned that customers, employees and partners support businesses with genuine values. Don’t just pursue profit, build something meaningful. Get certified, be transparent about your supply chain and hold yourself accountable. Sustainability and social responsibility aren’t expenses, they’re investments in customer loyalty and team pride. Start where you are, commit to continuous improvement and remember that small businesses can move markets. Your values aren’t a limitation, they’re your competitive edge.

Equifruit

Equifruit is a group of diehard believers in ethical fruit sourcing. Especially when it comes to bananas. We’re righting the wrongs of banana business history by making it fair from the start, especially for farmers.

Established in 2006, Equifruit is North America’s leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer. Our bananas come from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. We’re a growing produce aisle sweetheart. Stay tuned for our Global Fairtrade Banana Domination.