Senate Resolution No. 1809

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Delorio's
Foods, Inc., of Utica, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses that contribute
substantially to the economic vitality of their communities, thereby
enhancing the economic well-being of the entire Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Delorio's Foods, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, In 1924, Pasquale (Pat) and Giovanni (John) Delorio, with
their wives, started their own baking business; they built a coal-fired
brick oven, purchased a mixer, and worked together in their bakery which
spanned the backyards of three two-family homes; and

WHEREAS, The baking crew expanded, and hearth-baked Italian bread
had begun sales in the bakery with house-to-house delivery; in 1926, the
first "Tomato Pie" made its debut, served at many weddings in East Utica
and sold to homes and stores; the first bagged Italian bread was
introduced in 1929; and

WHEREAS, During the Great Depression, the Delorio family aided their
community by allowing local housewives to bake their own bread dough for
only a penny per pound, and holiday turkeys and hams were baked free of
charge; also in the 1930s, the first traveling stone deck oven for
Italian bread was introduced; between 1932 and 1934, the first slice &
wrap Italian bread entered the marketplace; and

WHEREAS, Delorio's Foods, Inc., moved to a 10,000-square-foot
facility in 1948; to meet the growing demand, the first walk-in freezer
and stored baked bread appeared in the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, To accommodate a customized automated system and three bulk
flour silos, Delorio's Foods, Inc., expanded to 22,000 square feet in
1970; nine years later, the original ready-to-operate in-store bakery
system, including a training program, was developed and offered for sale
by the growing family business; this tremendous stride in the baking
industry brought a unique convenience for independent grocery stores to
produce their own freshly baked breads with specialty proofers and small
ovens; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980s, Delorio's Foods, Inc., added frozen dough to
its line of fresh products; this innovation launched the company into
the frozen wholesale food service market; throughout the 1990s, the
frozen dough and pizza market was the focal point of the industry, and
this rapidly expanding enterprise broadened its delivery from Utica, New
York, to the Mid-Atlantic region; by 1997, it was time to move to a
90,000-square-foot facility; and

WHEREAS, Over time, focusing on customers' needs and endeavoring to
meet those demands produced a successful business in a competitive

market; during the 2000s, there were numerous developments, including
private labeling, gluten-free products, national locations,
international shipping, and investment in the supply to some of the
largest retailers in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The progression of Delorio's Foods, Inc., is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its owners and employees, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the community
it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is with immense pride that the hard-working and
dedicated staff members of Delorio's Foods, Inc., celebrate this
milestone 100th Anniversary and anticipate many more years of success
for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business, its contributions to the local
and state economies, and its vibrant role in improving the quality of
life in its community, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy
the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Delorio's Foods, Inc.; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Delorio's Foods, Inc.