Noel Rosa, left, president of Rosa Brothers Milk Company in Tulare, accepted a certificate naming it small business of the year for state Senate District 14 from that district’s senator, Andy Vidak. Photo submitted.

Tulare’s Rosa Brothers Milk Company was honored earlier this week at the California Small Business Day event in Sacramento as small business of the year for state Senate District 14.

“It was an honor to welcome Noel Rosa to the Capitol today,” the district’s senator, Andy Vidak, R-Hanford, who presented the award Tuesday, said in a written statement. “Rosa Brothers Milk Company is an outstanding small business, and we are lucky to have them in the Central Valley. Noel, Rolland, and all of their employees have built their business into one of the best dairies in California and their high-quality products are very popular across the entire state.”

“Their story is one of inspiration and determination, and they are a perfect example of how small businesses are the backbone of our economy and provide much-needed jobs in our communities.”

Small business contributes to 75 percent of California’s gross state product and over half of the state’s private-sector jobs, and California Small Business Day honored 75 small businesses for their contributions to the state’s economy, according to a Rosa Brothers press release.

“Rosa Brothers Milk Company was celebrated for their successful small business and contributions to the community,” the release continues, citing a statement by Betty Jo Toccoli, president of the California Small Business Association.

Noel and Rolland Rosa, third generation dairy farmers, began production of their milk and ice cream in September 2012 supplying them to a handful of stores. Today, Rosa Brothers products can be found in more 750 locations throughout California.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by Senator Vidak on California Small Business Day, company President Noel Rosa stated in the release. “We have a great team of employees that works hard to produce the freshest, best-tasting milk products possible, and we are happy to share our family’s farm-fresh products with California consumers.”