Sosio's Produce

Market fresh

Fresh, high quality fruit and vegetables taste different. More flavor, better texture. When you're paying top dollar, you assume you're getting the best. Not always true. The easiest way to get the best is to head to Sosio's at Pike Place Market.

Currently owned by Mike Osborn (photo) and Alan Stott, the business has only had three other owners. Tom Osborn is the general manager. The current location has been in place since 1943. Namesake Sosio Manzo was an immigrant farmer who sold his own produce at a low table in early Market days (the Market opened in 1907).

A number of things set Sosio's apart. They source from all over the world, but always, especially in summer, procure as much as possible from local sources, mainly small independent farms, based on relationships formed over the years. Some farmers grow specifically for Sosio's, like the peach farmer. "For a small independent market, we have a lot of buying power," explains Mike. "We trademarked the 'OMG Peaches' and sold 100,000 pounds of peaches in 2014. In winter, we buy from large purveyors as well as independents. Our mushrooms are wild foraged. Out-of-season items come from around the world, like off-season asparagus and citrus from Australia. When domestic grapes are done, we get grapes from Chile. We buy product every day and I inspect it. We don't buy online. If I don't like it, I don't buy it. We'll buy again when the quality is there. The whole stand is about quality and customer service."

The U.S. has a grading system for apples and pears, with five grades. Sosio's buys only the top grade, extra fancy. Most groceries buy lower grades, but you'll find the price is very similar. "You might read that there was a bumper crop of apples in a year. That sounds good as a consumer, but it means you'll have a lot of lower level product," says Mike. "It's better when there's a late frost because it means there's more growing power in the fruit."

Customer service also sets Sosio's apart. They have a very experienced staff who listen to what customers are saying to ensure they understand what the customer really wants. "Sometimes people will say what they think they want, but we can get them a better product. Or they come in with a recipe and they leave with a different recipe. We prefer it when people say they want two vegetables instead of beans and carrots. And we love it when people ask what's in or what's fresh. Then we can really educate them on what's fresh right now and how they can best use it. That can impact our bottom line, but our intent isn't just to fill the bag. We want them to have the information so they get what makes them happy."

Mike spent 15 years in retail fish at Pike Place Market, working with Solly Amon at Pure Food Fish Market. Solly was their neighbor and went to high school with Mike's dad. "He needed a clean-up kid, so I did it. I'm still the clean-up kid," he laughs. He moved to Sosio's and became the manager right away. He's been at Sosio's for 24 years and owned it for seven. He is just finishing his 42^nd year at the Market. Alan has spent his entire 40-year career in the produce business. Their knowledge of the local and international produce industry is deep. On any given day, they have about 100 items available for purchase.

Most stalls in the Market allow at least some sampling. For Sosio's, it's a primary feature. "We sample more than some people sell," says Mike. "That includes giving samples to little kids to make it easier for their parents to shop."

Shopping at Sosio's can be done a couple of ways. If you know just what you want, head right into the stall, grab a bag or box and start selecting your product. If you're less certain or have questions, especially about fruits that have a ripening process, ask a staff member for recommendations. Or just walk up and let them know what you want or what you're making and they'll do the selection for you. As Mike says, "A blind person can come in and walk away with perfect fruit." You can also buy gift cards, and they ship all over the country.

Mike has two main business philosophies:

1. Wait on the customer like you will see them tomorrow.

2. Try to be perfect.

"Obviously, you'll never be perfect. But you'll never get close unless you try. I have a passion for this industry that doesn't wane. And the best part of being the owner isn't about money. It's about being able to pay back to the Market. A lot of people don't know it's like a city with senior services, low income housing, childcare, a food bank and food stamps. It's all supported with grants and fundraisers like Sunset Supper at the Market. I can donate to all these things. The Market has given me everything in my life, including my wife."

Sosio's does not sell wholesale; 99.9 percent of sales are retail and they have a solid local base of customers. They also cater to private chefs who call in, then stop by to pick up their order. And although they work hard so this never happens, if something isn't right with something you've bought there, just let them know. They want to make it right. Or as they tell it: "Do what we say and no one will get hurt."

Sosio's Fruit & Produce, Inc.
1527 Pike Place
Seattle, WA 98101
206-622-1370
www.sosiosproduce.com

December 2014