By Romy Stephens
It doesn’t get much fresher than Pellegrino’s Fresh Fruits.
Pellegrino’s is a trusted hospitality supplier and produce store that has been servicing the Dandenong Ranges for decades.
Paul Pellegrino said his family’s business began in 1959 and has been at the Upper Ferntree Gully market for about 47 years.
“My grandparents started the business and we had two fruit trucks in Belgrave in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” he said.
Now, Pelegrino’s has expanded to include two main stores in Olinda and Wantirna South.
In fact, the business still serves some of its original clientele.
“We’re serving some of the customers that my grandparents served in Belgrave,” Paul said.
“A couple of customers are in their ‘90s.
“Now we’re serving their kids and their kid’s kids.”
Not only does Pellegrino’s provide locally-sourced fresh fruit, but the store also offers a range of cheeses, fresh meats, drinks, pasta, sauces and more.
Wholesale is also an important part of the business, supplying restaurants and hospitals with fruit and vegetables.
When it comes to the quality of stock, Pellegrino’s takes pride in ensuring its products are as fresh as possible.
“We do a lot of our buying through local farms so that we don’t have a middle man,” Paul said.
“We rotate it really quickly, we don’t store anything.
“We take it from the farm and we sell it off the shelf within the second day…That’s how we keep it special.”
Paul said Autumn is an ideal time of year for plums, stonefruit, nectarines, peaches, grapes, strawberries, legumes, zucchini, eggplant and capsicum.
Pellegrino’s still runs at the Upper Ferntree Gully market every Saturday from 8am.
Customers can also head in-store at Olinda and Wantirna South.
For more information, visit www.pellegrinosfreshfruits.com.au.
