New Jersey Peach Promotion Council Releases 2013 Buyers Guide
July 22, 2013 The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council (NJPPC) has dedicated its 2013 Peach Buyers Guide to Steve Riccelli for his long service to the state’s peach industry. Now affiliated with TMK Produce, a Philadelphia-based distributor of fresh produce with a specialty in premium fruits, Riccelli specializes in selling Jersey-grown peaches.
The buyers guide is a tool for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and any other entity dealing with Jersey-grown peaches. Topics cover storage and handling, hydrocooling, quality grading, peach and nectarine varieties, and dates of availability. It also lists grower-packer members with the facilities and services they provide and sales contact information, as well as growers who sell directly to consumers.
“The NJPPC Is honored to recognize Steve Riccelli by dedicating this guide to him,” says Santo John Maccherone, chairman of NJPPC. “Steve is successful and respected, because he developed a close relationship with people in our fruit industry. His knowledge of the Jersey fruit industry goes back to his high school years, when he began pruning trees at Heritage’s Fruit Farm in Gloucester County, and he’s been building on that experience ever since.”
In 1986, Riccelli and his father, Sam, entered formed a partnership with Eckert Produce, opening Riccelli and Eckert Produce in the Philadelphia Food Distribution Center. Steve and his Dad worked hard, the business thrived; and after several years, they were able to buy out Eckert, naming the new company Riccelli Premium Produce. For both businesses, Steve marketed Jersey Fruit peaches and worked closely with growers at the Jersey Fruit Cooperative and other New Jersey peach growers. In 2004, Steve and his dad sold Riccelli Premium Produce and Steve joined T.M. Kovacevich (now TMK Produce), where he specializes in selling Jersey Fresh peaches, among many other things! Steve and his wife Donna have three daughters: Felicia, and twins Samantha and Amanda. In his spare time, Steve loves to cook, fish and has recently become involved with coaching for a sports organization for children with special needs.
For more information visit www.jerseypeaches.com.
Subscribe Today For
