Tony Singh with Honourable Naomi Yamamoto Minister of State for Tourism and Small BusinessVancouver: The winners of the 11th Annual SBBC Awards were announced on Feb 28.  417 businesses were nominated businesses in 9 different award categories. The winners were selected after at the conclusion of an intense five-month process that involved online voting, applications and live pitches to a judging panel.

Fruticana won the Premier’s People’s Choice with overwhelming online votes by the public.

Premier’s People’s Choice has been introduced for the first time; other two new categories that were added this year are – The Best International Trade, Best Workplace.

“We created the Premier’s People’s Choice Award to recognize small businesses at the heart of their communities,” said Premier Clark. She congratulated Fruiticana Produce and all the other nominees. She said, “By expanding your businesses and spurring innovation, you are all contributing to the growing culture of entrepreneurship in British Columbia.”

Christy Clark and the Province of British Columbia are also sponsoring the Premier’s Prize of $1500 cash to the winners of all nine award categories. Tony Singh – who started Fruiticana in 1994 – said he was particularly proud of this latest award because the winner was chosen by the people. “Our whole idea is to help preserve the Asian culture, but to be Canadian first,” said Singh.

 

Fruticana has 19 stores throughout Surrey, B.C. and Alberta. It has won numerous accolades and awards for business excellence over the years. Fruiticana Produce Ltd. has arrangements with more than 30 farms in B.C., the U.S., Mexico and India, all of which exclusively grow produce for the company.