Buona (means good in Italian) Foods was founded by Rosemarie “Roro” Ferranto. After growing up on a mushroom farm, owned by her parents, who came to the U.S.A. from Italy in the early 1900’s Roro became interested in the business she knew most about, Mushrooms.
In 1972 with 3 small children, a husband who worked for a forging company, Roro started her own mushroom wholesale/distribution business. Buona began supplying local restaurants and grocery stores with fresh mushrooms grown on farms in Chester County, Pennsylvania. In the early 70’s, competition from canned imports grew and new ways of selling mushrooms was challenging.
Roro was committed to educating the consumer on the nutritional benefits, preparation for cooking and proper storage of mushrooms. Many hours were spent on the grocery store floor talking with consumers and sampling for promoting the mushroom category.
After many committed years, Roro was chosen for “Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business" in 2001, sponsored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s commission for women. Roro was one of 250 women recognized nominations chosen for her outstanding professional and personal accomplishments and an advocate in the business community.
Currently, Buona Foods is a multi-generation, established, grower, packer and shipper of many varieties of mushrooms.
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Robert Ferranto Jr. joined Buona Foods in 1985 and is now the VP of Production.
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Peter Ferranto, VP of Farming, joined Buona Foods in 1989, and together with Robert Ferranto Jr., has founded Bella Mushroom Farms.
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Gale Ferranto joined Buona Foods in 2006 as VP of Sales and Marketing.
