From Legacy to Growth: Northeast Grocery Moves Into Spring

Happy Spring everyone!  Here’s hoping that we’re ready to shed our winter clothing and get back out in the nicer weather which is just around the corner……

Sadly, I recently learned that our industry lost a true pioneer far too early. Phil Delprete of Uncle Giuseppe’s passed away last October 16th at the age of 64.

I only found out when Lou Vele of Met Food and Steve Vasilikos of Pioneer mentioned it to me at the recent ASG buying show. Hearing the date gave me chills, it was the same week I had undergone open-heart surgery and was out of commission for quite a while, which is why I hadn’t heard the news sooner. I remember first meeting Phil when his family was deeply involved in the produce trade at the Bronx Terminal Market. R Best Produce was the company and it grew out of Phil’s years of experience working in that world. 

In 1998, alongside his brother Carl DelPrete and partner Tom Baressi, Phil transformed a small Long Island produce and deli shop in East Meadow into the first Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, a full-service specialty grocery store dedicated to traditional Italian quality, hospitality, and experience. Officially launched in 2001, Uncle Giuseppe’s quickly grew under Phil’s leadership to become a beloved regional institution, known for its fresh mozzarella and pasta made daily, handcrafted food, and warm, theatrical atmosphere reminiscent of old Italian markets which now totals 12 supermarkets and more on the horizon.  

Phil was deeply dedicated to philanthropy as well as his Italian-American heritage. As chairman of the board of the Tri-State Italian American Congress, he championed scholarships, community programs, and cultural initiatives supporting education and family welfare throughout the region and his generosity extended quietly and consistently to numerous causes, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  

Phil could be a tough businessman, but I always found him to be an engaging and humorous individual with a big heart.  He was a proud husband, father, brother, and friend who made everyone feel like part of his extended family.  He is survived by his beloved mother Mary, his wife Gail, his daughters Mary and  Melissa, sons-in-law Thomas and Myles, grandchildren Olivia, Wallace and Thomas and his brothers Carl and Joseph. He will be remembered not only as a pioneer in the Italian-American food industry but as a man who exemplified devotion to faith, family, and community. The family asks that any donations made in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. May eternal rest and perpetual light shine upon him.

Good news for all of our local produce companies. Wakefern Food Corporation is seeking local growers to join its network of suppliers and participate in its Local Produce Supplier Summit on July 15 to be held at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ.  Applications opened March 9 via the Range Me platform at https://www.rangeme.com/wakefernlocalproduce and will be accepted through March 31.

As part of Wakefern’s longstanding commitment to local sourcing, the summit offers regional farmers the opportunity to showcase their products, connect with procurement teams, and explore new retail partnerships. Qualified applicants will be invited to the Summit for a day of presentations, panels, and meetings with Wakefern teams and member families.

 “Wakefern’s Local Produce Supplier Summit is a meaningful way to connect with small and mid-size growers and bring their high-quality produce to our stores, and we look forward to hosting our annual event on July 15,” said Travis Riepenhoff, group vice president of fresh Procurement for Wakefern. “Like many of the growers we work with, our Wakefern members represent family-owned food businesses that have operated for several generations. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into running a family farm, and we want growers to know that we are committed to being farm fresh here and delivering the freshest produce from their farms to our customers’ tables.”

Applicants should be headquartered in states where Wakefern supermarket banners operate, including NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE, MD, MA, RI, and NH, and selected growers may meet with Wakefern representatives ahead of the summit. Growers who attend the July 15 summit will also have the opportunity to meet with other suppliers and attendees to learn more about what it’s like to work with Wakefern. Past participants, including Hess Brother’s Fruit Company, credit the summit with strengthening valuable partnerships that support local agriculture. The family-owned company supplies apples for Wakefern’s private label Bowl & Basket line.

“Wakefern’s cooperative of family-owned supermarkets truly shares our company ethos. It means a lot to work with a retailer that supports local growers and understands the care that goes into producing high-quality fruit for families across the region,” said Mattie Leid, head of sales for Pennsylvania-based apple grower Hess Brother’s  So again, if you know anybody in that industry or want to apply for yourself, go to https://www.rangeme.com/wakefernlocalproduce .

Kudos to everyone at Big Y as they mark 90 years in business with a major expansion across Massachusetts. The Springfield-based, family-owned grocery chain hosted an event to celebrate the opening of six new stores throughout eastern and nnortheastern Massachusetts.

State leaders joined local officials and company executives at the future Saugus store to talk about Big Y’s growth, Massachusetts roots, and the hundreds of new jobs coming to the Commonwealth.  Charles D’Amour, executive chairman, said, “Considering that we started 90 years ago in a tiny little grocery store and have been able to continue to grow, to continue to still be family owned after 90 years is very exciting.”

During a ceremony at the grocer’s Saugus store, which is expected to open later this year, Michael D’Amour, president and CEO, said, “As we look ahead, we do so with clear purpose, investing in the future by creating jobs, supporting local suppliers and expanding our presence in new towns throughout the Commonwealth. Guided by our values, we are committed to responsible growth that strengthens the local economy while delivering lasting value for our customers, employees and neighbors.”  Good luck Big Y!

Jeff Mondelli of Wakefern wanted to let everyone know of a charitable event that is near and dear to him and his family.  Jeff serves on the board of directors for Breakthrough T1D – Greater Delaware Valley Chapter and one of his favorite nights of the year is right around the corner.  The annual Breakthrough T1D Gala will be held on April 11 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. It is an evening dedicated to advancing the mission of accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat Type 1 diabetes and its complications.

If you’re interested in learning more about the evening or supporting the event, feel free to reach out to Allison Tropea at [email protected].   

Get ready for March 31st.  That is the day that Goya Foods, in celebration of its 90th anniversary, will host Goya Gives Day (the 90th day of the year) with a nationwide day of service and philanthropy. Through its Goya Gives initiative, the company will donate 1 million pounds of food to individuals and families across the United States.  Nearly 200 volunteers for non-profit organizations, local businesses, and law enforcement will pack thousands of bags of food at Goya’s New Jersey headquarters.  Goya facilities and more than 100 partner organizations across the country and around the world will participate in this coordinated day of giving, reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting communities and fighting food insecurity.

Great job once again Goya!

Well, that will do it for now.  I’m very much looking forward to the Spring and all it will bring, which is hopefully seeing many of you out in the trade.  As always you can reach me at 201.250.2217 or [email protected].