Letizio Family Meat Market Opens

We trace the origins of our business back to the Letizio family’s first venture into the food business in 1912. Verrecchia’s Market was the family market in a Lawrence, Massachusetts Italian immigrant neighborhood that quickly earned a reputation for quality meats and great service. Brothers Florindo and Antonio Verrecchia, and Antonio’s wife Vincenza Letizio worked cutting meat and grew their business and reputation in the neighborhood. Deliveries come daily by horse-drawn cart and the small ice cooler holds back stock, while cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and veal are hung and merchandised for customers to see, along with dry groceries and household goods that stock the shelves. A few electric light bulbs illuminate the market after dark. Success in the market led to Florindo selling his share of the store to Antonio and Vincenza and the busy little market grew to need the help of more skilled hands to meet the demand. Enter our family’s 2nd generation as Antonio and Vincenza’s sons and their nephews, the Letizio brothers, Tony, Alfred, Frank, and Louis joined the family business.

Letizio Brothers Earn Reputation as Master Meat Merchandisers

The Letizio brothers grew to become master meat merchandisers, and as years went by, they remained at the forefront of the rapidly evolving retail food industry through the middle of the 20th century. As first-generation Americans, they never lost sight of the values of their parents, Michel Letizio and Carolina Verrecchia, who immigrated from Presenzano, a small sheep herding village in the Caserta province of the Campania Region of Italy. Life in Italy as a sheepherding family gave way to opportunities in the New World in America for the Letizio family. Michel and Carolina are shown in this picture with their children Emily, Tony, Alfred, Frank, and Louis.

Letizio Brothers at the Forefront of Rapidly Evolving Retail Food Business

The early 20th century innovations of electricity, telephone communication, and the automobile changed the world and changed the way that food was sold and merchandised. The Letizio family embraced these technological advances while holding on to the merchandising magic that drove their success.

Alfred A. Letizio an Early Innovator of the “Super” Market Concept

Alfred Letizio emerged as an early Innovator of the new, full-service Super Market Concept with Foodland in Salem Massachusetts in the late 1950s. Utilizing new technologies in open-air fresh meat merchandising, creating dazzling displays, and driving personalized customer experiences attracted modern customers in the growing suburbs to be Letizio’s loyal customers. Alfred’s son Albert J. Letizio began his apprenticeship with his father and uncles at Salem Foodland in the late 1950s.

Albert J. Letizio Emerges as the Letizio family’s Third Generation Innovator in Supermarket Meat Merchandising

Al Letizio started his career, learning the art, science, and business end of the family trade from his father Alfred, but Al would soon go on to make his mark as the family’s third-generation innovator in supermarket meat merchandising. Through the 1960s, Al artfully translated the merchandising magic of his father’s service meat case concept into the newly emerging self-serve supermarket merchandising concept, preserving the essence of success learned through his family experience. Al soon moved to leadership in large-scale food operations in Boston, ushering in the evolution from railcar hanging beef to the new era of centrally processed vacuum-packaged boxed beef and value-added food products. Al’s motto “A man builds an organization, and an organization builds a business,” built on his father’s technical expertise and became the philosophy behind his success in scaling success in business through team effort. Al built teams and led organizations to great success in wholesale distribution and manufacturing operations from the 1970’s through the 1990’s.

Albert J. Letizio Celebrates Return to Family Roots Meat Markets

In 1974, Al Letizio saw the opportunity to create a “throwback” concept and opened New England Wholesale Meat Markets. With locations in southern New Hampshire, the markets featured a unique customer experience, including a refrigerated meat room shopping experience, sawdust on the floor, and a wholesale meat operation where customers hand-selected and purchased sub-primal cuts of meat and had them custom-merchandised to their needs by expert meat merchandisers. The concept was a huge success and was a celebration of the family’s original roots, featuring a large picture of Verrecchia’s Meat Market on the wall in the cutting room. Fourth generation Al Letizio, Jr. joined the business as a young teenager, following in his father’s footsteps as the fourth generation in the family legacy. Al Letizio Jr.

A.J. Letizio Food Brokers Founded as “Meat and Deli Experts Since 1912”

In 1988 Al Letizio, Jr. and wife Patti founded A.J. Letizio Food Brokers in Salem, New Hampshire, with the slogan “Meat & Deli Experts Since 1912,” and served its clients to customers in the six states of New England. Al & Patti followed the family’s now four-generation legacy as Meat and Deli experts. A.J. Letizio food Brokers grew into A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing, and their business grew in scale and scope, as customers appreciated the personalized service and category expertise, but mostly appreciated Al and Patti’s philosophy of “making things happen.”

A.J. Letizio Diversifies into Foodservice with the acquisition of Market Quest Foods

In 1996, A.J. Letizio ventured into the food service business with the acquisition of Market Quest Foodservice of Boston, MA. Since 1996, A.J. Letizio has operated in two distinct divisions, one dedicated to Retail and the other to Foodservice, with teams of specialists to service each sector, supported by a common support team structure.

A.J. Letizio Food Brokers becomes A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing and opens Corporate Headquarters Facility

A.J. Letizio evolves from its original “food broker” model into a full-service “sales agency” as A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing. The company’s services grow in scale and scope to service all fresh foods channels at retail, and full menu specialization at foodservice, including disposable goods.

Foodservice Division Grows with Beacon Food Sales Acquisition

In 2006 A.J. Letizio announced the acquisition of Beacon Food Sales of Boston, MA, growing its overall sales and food service by over forty percent in the move.

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing Celebrates its 20th Year

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing celebrates 20 years since its founding in 1988.

A.J. Letizio Inducted into First Families in the Food Industry 

The Griffin Report of Food Marketing recognizes A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing and inducts the Letizio family into the “First Families of the Food Industry.” A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing CEO Al Letizio, Jr., 49, the family’s fourth generation in the food industry, is flanked by his father, Al Letizio, 69, generation 3, and great Uncle Louis Letizio, 95, generation 2.

Foodservice Division Expands into School Nutrition with Acquisition of Cotton, Cotton, and Hill Food Brokers

A.J. Letizio acquires New England K-12 powerhouse, Cotton, Cotton & Hill Food Brokers, expanding its food service coverage and expertise into the K-12 School Nutrition Sector. In this move, A.J. Letizio merged the Cotton, Cotton & Hill team with its existing foodservice team, further building on the company’s momentum of growth in foodservice.

Retail Division Expands Coverage to Mid-Atlantic Region

The acquisition of Meat Masters Food Brokers in 2011 expanded A.J. Letizio’s geographic coverage into the mid-Atlantic region for its retail division, with Cathy Reardon and her team all joining A.J. Letizio in its mid-Atlantic sales and service efforts.

Retail Division Expands Coverage to Southeast

A.J. Letizio expands geographic coverage into the southeast region for its retail division, with the addition of staff members and product lines.

Retail Division Expands Coverage to Specialty Grocery with Acquisition of Gentile and Associates Food Brokers

A.J. Letizio category focus expands to the Retail Specialty Grocery sector with the addition of Gentile & Associates.

Letizio Family Celebrates 100 Years of Service in the Food Industry

The Letizio family celebrates 100 years since the family’s start in the food business in 1912.

Foodservice Division Expands to Non-Foods/Disposable Products with Acquisition of Total Concept Marketing

With the addition of the Total Concept Marketing team, A.J. Letizio expands its expertise and category focus to the non-foods and disposable goods sectors in service to the foodservice industry.

A.J. Letizio Retail Division Expands Coverage Through Upstate New York 

A.J. Letizio expands its retail coverage to include Upstate New York, with the addition of several new staff members and product lines. 

Nick Letizio Joins A.J. Letizio Retail Division

Nick Letizio joins the A.J. Letizio Retail Division, marking the beginning of the Letizio Family’s fifth generation in the food industry.

Groundbreaking for New A.J. Letizio Complex, including Letizio Tower and A.J. Letizio Enterprise Center

The Letizio family embarks on a major investment to triple the size of the existing Windham, NH A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing Headquarters, in conjunction with a major community beautification project.

Letizio Tower Completed and Dedicated to Town of Windham, NH at the Town’s 275th Anniversary

Letizio Tower is completed and donated to the Town of Windham in recognition of the Town’s 275th anniversary. Letizio Tower pays tribute to 19th-century philanthropist Edward Searles, who introduced similar stone structures in the beautification of Windham at the turn of the 20th century. Searles constructed these structures through the employment of Italian immigrant laborers, including Michel Letizio, whose great-grandson Al Letizio, Jr. commissioned the construction of the present tower.

Adam Letizio Joins A.J. Letizio Foodservice Division

Adam Letizio joins the A.J. Letizio Foodservice Division, continuing the legacy of the Letizio Family’s fifth generation in the food industry.

A.J. Letizio Expands Foodservice Division into Upstate New York

After many years of successful operation in the New England market area, A.J. Letizio expands its foodservice coverage to include Upstate New York, with the addition of several new staff members and product lines. 

New A.J. Letizio Enterprise Center Grand Opening

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing opens its new 20,000 sq ft national headquarters location in Windham New Hampshire. The new $7.2M facility features a 110-seat training facility, a state-of-the-art Test Kitchen, a media production studio, multi-media communication systems, multiple offices, and meeting rooms. The building is named “Best Commercial Building” and receives the Prism Award from the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston.”

Metro NY presence grows with Acquisition of M.J. Comerford Associates of Parlin NJ, opening Regional Office

A.J. Letizio Retail Division acquires M.J. Comerford, a strong, recognized player in the Supermarket Industry in Metro NY and NJ and experts in fresh foods. Mike and Jim Comerford join A.J. Letizio, and Comerford’s Metro NY Office becomes the new A.J. Letizio Metro NY regional headquarters. Mike and Jim add over 75 years of experience to A.J. Letizio and its Metro New York team. Mike Comerford was named Regional Director and Jim Comerford was named Business Manager.

A.J. Letizio Retail Division expands coverage to Metro New York Market

A.J. Letizio expands its retail coverage to include Metro New York, with the addition of several new staff members and product lines.

US SBA Names Al Letizio, Jr. Small Businessperson of Year and A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing, Family-owned Business of the Year for 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) named Al Letizio, Jr., CEO of A.J. Letizio Sales and Marketing, Inc. as the 2020 Small Businessperson of the Year for New Hampshire, and A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing was also awarded the Jeffrey Butland Family-owned Business of the Year. SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and her delegation of officials made the trip to visit from Washington DC along with Acting District Director Rachel Roderick and her team from the SBA’s New Hampshire District Office to A.J. Letizio headquarters in Windham, New Hampshire. to present the awards.

A.J. Letizio Sales and Marketing, Inc. Acquires A. Russo Imports New England Cheese Business Sector

A.J. Letizio acquires New England Cheese Business Sector of A. Russo Imports. After many years of service to the industry, Tom Russo, a three-generation cheese expert and recognized player in the Supermarket and Foodservice Industry in Boston, transitioned his company’s operations to the A.J. Letizio family.  The A.J. Letizio team takes over Russo’s established business in the New England cheese products at foodservice and retail.

A.J. Letizio Foodservice Division expands coverage to Metro New York Market 

A.J. Letizio expands its retail coverage to include the Metro New York market area, adding several new staff members and product lines. 

A.J. Letizio Acquires Forgione Associates, Inc.  

A.J. Letizio acquires Forgione Associates, Inc. of Maspeth, New York, a strong and recognized player in the Foodservice and Wholesale Cash and Carry Supply industry in New York and New Jersey. The Forgione organization forms the foundation of the A.J. Letizio Metro team. Several additional team members are recruited to fill new positions on the new A.J. Letizio Metro NY Team.  

A.J. Letizio Opens Metro New York Regional Headquarters

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing opens its Metro New York Regional Headquarters location in Maspeth, NY. The new facility features a training Room and Test Kitchen, offices, meeting, and storage space that support operations for A.J. Letizio’s retail and foodservice business in the region. 

A.J. Letizio Foodservice Division expands coverage through Mid- Mid-Atlantic 

A.J. Letizio continues expanding coverage to include Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia, with several new staff members and product lines. This expansion allows for continuous foodservice coverage for A.J. Letizio throughout the Northeast United States, from Maine’s Canadian border through the southern border of Virginia, additionally offering wholesale cash and carry coverage of the Eastern United States. A.J. Letizio’s Foodservice division now services a quarter of the US population. 

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing, Inc. acquires G.E.M. Food Brokers in Upstate New York

A.J. Letizio’s addition of G.E.M. Food Brokers, Inc. of Rochester, New York creates the largest and most comprehensive foodservice sales agency team in the region.  G.E.M. has been a long-respected leading foodservice sales agency in the Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania markets. The A.J. Letizio team takes over G.E.M.’s established business in the Upstate New York Market and the combined team, with support from A.J. Letizio nation headquarters in New Hampshire, raises the bar for the highest quality of service to customers and clients in the marketplace. 

A.J. Letizio Opens Upstate New York Regional Headquarters

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing opens its Upstate New York Regional Headquarters location in Rochester, NY. The new facility features a training Room and Test Kitchen, offices, meeting, and storage space that support operations for A.J. Letizio’s retail and foodservice business in the region, while plans are developed for the construction of a new A.J. Letizio regional headquarters facility and training center in Rochester in late 2024.  

The Bakery Connection Joins A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing

A.J. Letizio adds The Bakery Connection, Inc. of Glastonbury, Connecticut (BCI). The BCI organization is known throughout the industry as one of East Coast’s most respected bakery sales and marketing agencies. BCI Founder and owner Mike Myers and his entire team of 25 staff members join A.J. Letizio and its In-store Bakery Team to form the largest and most comprehensive In-Store Bakery Sales agency in the Eastern United States.  

A.J. Letizio Opens Upstate  Glastonbury CT Regional Headquarters

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing opens its Glastonbury, CT Regional Headquarters location. The new facility features a training Room and Test Kitchen, offices, meeting, and storage space that support operations for A.J. Letizio’s retail and foodservice business in the region. 

A.J. Letizio Adds Tom DeLuca/3D Marketing & Sales Business

A.J. Letizio acquires 3D Marketing & Sales’ retail and foodservice cheese business portfolio in Western New England and Tom DeLuca joins A.J. Letizio, merging the cheese business of both organizations. The DeLuca family and Letizio family have been close friends for many decades and have worked together closely over the last few years. The combination of 3D and A.J. Letizio benefits their combined portfolio of clients and customers in Western New England. 3D Marketing is best known for being an early pioneer of the Belgioioso cheese brand in western New England.

A.J. Letizio Expands New Hampshire Headquarters with opening of the A.J. Letizio Professional Center

Located on campus with the A.J. Letizio Enterprise Center in Windham, The A.J. Letizio Professional Center adds 25 additional offices and meeting spaces to support the growth of A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing into the future. 

New Hampshire Headquarters expands with addition of the A.J. Letizio Logistics Center

In a continued expansion of A.J. Letizio facilities at the company’s headquarters location in Windham, NH, The A.J. Letizio Logistics Center is added to expand frozen and refrigerated as well as dry, racked, and trailer storage in support the growth of A.J. Letizio’s retail and foodservice business in the Eastern US. 

A.J. Letizio Opens Philadelphia Regional Headquarters

A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing opens its Philadelphia Headquarters location in King of Prussia, PA. The new facility features a training Room and Test Kitchen, offices, meeting and storage space that support operations for A.J. Letizio’s retail and foodservice business in the region.