Sourcing the freshest fruits and vegetables
Negotiating competitive pricing
Managing logistics for shipping produce
Facilitating networking between growers, shippers and clients
Changing the Face of Hunger
Fresh Leadership Award Recipient
More Family History
D’Amore means “of love” in Italian. And the D’Amore family has loved fresh produce for five generations! The family has been involved in almost all aspects of the produce industry: brokering, distribution, retail, and wholesale.
First Generation
In 1906, William (Vito) D’Amore started selling produce by horse and buggy in Saginaw, Michigan. He sold groceries out of his home on Eddy Street to add to his selections of goods for customers. Eventually, he added a cinder block building behind the house large enough to warehouse extra produce inventory and to store two produce delivery trucks.
Second Generation
William (Bill) Jr. worked with his father in the produce business, selling to local customers including the Saginaw Country Club, Germania Club, Tony’s restaurants, and other retail businesses. In the mid 1940s, the family built a grocery store on the Dixie Highway in Saginaw to house Damore Grocery Store for Bill Jr.‘s brothers Joe and Mike. Their older brother Bill (William Damore II) built an extension to the grocery store in the late 1960s for his son’s (William Damore III) independent fruit market business.
Third Generation
William (Bill) Damore III, ventured out on his own and built his next fruit market on State Street in Saginaw Township in the early 70s. A third location was built on Bay Road in Saginaw Township in April 1975. Both locations thrived for years. Both stores were eventually sold, the last – on Bay Road – was sold to Jack’s Fruit Market in 1983. At this point, William Damore III started up a new wholesale business, built a building in Kochville Township in 1987, and sold out in 1996.
Fourth Generation
As a young boy, Andy Damore operated an independent roadside fruit and vegetable stand out in front of his father’s main store. Fourth generation and eldest of his generation, and like his great grandfather, grandfather, and father, Andy continued the wholesale business on his own for several years until an opportunity presented itself in 2003 on the brokerage side. Andy’s background in produce logistics, retail and wholesale is extensive and he remains a robust force in the distribution of produce as D’Amore Produce Solutions. He continues to nurture relationships built over years and years of business.
Mission Statement:
Building trusted relationships through the distribution of fruits and vegetables, while assisting with projects aimed to provide a healthier well-being for all communities.
Vision Statement:
Giving our time to serving others is valuable to us as we strive to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future where everyone has access to nourishing food choices.
Community Stewardship
An avid supporter of health & wellness and community welfare, Andy and D’Amore Produce Solutions serve in a number of ways:
Board president, donor and annual campaigner, group fitness instructor, Mission Nutrition volunteer.
Founder and board president of Saginaw Community Food Club & Kitchens, a committed group of community leaders and volunteers developing an exciting project to fill a critical need in Saginaw’s local food system — focusing on food security and prioritizing choice, participation, and access to healthy foods.
Annual BWell Race Series volunteer and coach for new participants taking 9-week BReady prep program.
Supporter and advocate of nonprofit and its mission to build a community solution to feed the hungry by leveraging an abundance of product from a multitude of sources
Collaborator of nonprofit that brings together local agencies and organizations dealing with food and food security to assess and fill in gaps in service
Member and supporter of its mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Proud supporter of this organization dedicated to taking action at the intersection of people and nature, elevating landscapes for the benefit of all, and providing leadership in conservation.
Member of local service club supporting education, youth athletics and community welfare
Growers & Shippers
Eden Valley’s mission as a family farm is to deliver fresh, locally grown produce to our customers and communities through a vibrant culture of integrity, stewardship, sustainability, and innovation.
Transportation & Logistics
