Bronx-based food importer Trucco expanding processing, distribution center in Vineland

Joseph P. Smith, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read

VINELAND — A tighter embrace of automation over human labor is part of a pending expansion of the A.J. Trucco Inc. food distribution center in the North Vineland Industrial Park.

City planners have approved adding 66,196 square feet to a BDGS Inc.-owned building at 2440 North Mill Road.

Trucco, headquartered in Bronx, New York, operates a packing room, several automated packing lines, a quality control lab, and cold storage rooms here. It imports a range of fresh produce, including kiwi, blueberries, lemons, and limes, as well as dried fruits, and nuts. Its center opened in Vineland about five years ago.

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BDGS representative Mark D’Onofrio testified before the Planning Board at its April 12 meeting that Trucco started out renting space here before deciding to open its own open state-of-the art center.

A.J. Trucco Inc. of the Bronx, N.Y. , operates a packing, storage, and distribution center in Vineland at a BDGS Inc. facility at 2440 North Mill Road. Trucco imports and distributes produce, fruits, and nuts. Vineland planners on April 12 approved a BDGS request to construct a 66,196-square-foot addition to provide Trucco with more space. PHOTO: April 14, 2023.

D’Onofrio said the company ended up leasing 70,000 square feet with BDGS. It now needs more space and especially more refrigeration capacity, he said.

The addition will have about 15,000 square feet of processing area and about 40,000 square feet of refrigerated area, he said.

“And, also, these guys are investing highly in more automated equipment,” D’Onofrio said. “I mean, we all kind of know how labor is a struggle, even around here as much as everybody thought there was a ton of labor. It’s competitive.”

The board approved the expansion on a 6-0 vote.

BDGS Inc. representative Mark D'Onofrio (left) testifies Wednesday night before the Vineland Planning Board about a major expansion at a North Vineland Industrial Park property. A building at 2440 N. Mill Road will get a 66,196-square-foot addition on behalf of tenant A.J. Trucco Inc. Right: Project attorney Christopher Baylinson. PHOTO: April 12, 2023.

BDGS, a Vineland company, first developed the site as a 100,000-square-foot, multi-tenant building. It expanded to 150,000 square feet in 2018. Trucco is one of four tenants.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Trucco Inc. growing Vineland NJ packing, distribution center