2026 Canadian Grocer Impact Award in the Community category

Equifruit is proud to announce that we've won the Canadian Grocer Impact Award in the Community category. For every 40-pound case sold, Equifruit contributes a US$1 Fairtrade Premium that farmers and workers invest in community-chosen projects from education to climate resilience. Contributions have now surpassed US$6 million since the company's founding.

2025: CanadianSME Sustainable Business Award

Equifruit won the Sustainable Business Award at the 2025 CanadianSME Small Business Awards. As the leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer with retail partners across Canada and in select U.S. states, Equifruit sees the award as proof of what it's argued from day one: fairer pay for farmers and a growing business aren't competing goals.

2026 Fairtrade Innovation & Sustainability Leadership Award

Equifruit was recognized by Fairtrade Canada for educating shoppers and retailers on the real cost of upgrading to Fairtrade bananas for an entire year (hint, it's just $10 CAD). By reframing affordability through humour, experiential marketing and data-backed storytelling, Equifruit has helped to accelerate the Fairtrade movement in Canada and deliver tangible impact for banana producers.

2025 Progressive Grocer Impact Awards (Sustainability/Resource Conservation & Community Service/Local Impact)

Equifruit received two Progressive Grocer Impact Awards for our work in Sustainability, Resource Conservation, and Community Service. From strengthening farmer communities to reducing environmental impact across our supply chain, these recognitions highlight the power of Fairtrade to create long-term, meaningful change. At Equifruit, driving impact isn’t a side project - it’s the whole mission.

2025 Sustainability in the Food Industry Award

The Shelby Report just named Equifruit a winner of the 2025 Sustainability in the Food Industry Award! Why? Because we don’t play by the old banana business rules. We’re rewriting them with 100% Fairtrade contracts that support fairer pay for banana farmers and keep our supply chain as sustainable as our values. This award is proof that doing what’s right (and having a little fun while we do it) really does pay off.

2024 Progressive Grocer's Impact Award (Ethical Sourcing/Supply Chain Transparency)

Equifruit was recognized by Progressive Grocer for Ethical Sourcing & Supply Chain Transparency. At Equifruit, we don’t just stop at paying fair prices. We also contribute $1 USD per case to a Fairtrade Premium fund, which supports impactful community projects such as housing, education, and more. These initiatives are democratically chosen by the farmers and cooperatives we partner with, because real change happens when communities take the lead.

2022 Canadian Grocer Impact Award

Equifruit won the Canadian Grocer Impact Awards in the sustainability category. This award celebrates Canadian grocery retail and CPG businesses that are going above and beyond to make the world a better place. Improving the banana industry with Fairtrade-certified bananas, check!

2021 Novae Award

Equifruit was part of the best impactful innovations of the year, those that chart the path to a positive and engaged Quebec economy. Because being a mega-ethical banana brands in Canada is so hot right now.

2020 Fairtrade Canada : Excellence in Producer Partnership

This prize recognized Equifruit for their involvement and long-term commitment in developing a sustainable business relationship with Fairtrade banana producers.

2026: Progressive Grocer's Top Women in Grocery Award

Jennie Coleman, President and Co-owner of Equifruit, was named a 2026 Top Woman in Grocery (Senior-Level Executives) by Progressive Grocer. Under Jennie's leadership, Equifruit has grown into North America's leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer, landing on The Globe and Mail's Top Growing Companies list for four consecutive years.

2026 Woman of Influence by The Shelby Report

Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit, was recognized by The Shelby Report for helping challenge the status quo in the banana industry through Fairtrade leadership, bold storytelling, and purpose-driven growth. Under her leadership, Equifruit continues to prove that paying farmers fairly and building strong retail partnerships can drive real momentum in one of produce’s most price-sensitive categories.

2025 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award

The Women’s Executive Network (WXN) just named our President, Jennie Coleman, one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women. Why? Because she’s using her power for good - fighting for banana farmers, shaking up the status quo of global trade, and proving that moral clarity always beats market share. This award is another win for Fairtrade bananas (and a major flex for team Equifruit).

2025 Canadian Grocer: Star Women in Grocery Award

Our president Jennie Coleman has been recognized as a winner of the Canadian Grocer's Star Women in Grocery award. This award celebrates Jennie's commitment to shaping the Canadian grocery industry through her dedication to Fairtrade and fair pay for banana farmers.

2024 CPMA & Grocery Business: Outstanding Women in Produce Award

The Outstanding Women in Produce Award recognized Kim Chackal, Equifruit's VP Sales & Marketing, as a remarkable woman who has made noteworthy achievements and contributions to the banana industry. It honors her leadership, creativity, and her role in helping the industry grow. This award is a tribute to her dedication and impact, inspiring others to excel in the produce field.

2023 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards

"RBC is honoured to celebrate the achievements and outstanding contributions of Canadian women entrepreneurs who have redefined industry standards and challenged the persisting barriers women face in business with their leadership, innovation, and resilience,” said Sean Amato-Gauci, Executive Vice President & Head, Business Financial Services, RBC. Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit, won the RBC Momentum Award as an exceptional entrepreneur who makes a significant difference in her communities, addresses social challenges, and advocates for positive change in the banana industry.

2023 OPMA Women's Produce Network Award

The Women’s Produce Network Award celebrates and recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who have contributed to the produce industry’s growth and development. Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit, received this award for her exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the produce industry through her dedication to Fairtrade, government policies that support agriculture workers and empowering women in business.

2023 Global Women Fresh EmpowerHer Award

Global Women Fresh has selected Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit for the EmpowerHer Company Awards, created to celebrate women and companies who lead by example in advancing the role of women across the international fruit and vegetable industry.

2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 : Quebec Ranking of Women's Businesses

Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit is included in this Quebec list that highlights businesses run by women based on economic criteria, such as the number of employees, the range of annual turnover, the sector of activity and the location of marketing markets.

2022 Finalist for Quebec Business Women Award

Jennie Coleman, President of Equifruit was a finalist for Prix Femmes d'Affaires du Québec. It's a Quebec Business Women's Prize competition that aims to recognize and promote the excellence, dynamism and audacity of women's businesses from all regions of Quebec. They are businesswomen recognized for their know-how and their interpersonal skills, their achievements convincing and their influence in all spheres of the economy of Quebec, at the local, national and international levels.

2022 The Packer: Women in Produce

Jennie Coleman, President and owner of Quebec-based Equifruit, believed in Fairtrade bananas before almost anyone else did. She has grown her company with the power of her convictions, aided by a leadership style that resonates with her employees.

2022 CPMA & Grocery Business: Outstanding Women in Produce Award

Equifruit's president, Jennie Coleman, was honored with the Outstanding Women in Produce Award by CPMA and Grocery Business. This prestigious recognition celebrates women who drive innovation and growth in the produce industry. Jennie's leadership embodies Equifruit's commitment to transforming the banana business with 100% Fairtrade practices since day one.

2026 Produce Business Marketing Excellence Award

Equifruit won a 2026 Produce Business Marketing Excellence Award for "Five Freaking Dollars," a campaign built around one question: consumers will spend $5 on a specialty latte without blinking, so why does paying banana farmers fairly get treated as too much to ask? The integrated campaign spanned trade shows, email, LinkedIn, media relations, and a dedicated microsite, earning coverage across 12 trade media outlets, reaching an estimated audience of 500,000, and generating more than 16,600 impressions on LinkedIn.

2026 Produce Business 40 Under Forty

Loubna El Wacham, Digital Marketing Specialist at Equifruit, was recognized as one of Produce Business' 2026 40 Under Forty recipients. This award celebrates the emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the fresh produce industry. Through data-driven digital marketing, retailer collaborations, and consumer education initiatives, Loubna has helped make Equifruit one of the most recognizable voices in ethical produce, and made Fairtrade bananas impossible to ignore, all while advancing Equifruit’s mission: Global Fairtrade Banana Domination.

2026 People’s Choice Award for Best Booth at CPMA

Equifruit took home the People’s Choice Award for Best Booth at CPMA with an interactive video game challenging attendees to collect our new banana cases and build the ultimate Endcaps of Destiny.

2025 Produce Business 40 Under Forty

Madison Hopper, Equifruit’s Creative Content Manager, was named to Produce Business Magazine’s 2025 40 Under Forty list - celebrating rising stars in the produce industry.
At Equifruit, Madison blends bold storytelling, pop culture flair, and real impact to bring Fairtrade bananas to life. From scroll-stopping digital content to memorable trade show booths that turn heads, she’s on a mission to make Fairtrade as lovable and shareable as your favourite meme. With a sharp eye for strategy and a soft spot for farmers, she’s redefining what produce marketing can look like.

2024 The Packer 25: leaders and innovators in fresh produce

Madison Hopper was named to the 2024 Packer 25, recognizing leaders and innovators in the fresh produce supply chain. As marketing manager at Equifruit, she creates engaging campaigns that mix humor and education to promote Fairtrade bananas. By using unique strategies like incorporating cat memes, she’s made Equifruit’s Fairtrade bananas as appealing and loved as pop culture—and it’s working well.

2024 The Packer Produce Marketer of the Year

Kim Chackal, Co-owner, VP Sales & Marketing at Equifruit, has been named Produce Marketer of the Year by The Packer. Known for her innovative marketing approach, Chackal has significantly contributed to raising awareness of Fairtrade practices in the produce industry, positioning Equifruit as a leader in ethical sourcing.

2024 the Packer's Best of SPS Marketing Awards (Website)

Equifruit won the Best Sustainable Produce Summit (SPS) Marketing Award in the website category. This prestigious award recognizes our commitment to sustainability and excellence in promoting Fairtrade bananas on our shark-infested website.

2023 Fairtrade Global Award in Innovation

Equifruit was the winner of the Fairtrade Global Award in Innovation. Fairtrade Global Awards recognize the outstanding and innovative contributions from businesses to create a fair and just global trade system across the world.

2021 The Packer's Best Of SPS Marketing Awards (Social Media)

Equifruit won the award for Best Social Media with a Sustainability Focus. Our company also received an honorable mention for best website. “Equifruit's campaigns are chock-full of cheeky and entertaining pop-culture references”, award organizers said.