Washington —  Mystic businesswoman Carla Bartolucci, president of Euro-USA Trading Co. Inc., was named by the U.S. Small Business Administration Thursday as this year’s Small Business Person of the Year winner from Connecticut.

Euro-USA Trading Co. Inc., is the manufacturer of Bionaturae and Jovial, leading brands of organic foods that are distributed nationwide in supermarkets and natural food stores.

Bionaturae has been the leading organic pasta company in the U.S. for over a decade, while Jovial is known for bringing back einkorn, the most ancient species of wheat that grew in the Fertile Crescent 12,000 years ago. Carla is the author of the cookbook "Einkorn: Nature’s Original Wheat" published by Clarkson Potter in 2014, and the host of culinary getaways at a 17th century villa in Tuscany.

"I am honored for this recognition, which I share wholeheartedly with the dedicated employees of our fabulous company, and the people who support our mission to create products for the health and well-being of all," Bartolucci said in a news release.

The company was founded in 1996, when Carla became interested in the emerging organic food market after losing both of her parents to cancer.

In 2015, Carla purchased the historic John Randall homestead in North Stonington, which dates back to 1685. The property is now home to the company's new 28,000-square-foot facility, designed by Friedrich St. Florian, known for his work on the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Carla plans to renovate the historic buildings on the Randall property for events that promote traditional foods. The company employs 21 people and strives to create the highest quality foods for people who suffer with food allergies and celiac disease.

Winners have been invited to attend ceremonies April 30 - May 1 in Washington, D.C., where they will be honored with their individual award, along with recognition of the three runners-up and the naming of the 2017 National Small Business Person of the Year.