Produce Quiz Winner: PETER LETSO
June 30, 2025 | 2 min to read
Retired Produce Buyer
Hillsborough, NJ
Peter Letso began his career at Acme Markets in North Plainfield, NJ, in 1974. It was his first real job. “I eventually wound up in the produce department as the produce manager, paraprofessional produce trainer, division produce specialist and division produce buyer, which ultimately defined my career,” says Letso.
He spent 16 years of his 46-year career at Acme, followed by 13 years at Wakefern Food Corporation (ShopRite Supermarkets). Other supermarket industry stops included Twin County Grocers (Foodtown Supermarkets), and RLB Food Distributors (Kings Super Markets, D’Agostino). “I also gained valuable wholesaler experience at D’Arrigo New York.”
He says his stint at SunBasket, a once-popular meal kit startup, was an “entirely unconventional and unique experience.”
The last several years of his career were spent in the foodservice industry, with stops at US Foods, Maximum Quality Foods and Ferraro Foods, all in the Garden State. “Nowadays, I’m offering my very particular set of skills as a produce consultant and specialist.”
He says the favorite thing about his career was the sense of accomplishment he felt at the end of every workday. “Numerous steps must be taken in order to get fresh produce delivered to the hands of the American consumer, steps that many people are simply not aware of. Every day poses new and oftentimes difficult challenges.”
Since semi-retirement, Letso enjoys watching movies with his wife, Cathy; sons, Tim and Chris; and daughter-in-law, Jackie. “Collectively, our world now revolves around our beautiful new granddaughter, Parker Mabel Letso.”
“I like that Produce Business is still an actual, physical magazine that covers all aspects of our unique industry from marketing, procurement, sales, merchandising, logistics, transportation, management, and every glorious product, from apples to zucchini. As a semi-retired produce professional, I look forward to receiving my monthly edition as much now as I did when I was a newbie.
