Maceri Produce & Foodservice Distributor

In 1922, Tom Maceri became an independent produce vendor with offices at the Eastern Market in Detroit. He went up and down various streets peddling produce to the residents off the truck. In 1992, when he was 95 years old, he was the oldest living produce vendor in the Detroit area.

In 1936, Tom Maceri’s son, Sam, entered the family business at the age of 13, and assisted his father.  First thing Sam did was to add the words, “and son” under his fathers name on the truck, and thus the name became Tom Maceri & Son. He started selling wholesale by selling bushels of cabbage to a customer and profiting $.50. He thought, this is the service that is needed.

Trucks are beauties of the industry,” said Sam. In 1948, Sam purchased his first brand new truck which is pictured on our building on Russell.

Sam Maceri, worked in the wholesale industry at Tom Maceri & Son for 74 years in Detroit’s Eastern Market. He did not get his first warehouse until the early 1970’s. He would work from 2am till 11pm. He bought his produce fresh everyday. He passed away on September 29, 2010. His hard work, love of the business will live on in his son and grandsons. Anthony’s sons, Anthony and Tom, fourth generation, also work in the business.

Sam Maceris’ son Anthony, with over 50 years experience, owner of Maceri Produce in Detroit’s Eastern Market, is currently located on Russell Street.

Sam was also vice-president of the Detroit Metropolitan Fruit Vendors Association and the Eastern Market Merchants Association.