Caruso Produce Inc. employs several members of the Caruso family, as well as those who are “like family,” Vice President Sam Caruso says.

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The family owned Caruso Produce Inc. has set itself apart from other produce wholesalers by instilling a level of personality in its service, Vice President Sam Caruso says. For instance, “We show our faces [to our clients],” he says, noting that members of the company’s staff are in its customers’ stores “every week.” Caruso Produce’s workers also prefer to have conversations with clients “face-to-face rather than over the phone,” he says, noting that he personally travels 40,000 miles per year to visit clients. “We [bring a] personal touch.”

Based in Tualatin, Ore., the company distributes produce to major chain and independently owned grocery stores. Caruso’s grandfather, Sam Caruso, started the company in 1945 with his brothers, Joseph and Anthony Caruso.

At the time, “Joseph and Anthony were farmers,” the younger Caruso says, noting that the two needed a better market for their produce. The company stayed at its warehouse location in Portland, Ore., until 1994.

Today, Caruso Produce occupies a 35,000-square-foot location in Tualatin, where the company processes such items as bananas. “[Bananas are] one of the No. 1 items in the whole grocery store, actually,” the younger Caruso says. “We pretty much [carry] everything from apples to zucchini.” The company employs a staff of 65 that includes Caruso’s father, Joe Caruso, who is president; his aunt, Kathy Nuno, who manages the company’s office; and his cousin, Monica Nuno, who is in charge of data entry.

In addition, Sam’s Caruso’s cousin, Kevin Canty, manages the company’s night crew, while his other cousins, KC and Christopher Canty, are also members of its staff. “KC runs shifts at night [and] is in charge of shipping and receiving,” Sam Caruso says. “Christopher [drives the company’s trucks] and provides in-store customer assistance when he is not playing music in his band.

“We’ve got all kind of family working down there,” Sam Caruso says, adding that his cousins, Gabe and Mike Caruso, work at Caruso Produce when they are not attending college.

Caruso Produce also employs members who are “like family,” Sam Caruso says. For instance, Secretary and Treasurer Arnie Franks has 30 years with the company, while Caruso also names both Assistant Vice President Matt Weber and his brother, Peter Weber, who manages the company’s warehouse. “The brothers Weber spend so many hours here [that] we end up spending a lot of time together,” Caruso explains.

In the Blood
Caruso joined the company at the age of 12. After all these years, he has enjoyed the business. “A lot of people are born [into] what they do,” Caruso says. “Produce is especially that way. It’s kind of in your blood.”

He also praises Joe Caruso, who is a 55-year veteran of the business. “He comes to work because he loves it,” Sam Caruso says, noting that his father has not mentioned any plans to retire as of yet.

Caruso also highlights partner Matt Weber for his work ethic. “He comes from a dairy background,” Caruso says. “He was [raised to get up at] four in the morning.”

Giving Back
Caruso Produce contributes to many charities, Caruso says. For instance, “We hold a golf tournament every year that we completely pay 100 percent for,” he says, noting that the company gives the money raised to charities of its choice. “This year, we raised close to $40,000 and we [gave] a good chunk to Mercy Corps,” he says, noting that the first-responder organization provides aid to people after national disasters and to underdeveloped countries.

The company also contributes to Friends of the Children, which focuses on troubled children. “We donate a portion of our golf tournament funds to them,” he says. “It’s a very incredible program where they take children [and] give them a friend. “That friend is basically hired to mentor this child all the way through high school,” Caruso says.

A third charity with a personal connection to the company is a school for autistic children that Franks’ daughter founded. “[Franks] has a grandson who is autistic,” Caruso explains. “There is no school specifically for autistic [children] in Portland.”