Farming has always been in the Pichichero blood. For generations, the family farmed the fertile soil of Bari, Italy, growing not only vegetables and olives but tending vineyards as well.   When James left Italy for America in 1913, his father had entrusted him with a wine press to carry their wine making tradition to the new world.  Four generations later, the Pichichero men continue to make their own wine and grow their own produce.  However, along the way, the family founded Cincinnati’s premier wholesale produce company.

 Pic’s Produce began out of necessity during the depression of the early part of the twentieth century.  The family grew extra vegetables on their small farm outside of town to sell at the Cincinnati farmers market.  James (Jim to friends) continued to work at the Mosler Safe Company and nights at a foundry until the small produce business flourished into a full time opportunity.  As their reputation grew, the Pichicheros began selling produce for other farmers as well.  Their reputation for selecting and selling only the highest quality products would become the cornerstone for the modern business. 

Eventually, the family and the business moved to the corner of Fourteenth and Walnut Streets, where it was housed until 1995.  In the late 1950’s Jim’s son Joe took over running the family business, and it prospered under his care for five decades.  Joe passed away in 1995 at the age of 81.  He left the business to his son, Jim, who expanded Pic’s Produce to become Cincinnati restaurants’ number one choice for produce.  Jim focused on serving the fine dining community and targeted chefs who he knew were passionate about the highest quality.  As the business continued to expand, a new, larger location on Central Parkway became necessary.  

Today the fourth generation of Pichichero's is poised to guide the company through the coming years.  Jim passed away in 2006, but his four children Jim, Joe, Jeff and Jill continue the family legacy of quality and freshness.  They work each day in various aspects of the business; Jim in delivery and logistics, Joe in the hand selection of products grown on site as well as importing specialty produce from around the world, Jeff as the head buyer of regional and local produce, and Jill in administration.  With a recent move to an even larger facility on Paddock Road, Pic’s has expanded into boutique and specialty fruits, vegetables and herbs.  In addition, Pic’s continues to be deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community, still brokering produce for local farmers as well as distributing for artisanal businesses such as Madisano’s Gelato and Ohio City Pasta. 

 As the Pichichero family looks towards the future, they are also firmly rooted in the past.  In their free time, Jim, Joe and Jeff dabble in making wine, a family tradition that continues to endear them to friends and customers.   Joe is passionate about growing and has constructed a greenhouse behind the current warehouse as well as farming a few acres on site. An ever expanding project, he is branching out into heirloom vegetables and herbs with a passion that would make his ancestors proud.  Working together in the strong tradition of their family keeps the Pichichero family close and allows them to deliver the kind of quality and customer service that keeps their customers feeling like family as well.