Ciro Porricelli, vice president of Jerry Porricelli Produce, located on the Hunts Point Terminal Market, told The Produce News that the company is celebrating 15 years in business this year, but that the family has several generations of experience in the produce industry.

“I named the business after my grandfather, who was known by ‘Jerry,’” said Mr. Porricelli.

“My father, Angelo Porricelli, took the company over from my grandfather,” he continued. “Dad turned 90 this year, and he still helps out in the office every day. He goes through our tickets and points out to me what we’re making money on and what we’re not. For example, he is astonished that we can’t do without cilantro today, when in his day he couldn’t give it away.”

Mr. Porricelli added that his father is still his mentor, and that it is great to just sit and have a cup of coffee together to talk about business and family topics.

Ciro Porricelli, vice president of Jerry Porricelli Produce, with his sister, Angela Porricelli, who oversees bookkeeping and administration. (Photo by Christina DiMartino) “People who have done business with him over the years are just amazed at how active he still is,” said Mr. Porricelli. “My mom, Carmela, is 94, and she is just as active as he is. They’re really hard to keep up with. They have been married for 63 years.”

Last year, Mr. Porricelli announced that Louis Lord had returned to the company in its sales department after a brief hiatus.

“Louis wanted to try something different, and we encouraged him to do what his heart directed, so he left for about six months,” said Mr. Porricelli. “But he realized that he really wanted to be back in the produce industry, and we are extremely happy to have him back. He is a major asset to our company.”

Mr. Porricelli oversees the buying and sales aspects of the business, and his sister, Angela Porricelli, handles the bookkeeping and administration side. The two have worked at the company together for 15 years. A younger sister, Julie Ann, also works for the company in billing and accounts receivable, but she works from her home.

Another major announcement Mr. Porricelli made is that his son, Christopher, who previously worked for the company, left to start his own company, CAP Trucking LLD, headquartered in Altamonte Springs, FL.

“We’re sad to not have him here with us, but we’re thrilled that he’s doing what he loves and that his business is going great,” said Mr. Porricelli. “He is here about once a week on a run, so we see him very often. And when I start my Ohio runs, he will be doing some of those as well.”

“It is so good to see your child happy, and it warms my heart to see him doing so well,” he added.

Jerry Porricelli Produce occupies a one unit space on the Hunts Point terminal market, and it rents a couple of trailers for additional space.

The company handles about 70 items, mostly vegetables, herbs and tomatoes. It services a good mix of retailers and foodservice operators throughout the tri-state area.

Overall, Porricelli Produce has a wonderful and loyal staff of trustworthy people who work very well together.

“It’s a team effort, just like a baseball team, and we have a winner with ours,” said Mr. Porricelli.

Movement on the East Coast is a bit slower this year because of cool weather and moisture in the southern states. But Mr. Porricelli said that things are a little tight, which is pushing prices a little higher. But he does not expect it to last long.

“Once New Jersey and Ohio start, things will level right out,” he said. “And we were already seeing a little product out of New Jersey in early May.”

He also said that increasingly more shippers are getting involved with the Good Agricultural Practices certification process.

“Two of my growers are now GAP certified,” he said. “They are Pontano Farms in Boynton Beach, FL, and J&D Farms in Edinburg, TX. But it was a very expensive proposition for them. Still, growers today know that without certifications, they may face difficulties moving their products. Everyone who plans to stay in this business will have to, at some point, move closer to certifications.”