About Us
our company
Lodestone, n, a piece of intensely magnetic rock used by ancient mariners as a compass.
LODESTONE DIVERSIFIED, INC. (LDI), acting as a grower's agent, is an importer/distributor of select fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2002, LDI has an extensive customer base of wholesalers, food service, brokers and retail outlets throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada.
As Blue Book members, IFPA members, and a PACA licensed company, LDI is a fair and honest provider of quality produce.
LDI welcomes the opportunity for additional sourcing of other fresh produce items to compliment our existing product line. Inquiries are encouraged.
Our History
The evolution of Lodestone Diversified:
In 1978 Debbie Puglisi began working in the produce business with Lincoln Produce Company, Del DeMarino joined the company in the fall of 1980. Lincoln Produce was a pioneer in the import of mangos from Haiti. They began with LD-3 containers on Eastern Airlines and evolved into charter plane volume, to wholesalers across the U.S. Lincoln was instrumental in assisting the USDA to research and approve the transition from Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) treatment to Hot water treatment for importation of Mangos into the U.S. Lincoln also paved the way for new packaging ideas by importing coconuts from the Dominican Republic in bags for wholesalers, shrink wrapping the individual coconuts with header cards and then packaging them in cartons for retailers. Lincoln also imported Malanga Coco and Malanga Lila.
In 1988, Del and Debbie went to work for Couture Farms, a California family grower, who opened a Miami office and began importing Asparagus from Peru. Eventually Del and Debbie grew the customer base and were able to arrange charter planes for the growing volume of Asparagus from Peru to chain stores, wholesalers and foodservice companies. After a few years, a cold storage warehouse was built in Medley for the Asparagus and Melons from Guatemala. Couture Farms funded a hot water treatment plant in Venezuela and then began importing Mangos into Miami.
In 1996 Del and Debbie started the International Division at Ben-Bud Growers, in Pompano, along with Paul Wagner and Amy Garcia they grew the division to include items such as SnoPeas, Sugar Snaps, Ginger, Garlic, Onions, Okra, Papaya Maradol, Green mangos and tomatoes for wholesalers and retailers.
In May 2002 Lodestone Diversified, Inc. (LDI) was formed with Del, Debbie, Paul and Amy. LDI soon began importing and distributing Fresh Garlic, Peeled Garlic and Ginger from China, along with SnoPeas and Sugar Snaps from Peru and Guatemala, and Mangos from Peru, and Asian vegetables from Honduras and Guatemala. Paul Wagner left LDI in 2011.
In 2012 LDI added the distribution of Asian Veggies from Mexico, such as Bok Choy, Bittermelon, Chinese Eggplant, etc. LDI continues to import/distribute Garlic from India, Albania, Spain, Peru, Mexico, China and Argentina. LDI has contracted with warehouse facilities in the NY/NJ area, Pompano/Miami area, Hidalgo TX, and Los Angeles area for nationwide distribution from the major ports of entry. Adrienne Puglisi joined the LDI team in 2018 assisting in the accounting dept.
After 40 years of “the daily grind” in the produce business, (and many successful dealings), Del DeMarino retired December 31, 2020.
Lodestone is a proud member of the International Fresh Produce Assoc., (IFPA) and The Blue Book. We have exhibited at several annual conventions. We are a fair and honest growers’ agent/distributor/importer. References are available upon request. We carry Produce Liability insurance as well as Accounts Receivable insurance on all of our customers. We have survived the last 3 years of uncertain times, and continue to grow as a company. In May of 2022, LDI celebrated 20 years in business!