In 1973, Joseph and Louise Daleo opened Ole Tyme Produce Inc. in a converted two-bay filling station. Joe hand-picked all fruits and vegetables for sale in the small store and established relationships to eventually expand to providing produce to schools, restaurants and catering operations.
Ole Tyme Produce, a four-generation family business, now operates out of a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility with 19 fleet-line trucks accommodating both frozen and refrigerated storage and transport.
Joan Daleo, the president since 2001, strives to build upon the original foundation of integrity, excellence and quality while establishing a vision for the next generation. “To know that my family began this journey four generations ago and I am the keeper and preserver of their name and values is incredibly gratifying at this point in my career,” said Daleo.
As the keeper of the company, Daleo has embraced a transformative strategic plan to increase profitability, the employee experience and customer loyalty to position Ole Tyme Produce, Inc. as the key regional wholesaler. Daleo continues to invest in the latest technology to support customers and teammates with real-time data while reducing the carbon footprint with more efficiency in routes.
As the largest, nationally certified, woman-owned fresh food distributor in the region, Ole Tyme Produce, Inc. manages fresh produce and products from fields to the kitchens of restaurants, hotels, caterers, clubs, casinos, hospitals and schools. Daleo is at the center of these operations and, according to her staff, she exemplifies the qualities as a Titan to the fullest.
“Joan displays the characteristics of a Titan through her mentorship of the next generation of leaders in the produce industry, her coast-to-coast travels to meet with market leaders and tour facilities, the guidance she provides to help businesses and organizations get to the next level of success and her advisory role on local and national executive committees,” said her staff.
The family business and growth are important to Daleo and she makes it a priority to share her knowledge as a market leader to better network partners. “It means fulfilling a life-long dream to change and affect people’s lives through business,” said Daleo. “I have watched people who did not start with the best or most stable foundation, grow, learn and contribute in ways that are often beyond reach.”
For her ability to add growth and meaning to a four-generation family business, Daleo has been named a Titan.