“Our holiday program celebrates a family tradition: Italian chestnuts, a cherished part of our heritage for three generations,” said Yasmin Pacia chief marketing officer for the wholesaler, which is headquartered at the New York City Terminal Market at Hunts Point in the Bronx. “During this festive season, we highlight two main items — fresh Italian chestnuts, which are available from October to December, and our organic, ready-to-eat chestnuts, available year-round, but especially popular during the holidays.”

Pacia revealed that Trucco’s chestnut journey began in the United States in the early 1950s, well before they introduced the ready-to-eat variety. “The cooked line was born from a simple yet meaningful question within our family business,” she said. “Why can’t we enjoy Italian chestnuts as a snack all year long?” 

The company answered that question by helping develop the ready-to-eat chestnut and to import them on a year-round basis. “Since then, it has naturally become an extension of our seasonal offerings, allowing everyone to enjoy the exceptional quality of Italian chestnuts beyond the brief fresh season,” Pacia noted. 

The company offers several options during the holidays of both offerings. “Each type is available in multiple SKUs, carefully designed to meet retail needs,” Pacia said. “Our fresh chestnuts are beautifully packaged in seasonal bags that are ideal for the busy holiday season, and our ready-to-eat chestnuts come in convenient shelf-stable pouches, perfect for year-round displays and festive promotions.”

As one of the longer-standing commodities on its sales sheet, chestnuts are an important part of the company’s identity and at many levels very personal. “They grow in one of Italy’s most recognized chestnut regions, where the natural landscape produces the sweetness, size and consistency that retailers look for during the holidays,” Pacia said, adding that it has a special place on the holiday menu tied to tradition and seasonal cooking, which keeps demand consistent from year to year.

For the 2025 holiday season, she noted that the supply outlook is stable, with enough volume from Italy to support regular holiday movement and promotional activity.  

“At this time, we are not anticipating major disruptions that would affect the 2025 holiday period,” Pacia said. “We expect holiday sales to be consistent with last year. Consumer interest in chestnuts tends to remain steady because the category is tied to cultural traditions. The volume of fresh chestnuts depends on harvest conditions in Italy, but current indicators suggest a manageable and healthy season.”

She reiterated that while chestnuts do receive outsized attention during the holidays, Trucco treats them as a very special part of their portfolio every day of the year. “They are part of our story, our heritage, and our business foundation,” Pacia said. “Chestnuts are special.”

Photo: Yasmin and Nick Pacia