OUR HISTORY
Peirone Produce was founded by Joe Peirone in 1945. At the end of World War II, Joe set up a modest downtown produce shop on what is now considered the University District. Joe and his family ran the company with a simple yet powerful belief that when you treat your employees, suppliers, and customers with respect and dignity, your company will prosper.
In 1986, URM Stores acquired Peirone Produce and allowed it to continue to operate as an autonomous subsidiary company. When Joe Peirone retired, Pat Davidson became the first non-family member to take the role of President and CEO, reporting to the company’s Board of Directors. Pat successfully continued the legacy of growth at Peirone and was careful to keep the family's core principles in place.
By 2008, Peirone Produce had outgrown its original warehouse facility and was in need of a larger space. Plans were drawn to construct the finest produce warehouse in the Inland Northwest. Peirone's current headquarters in the West Plains is now the largest and most modern facility in the region.
In 2014, Mike Kamphaus became the President and CEO. In the ensuing years, Peirone prospered and has grown into the largest distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables to independent grocers in the Inland Northwest. In the Fall of 2023 Mike Kamphaus retired, Brent Shammo currently serves as the company President. Brent's energy and vision will take Peirone to even greater heights.
We are proud to say that three-quarters of a century later, Peirone still operates under the same core principles of the freshest top quality products, highly competitive prices and a culture of treating employees, growers, and customers with respect and dignity.
Peirone Trade Area
Today, Peirone services independent retailers all over the Northwest. We currently have customers in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.
Peirone Team
We are proud to be a produce company that is run by “produce people." The majority of our management team has a background in retail and wholesale produce operations. Even our President started his career in the local supermarket's produce department.
As a Peirone customer, you can be confident in your business knowing that we manage our business from a retailer perspective and never lose sight of what truly matters to our customers.
Peirone and URM
In 1986, Peirone Produce was purchased by URM Stores, Inc. (the Inland Northwest's leading independent grocery distributor).
Today, Peirone is a wholly-owned subsidiary of URM and reports directly to a Board of Directors comprised mostly of URM supermarket member-owners.