More than 100 people — including Eastern Produce Council members, their families, and the family of Joe DeLorenzo — enjoyed a summer-like morning Saturday, Sept. 21 at Melick Farm in Oldwick, NJ, for the fifth annual Joe DeLorenzo Family Event.  Cider and doughnuts kicked off the morning and were followed by tractor rides that took families up to the orchard to pick apples.  After returning from the orchard, everyone enjoyed fresh grilled corn on the cob, hotdogs and popcorn.Juan Vasquez, former team member of Joe DeLorenzo's at Krasdale/Alpha1Marketing; Susan McAleavey Sarlund, executive director of the Eastern Produce Council; Kelly Davis, EPC vice president and director of produce and floral at Allegiance Retail Services; and Marianne Santo, EPC president and senior category manager of produce and floral for Wakefern Food Corp.

This year’s gathering was extra special with special guest three-month old Joseph Michael DeLorenzo, son of Joe DeLorenzo’s son Anthony, and named in honor of his deceased grandfather. 

The event was named in honor of Joe DeLorenzo, long-time board member and two-time president of the council, who died in November 2014.  “Joe was all about family, and this event is an opportunity for EPC families to remember Joe and spend time together out on a farm in primetime apple season,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, executive director of the EPC.

DeLorenzo’s love of family was evident by more than 35 members of the DeLorenzo family on hand for the event.  All are New Jersey residents, except for one of his daughters and her family, who came up from Florida.

Three-month-old Joseph Michael DeLorenzo — in the arms of EPC Executive Director Susan McAleavey Sarlund — with his father, Anthony; aunts Deanna and Christina; and grandmother, Goldie.

Members of the DeLorenzo family.