Trucco understands intricacies of Hunts Point
A.J. Trucco has been a staple at the Hunts Point Terminal Market since 1965.
“Hunts Point is a unique wholesale market where products worldwide meet customers that range from small independent retailers to restaurants to foodservice,” said Nick Pacia, CEO of Trucco. “We have grown at the market by specializing in specific products from dry fruits and nuts and greenhouse products to pineapple and kiwis.”
He calls having a deep dedication and love for produce as the keys to being a success on the Hunts Point Market.
“At Hunts Point, we cater mostly to walk-in business and the Tri-State area, and business is usually done via phone or in-person buying,” Pacia said. “I think anyone who steps into Hunts Point may feel overwhelmed at first, but I think we do an excellent job making any customer feel comfortable by asking questions and directing them to the right choice of product.”
Trucco is one of the biggest importers of a vast variety of branded and unbranded produce from around the world, including kiwifruit, garlic, fresh figs, citrus, dried fruits and nuts. The company’s brands include KiwiStar, TruStar and Fresco.
The company’s retailers and partners are serviced by its sister company, Trucco Inc., out in Vineland, NJ, where there is a dedicated 75,000 square-foot state-of-the-art refrigeration and packaging facility. With 2,500 pallet positions, the latest environmental, high-efficiency technologies, and brand-new advanced packing machinery, the facility is the only one in the entire East Coast specialized to storing, packing and shipping kiwifruit.
Having been in the produce business for a long time, Pacia understands that the industry can be challenging, and that was even truer this past year in the wake of the pandemic. Still, the company has hopes that 2021 will be better and things can return to normal sooner rather than later.
Looking ahead to spring, Pacia believes kiwifruits, blueberries and limes will all be trending, along with citrus and looks forward to stronger business in the year ahead.
“However, the transitioning between country of origin is more challenging than in prior years,” he said. “We have been working on these transitions since the early days of January.”
