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Who We Are

Low overhead, high ambition, and a hands-on work ethic—that’s how one of Ontario’s top tropical fruit wholesalers was born. Founded in 1908 by Italian immigrant Antonio Chiovitti, Chiovitti Banana began as a humble fruit peddling business. Antonio ran his pushcart from his home at Bathurst and Queen Streets in Toronto, building a loyal customer base one bunch at a time.Chiovitti Banana became the first distributor of Chiquita Brand Bananas in Toronto, earning a reputation for quality and reliability. In the mid-1950s, the company moved to Magnificent Rd. in Etobicoke and shortly after opened a stall at the Ontario Food Terminal, expanding its reach across the province of Ontario. As demand grew, Antonio’s son Sam, and later his grandson Ron, helped transform the business from a single-category banana supplier into a trusted tropical fruit wholesaler. Today, the Chiovitti family continues to uphold the same values of quality, service, and consistency that have guided the company for more than a century.

Our Mission

To deliver consistently high-quality bananas and tropical fruit to our wholesale partners, using a combination of time-tested expertise and modern ripening technology—while treating every customer relationship with the care and respect of a family business.

Our Vision

To be Ontario’s most trusted name in bananas and tropical fruit—recognized for our reliability, our innovation in ripening and logistics, and our commitment to doing business the right way, from farm to terminal to store.

Our Core Values

Explore the fruits we offer

From bananas to a full range of tropical fruit, we’ve built our reputation on supplying products that look great, taste fresh, and arrive at the right ripeness for your needs. Whether you’re a retailer, distributor, or foodservice operator, we tailor our programs to your volume, timing, and quality standards.

Our Story

What began as a single pushcart on the streets of Toronto has grown into a multi-generational wholesale business serving customers across Ontario and beyond. Over the decades, Chiovitti Banana has evolved—from rail-delivered banana stems hung in coolers, to advanced, pressurized ripening rooms designed for precise control. Through it all, our focus has stayed the same: deliver excellent fruit, backed by dependable service and genuine care.

Humble Beginnings

Antonio Chiovitti, an Italian immigrant with an entrepreneurial spirit, began selling bananas from a
pushcart on the streets of Toronto. With a strong work ethic and a commitment to quality, Antonio laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational family business.

Formal Incorporation and Expansio

Sam Chiovitti, Antonio’s son, formally incorporated Chiovitti Banana Co., Ltd. and established a
warehouse distribution center on Magnificent Road. Shortly thereafter, the company secured a stall at the newly established Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto—Canada’s largest wholesale produce
market—further solidifying its role in the province’s fresh fruit distribution network. During this time, bananas were shipped into Canada by rail, still attached to their natural stems. These were hung in ripening coolers, gradually brought to the desired ripeness, then cut into bunches and
sold—reflecting the hands-on, artisanal nature of early banana ripening.

Third Generation and Diversification

Ron Chiovitti, son of Sam and grandson of Antonio, took the helm of the business. Under Ron’s leadership, the company expanded beyond bananas into a full line of tropical fruits, responding to growing market demand and changing consumer tastes. This marked a pivotal step in evolving Chiovitti Banana Co. into a more diversified produce supplier.

Industry Leadership

By 1985, Chiovitti Banana Co. had grown to become the largest independent banana ripening facility in
North America. This milestone underscored the company's reputation for innovation, quality control, and efficient distribution. The company’s scale and operational excellence positioned it as a trusted partner in the Canadian produce industry.

Fourth Generation Leadership

Today, the company remains proudly family-owned and operated by Chris and Sam Chiovitti, sons of Ron and fourth-generation leaders. Together, they continue the legacy of innovation, quality, and reliability that has defined Chiovitti Banana Co. for over a century—while introducing modern technologies and sustainable practices to drive the business forward.

Humble Beginnings

Antonio Chiovitti, an Italian immigrant with an entrepreneurial spirit, began selling bananas from a pushcart on the streets of Toronto. With a strong work ethic and a commitment to quality, Antonio laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational family business.

Formal Incorporation and Expansion

Sam Chiovitti, Antonio’s son, formally incorporated Chiovitti Banana Co., Ltd. and established awarehouse distribution center on Magnificent Road. Shortly thereafter, the company secured a stall atthe newly established Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto—Canada’s largest wholesale producemarket—further solidifying its role in the province’s fresh fruit distribution network.During this time, bananas were shipped into Canada by rail, still attached to their natural stems. Thesewere hung in ripening coolers, gradually brought to the desired ripeness, then cut into bunches andsold—reflecting the hands-on, artisanal nature of early banana ripening.