Salinas, CA: Andy D’Arrigo was born in Stockton, CA on February 1, 1924 to Stefano and Concetta D’Arrigo. Stefano, an immigrant from Messina, Sicily, arrived at the immigration station at Ellis Island in New York aboard RMS Cretic on May 5, 1911 at the age of seventeen.
At age two and a half, Andy’s picture became the iconic brand for the company. After serving in the Navy in WWII, Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis, and in 1965 at the age of 41 became President of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California.
Andy is most proud of upholding the legacy of the Andy Boy tenets of quality produce by introducing the company’s own seed development program for broccoli rabe and fennel, and with setting up the Andrew and Phyllis D’Arrigo Charitable Foundation which allows him to pay it forward by helping others to help themselves.
Andy’s success is a result of hard work, perseverance and doing all the things they told him he could not do. The produce icon is revered by many (young and old) because of his fearless business acumen to “find his own way” and build a produce empire that will celebrate its centennial anniversary next year. These two amazing milestones are definitely a reason for D’Arrigo California and its employees to celebrate.
Please wish Andy a happy 98th birthday and share your favorite Andy Boy memory on social media using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayAndyBoy to memorialize the special day.
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About D’Arrigo California
From the day the company was founded in 1923 by Stefano and Andrea D’Arrigo, two immigrants from Messina, Sicily, innovation has been its hallmark. In addition to its conventional and organic vegetable product line and wine grapes, D’Arrigo offers strategies and solutions to its customers in everything from seed research and development, food safety and sustainability, to entirely new approaches to packaging, harvesting and shipping. The company’s brand, Andy Boy®, is known for signature products like broccoli, broccoli rabe, fennel and romaine hearts. D’Arrigo California grows not only conventional and organic products year-round, but also provides services that include cross docking, consolidation, custom growing and commercial cooling. Visit www.andyboy.com to learn more.
