Who is Bob?

Bob Palmisano is a 4th generation “produce specialist” and, as some say, the “Ross Perot” of the produce business. He is the strategist and owner behind Newtown Farm Market, and has more than 45 years in the Produce Business. His great grandfather from Italy relocated to Cleveland, Ohio and sold produce from a white horse and buggy in his local neighborhood in the early 1900’s. From there, Bob’s Great Grandmother went into business with his Grandmother, Father and Uncle. They owned several produce stands in the Cleveland Central Market (currently where the Cleveland Indians Stadium resides) and were known for the best quality of fruits and vegetables in the Cleveland market.

Bob started working with his Dad on weekends at the age of 6 years old. His father set him up on a wooden box, to sell fresh lemons at a price of “5 lemons for 15 cents”. His father was his mentor, and taught him everything about the business. At age of 12 years, Bob began working with his Dad full time on weekends. He took a bus to downtown Cleveland each day. Since there were no cash registers, he would wait on customers and crunch numbers on the side of a paper bag. There were no such things as calculators either. He then learned what the retail business was all about, together with the cost and profit breakdowns.

Throughout high school, he continued working for his father at 3 different markets he owned at the time.

At 18, Bob worked at the Cleveland Wholesale Terminal, in which he learned the wholesale aspect of the produce business, and continued working with his Dad in his retail operations. He attended the University of Akron graduating with a BA in Business Marketing and Advertising.

After graduation, Bob pursued another career because his mother discouraged him from the long hours of the produce business. He then married his wife Judy and was hired as a manufacturer’s sales rep in the lighting industry, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He became one of the top reps in the business and worked in the lighting industry until 1980.

He then met Jim Bonominio and helped him organize and build what is today called Jungle Jims International Market. As a partner, he spent 10 years operating and overseeing product development, produce, buying, advertising and hiring with the common goal of being the best. After fulfilling his goals, Bob wanted to return to his “roots” and passion for the produce business in a more hands-on approach. In 1990, Bob, his wife and three sons bought and founded Newtown Farm Market.