J 838: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Casa Imports

 Senate Resolution No. 838 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Casa Imports WHEREAS, The success of New York State is built upon the dedication, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit of its businesses, particularly those that uphold strong family values and a commitment to excellence; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and publicly recognize those businesses within the State of New York which have positively impacted their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Casa Imports of Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Vito D'Allesandro, John Fornino, and Phillip Casamento immigrated from Italy to America, where Vito and John married Phillip's two sisters; and WHEREAS, In 1975, Vito D'Allesandro, John Fornino, and Phillip Casamento founded a small business named Casa Imports, which was established with the mission of providing high-quality, consistent products while offering a superior level of customer service, setting a high standard in the food distribution industry; and WHEREAS, Over the past five decades, Casa Imports has grown tremendously, now serving five states across the Northeast and over 3,000 customers, specializing in supplying pizzerias, trattorias, and casual dining establishments in Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, Casa Imports offers a diverse selection of well-known national brands, in addition to its own premium exclusive brands, including the widely recognized Cora and Casa labels, which have become staples in the industry; and WHEREAS, In September 2021, Casa Imports entered a strategic partnership with Ferraro Foods, a move designed to enhance operational efficiency, expand technological resources, and optimize transportation logistics while maintaining Casa Imports' dedication to serving pizzerias and restaurants in its core regions; and WHEREAS, Despite its growth, Casa Imports remains a family-owned and operated business, with multiple generations of the founding families actively involved, fostering a close-knit work environment where employees are considered part of an extended family; and WHEREAS, Casa Imports takes immense pride in offering premier service to its customers, going above and beyond the industry standards for food distributors, ensuring excellence in every aspect of its operations; and WHEREAS, With one of the largest selections of imported Italian foods available, Casa Imports also supplies a full range of high-quality products, including deli meats, beverages, oils and vinegars, tomato products, cheeses, spices, and pasta, among many others; and WHEREAS, In a remarkable return to its roots, Casa Imports is once again under the original family's ownership after the Fornino family repurchased the business from a large investment group, reaffirming their commitment to preserving the company's legacy; and WHEREAS, John Fornino expressed his enthusiasm for this transition, emphasizing the family's dedication to continuing the legacy they built and ensuring the long-term success of Casa Imports; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Casa Imports, recognizing its outstanding contributions to the food distribution industry and its unwavering commitment to quality and service; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Casa Imports.