Jefferson Parish Pulse: Boscoli Family Foods

This week on the Jefferson Parish Pulse, we talk with John Occhipinti,  President of Boscoli Family Foods. This Jefferson Parish-based food manufacturer makes an iconic Italian olive salad passed down through generations. It has become a local staple eaten on a classic New Orleans sandwich. The company has expanded its line to include other products, but it all began with a family recipe over 25 years ago. John talks about his Sicilian roots, creating a family legacy, and shares the full volume of olives that come through his manufacturing facility every year. In 2016, Boscoli Family Foods won a Louisiana Lantern Award, a prestigious recognition bestowed on manufacturers across the state. The hand-crafted, gourmet offerings created in this local manufacturing facility are sold across country and beyond.

ABOUT JOHN OCCHIPINTI:
John Occhipinti is co-owner and President of Boscoli Foods, Inc., a family-owned specialty foods manufacturer of Creole Italian Gourmet Products, located in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Founded in 1992, Boscoli is best known for its Boscoli Family Italian Olive Salad.  Throughout its course of business, Boscoli introduced Jalapeno Italian Olive Salad, Kalamata Olive Salad, various stuffed Olives, Spicy Pickled Beans, Spicy Pickled Asparagus, Spicy Pickled Onions, Spicy Pickled Garlic and Dirty Martini Juice. John has a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans. He has been a practicing attorney since 1974, with a concentration on civil trial litigation.  He is an insurance company executive and co-owner of a Louisiana Professional Liability Insurance Program, also located in Jefferson Parish. John’s family has owned and operated restaurants, hotels and food companies in both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, Louisiana, since 1946.  John is married to Kathy Barnes Occhipinti, has three children and three grandchildren.  He’s proud to  share the Sicilian food experiences handed down from his grandparents.

Feel free to listen to the full episode below. We’d love your feedback. Please feel free to email podcast host, Kelsey Scram, at kscram@jedco.org.