George Pitsikoulis, a visionary entrepreneur born and raised in Canada from a strong Greek heritage, has a profound passion for fresh produce and sustainable business practices. His upbringing in a small family-owned greengrocer instilled in him the values of hard work, innovation, and integrity from an early age. George's father founded Canadawide Fruits, a leading distributor of fresh fruits and produce, setting the stage for George's entrepreneurial journey.
Since the early 1980s, George's family has focused on wholesale, with George assuming the role of President and CEO in the early 2000s, coinciding with the rise of international imports. Under his leadership, Canadawide has flourished, boasting over 400 staff and management, while maintaining a commitment to being first to market with innovation, quality, and value. George's dedication to sourcing new items globally and evolving the packaged offering, including the in-house brand "Frescadel," has propelled the company's success.
Beyond his business ventures, George is deeply involved in industry associations and community initiatives. He began by volunteering with the QPMA and now serves as an active past-chair and a Pillar of the Industry for Quebec. He mentors the "Next Generation" and holds positions on the CPMA, including the CPMA Executive Committee and contributing to other committees such as Marketing and Food Safety. As a director on the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) board, he leads by example as the first wholesaler to participate.
George remains connected to his alma mater, Concordia University, where he volunteers as a guest presenter in business classes and judges the International MBA Case Study Competition. In his upcoming role as CPMA chair, he will host the 100th anniversary of the CPMA in Montreal, a fitting tribute to where it all began. George's multifaceted contributions, from business leadership to industry advocacy and education, underscore his commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of agriculture.