It’s always exciting when a new generation member joins a family-owned company, but three coming on board within a few years is really something to applaud.

That is exactly what has happened at D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York Inc., located at the Hunts Point Produce Market. Next generation members Kevin D’Arrigo, Brian D’Arrigo and Peter D’Arrigo have all joined the family business over the past few years.

Kevin D’Arrigo, Peter D’Arrigo and Brian D’Arrigo.Kevin D’Arrigo, son of Paul D’Arrigo who is a partner and in charge of the Western Vegetable Division for the company, is now 30 years old. He started working at the family business throughout college as a warehouseman during school breaks.

He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

“Down the road, I’d like to focus on strategic planning and new product development,” said D’Arrigo. “The produce industry as a whole seems to have shifted from a supply and demand, commodity-driven business, to one that is focused much more on consumers, and meeting their needs.

“Whether it’s improved packaging, demands for environmentally responsible farming practices, emphasis on food safety or locally-sourced product, I think the trend towards an industry that shapes itself around consumer demands will continue,” he added.

He feels the industry will never get away from the core elements of quality and price, but that there will always be opportunities to make your company stand out by being the first to embrace a new trend, or lead the way with your own innovation.

“The Hunts Point Market is uniquely positioned in that it services the largest and most diversified metropolitan area, but is also a likely destination for product that is fair or oversupplied,” explained D’Arrigo. “Companies that can successfully balance the opportunities for new growth with the always-present responsibility to service and protect our shippers will be the ones that continue to strive and shape the produce wholesale market in this region.

“As the new blood at D’Arrigo, my fellow fourth-generation family members and I try to bring fresh insights and new energy into our already well-established company,” he added.

D’Arrigo also noted that technology — especially at the Hunts Point market — is where you see the entire spectrum, from those who fully embrace the latest gadget, to those that are comfortable in their tried and tested ways.

“What’s important to remember is that it is a tool to make us more efficient — a key metric in the perishables business — but it can’t replace the hard fought relationships formed over decades with our customers and shippers that are the underlying strength of this business,” he stressed.

Peter D’Arrigo, age 26, is the son of Daniel D’Arrigo, who is not involved in the business, but is the brother of company owners; Paul, Matthew and Michael. This next generation family member is a night salesman for the company.

“I started working for the company in January 2015,” he said. “I graduated from Wittenberg University [Springfield, OH] in 2011 with a major in Sociology and minor in Business and Geography.”

This D’Arrigo family member would like to ultimately work in the fruit department, where he worked last year.

“I learned so much in a short amount of time there,” he said.

“I learned things like where certain produce comes from, the different seasonality of items, overall quality of the produce depending on the time of year and so much more. I look forward to that again in the future.”

He feels that the produce industry is a great place to have a career because it offers the opportunity to learn about new products and to visit with shippers to learn what new ideas they have, all of which he said are great experiences.

“As far as the selling aspect at Hunts Point, no two days are the same,” D’Arrigo pointed out.

“With the market having so many different venders in such close proximity, it forces the competition level to be high year round. As this continues over the next decade, the smaller venders will close their doors as the larger companies continue to grow.”

He added that as the new generation comes into the picture, food-safety certifications are becoming increasingly more valued. He believes that to be a player in the coming years, companies need to be certified.

“As this begins to unravel, the quality of produce that comes out of the Hunts Point Market will rise,” he predicts. “I’ll never forget the first time I came to the market eight years ago and noticed the amount of garbage left behind at day’s end. Mounds and mounds of boxes, smashed tomatoes, spilled onions and potatoes were all over the streets and were basically obstacles as people came for business. Hopefully with food safety being a focal point throughout the market, it will help Hunts Point to continue to make strides to clean up in the future.”

Brian D’Arrigo, 27 years old, is Kevin’s brother. He works under the leadership of his father as a western vegetable salesman.

“I currently work the night shift,” he said. “Throughout my teenage and college years I worked as a warehouseman during the summer. I officially joined the company as a salesman on November 2, 2014.”

He graduated from Fairfield University in May 2010 with a degree in finance.

Looking into the future, this D’Arrigo family member hopes to explore new revenue streams and expand the business.

“Due to its proximity to a major metropolitan area, I feel as though the Hunts Point market will continue to remain a vital part of the fresh produce distribution chain,” he said. “However, the industry seems to becoming more service oriented and customer friendly. The market will need to evolve to the changing demands of consumers to be competitive.”