Nearly all classic Italian dishes start with extra virgin olive oil. This is the case for Bob Bruno, Owner of RJ BRUNO INTERNATIONAL, whose journey also began with extra virgin olive oil as he aimed to share the gifts of the specialty Italian market with retailers and shoppers stateside. Now Bob has marked four decades in the industry with a Specialty Food Association (SFA) Hall of Fame award.
I was fortunate enough to speak to him and ask about his career and the continuously growing specialty market. First, I wondered what it feels like to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“I must say it came as quite a surprise for me, and an amazing, great honor. It has been a privilege to continue working with specialty foods, and really a thrill,” Bob begins. “After 40 years, what I still find fascinating is what's going on now and how the industry has evolved, not to mention all the people, places, and products. I just love it.”
Speaking to Bob, I knew right away I was learning from someone with decades of experience, yet with the passion and excitement of someone absorbing the industry for the first time. After talking to Bob and learning about his tenure, I asked about what he believes is his unique position in the sector, and the overall value RJ BRUNO INTERNATIONAL brings to retailers in such a continuously evolving industry as specialty foods.
“I think my unique position is my longevity and understanding of the market. If we go back 40 years and take a look at specialty foods, especially imported cheeses, condiments, and oils, it was very different from today,” says Bob as he starts breaking down the beginnings of the specialty industry. “You had small companies, let's say in Italy, that had been producing their products for many years but not really marketing in the States. In the late '70s and early '80s, we started to bring in these products, knowing how these companies have evolved from small family producers. Most of the great products that were coming in were produced by families, and these families have grown considerably over the last 20 to 40 years into some mega clients.”
Bob continues, stating, “So I've been able to follow them, and the food itself, the culture, the language. I've also evolved in how I do business in the States. Today, I'm working with a network of importers and distributors. It's a whole other ball game in the sense of how sophisticated and much more active it has gotten.”
The Hall-of-Famer took a few moments to thank some of his mentors and friends in the industry, connecting each specialty foods comrade with an important step forward.
“Having this honor has given me time to reflect on some very special people who have trusted me and mentored me. A few stand out, like John Profaci and the Colavita family, Henry Kaplan, Umberto Fabbri,” Bob says as he thinks back. “I also remember many years ago, a pioneer who started a gourmet shop called Word of Mouth. Her name was Eileen Weinberg. When I had just started and gotten into selling, she was so instrumental in assisting me to learn the products and the whole retail part of it. It was a good working relationship. More recently, one of my greatest supporters and friends has been Phil Musco of the Musco Food Corporation Company. Last but certainly not least, my wife, who has supported me through these 40 years of business.”
Having longevity in such an ever-changing and ever-growing industry like specialty foods would be a gift in and of itself. For Bob I would add his foresight to look ahead into the future of evolving customs, cultures, and consumer tastes, and a true passion for this work.
Congratulations to Bob on such an impactful, thriving career, and this prestigious award!
