OUR STORY

Since 1948, Red Rich Fruits has been a leading Australian grower, packer, marketer and exporter of superior quality fresh fruit, owned and operated by the Napoleone family.

Our mission is to put the highest quality, fresh fruit on all plates in Australia and key export markets.

Vertically integrated, and with national distribution, Red Rich Fruits comprises of orchards, cool-storage, ripening, and packing facilities in Darwin, Gayndah, and the Yarra Valley; a wholesale outlet at the Sydney Markets; and our state-of-the-art packing and distribution facilities in Eastern Creek (NSW), and Coldstream (VIC).

Our  product range includes Apples, Pears, Stonefruit, Citrus, Berries, Cherries and Mangoes; and our proprietary apple variety, Cosmic Crisp®.

Watch our story below.

OUR HISTORY

Hover or click on the images below to see how we’ve grown.

  • 1948
    Michael ‘Mick’ Napoleone purchases the family’s first property in the Yarra Valley. Apples are quickly planted, followed by Stonefruit (1955) and Pears (1960).
  • 1954
    Red Rich Fruits is incorporated.
  • 1959
    Mick marries Grace Mammoliti. Their daughter, Josephina ‘Josie’, is born the following year followed by sons, Joseph ‘Joe’, in 1961 and, Michael (jnr), in 1972.
  • 1965
    Controlled atmosphere storage facilities are installed at the Wandin site replacing the cork- clad cool rooms built in 1962.
  • 1976
    Red Rich Fruits begins supplying Safeway (now Woolworths).
  • 1978
    The first Red Rich Fruits Market Store opens in the Melbourne Wholesale Markets. The presence is expanded to Sydney Wholesale Markets in 2009.
  • 1987
    Red Rich Fruits’ Coldstream property is purchased and Punt Road Winery is established on the site in 1999. The award winning Punt Road Wines label is subsequently launched (2001) followed by Napoleone Cider (2008) and Beer (2014).
  • 1998
    Red Rich Fruits wins Woolworths ‘Supplier of The Year’ (VIC).
  • 2002
    Mick Napoleone passes away. Management of Red Rich Fruits hands to his sons, Joe and Michael (jnr).
  • 2010
    Matthew Palise joins Red Rich Fruits as Managing Director, quickly adding Citrus and Berries to Red Rich Fruits’ product range through vertical integration and establishing packing facilities in New South Wales.
  • 2014
    Red Rich Fruits establishes Berry Creek Packing Company, Darwin’s leading full-service mango pack house.
  • Are Bowen Mangoes The Same As Kensington Pride?
    2016
    Red Rich Fruits purchases mango orchards near Darwin, NT.   Red Rich Fruits is a finalist for the Coles ‘Supplier Rising Star’ award.
  • 2018
    Red Rich Fruits purchases three new citrus orchards on the banks of the Burnett River near Gayndah, QLD. The properties boast good quality alluvial sandy loam soil and generous water allocations, feeding full irrigation infrastructure. The Mt Lawless property features a newly-upgraded 2000 sqm packing shed.
  • 2019
    Joe Napoleone passes away. Management of Red Rich Fruits passes to Joe's brother Michael, in partnership with the next generation including Joseph (jnr), Max, and Jack. 2019 also sees Red Rich Fruits securing the exclusive rights to grow, manage and market WA38 cv. Cosmic Crisp® Apples in Australia.
  • Red Rich Fruits new Coldstream Facility
    2020
    Red Rich Fruits opens it's new, purpose-built packing and distribution centre in Coldstream, Victoria. The 12,000 square metre facility features state-of-the-art equipment and has the capacity to pack 50,000 bins of fruit each year.

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Check out our extended timeline for more information.

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OUR TEAM

Red Rich Fruits have a team of dedicated staff committed to quality, reliability and customer satisfaction. Our customer-focused and driven sales approach, combined with our industry and consumer knowledge, experience and expertise, are second to none — allowing us to support our supply partners across the value chain to build their competitive advantage.

Michael Napoleone
Michael NapoleoneDirector
Dedicating his life’s work to the family business, Michael is a respected industry figure and leader of the Red Rich Fruits Management Team and Board of Directors.
Matthew Palise
Matthew PaliseDirector
Matt identifies and manages growth opportunities to drive business expansion for the New South Wales arm of the business and its joint ventures.
Kerryn McFarlane
Kerryn McFarlaneOperations Manager (VIC)
Kerryn oversees day-to-day operations of overall business activities in Victoria.
Dwayne Millard
Dwayne MillardGeneral Manager (NSW)
With a career built in horticulture and grocery, Dwayne manages profitability, productivity and people for the New South Wales arm of the business.
Joe Napoleone
Joe NapoleoneSales & Order Fulfilment (VIC)
Joe ensures orders are delivered on time to customers, as well as assisting with sales in Victoria.
Tim Teague
Tim TeagueFarming Operations Manager
With extensive experience across many facets of the business, Tim is now bringing his expertise to farming operations.
Erin Hart
Erin HartMarketing Manager
Erin manages the marketing, communications, and brand development for Red Rich Fruits, JV partners, and new product lines.
Peter Cull
Peter CullBusiness Development Manager
Working with our supply partners across Australia, Peter manages procurement and development of new domestic supply partnerships.
Pat Rositano
Pat RositanoBusiness Development Manager
Working with our supply partners across key markets, Pat manages procurement and development of supply partnerships.
Jorge Arias
Jorge AriasFinance & Administration Manager (NSW)
Jorge manages the office and administration at our Sydney Markets site, and finances for the NSW business. He acts as intermediary between our Market and Eastern Creek sites.
Nick Harvey
Nick HarveyNational Order Fulfilment & Asset Control Manager (NSW)
Nick ensures orders are delivered on time and that stock is accounted for, as well as controlling assets for these orders.
Richard Shen
Richard ShenQuality Assurance Manager (NSW)
Richard plans, coordinates, and directs our quality assurance program designed to ensure quality production of products consistent with established standards.
Tara Gillies
Tara GilliesQuality Assurance Manager (VIC)
Tara manages Red Rich Fruits’ Quality Assurance programs, Food Safety systems and Occupational Health & Safety across multiple sites.

SPEAK WITH OUR TEAM

Contact Red Rich Fruits today to speak directly with one of our team members.

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