LE GRAND, CA - Leaving behind a longstanding legacy and a decorated farming career, it was recently brought to our attention that Joe (Giuseppe) Marchini passed away at the age of 84 on December 28, 2022. The Founder of California-based J. Marchini Farms had a passion for produce that went back all the way to age 13.

While Joe Marchini’s farming career may have ended with radicchio, it all began with tomatoes. Marchini’s parents, Florindo and Elisa Marchini, made a long and uncertain journey from Lucca, Italy, in the 1920s. They settled in Le Grand, California, meeting Carlo Giampaoli and founding the Giampaoli-Marchini Company, a grower-shipper of the Live Oak Brand of tomatoes.

In his childhood, Joe enjoyed being outside and watching his father farm, even growing an 11-acre crop of tomatoes at age 13. In the 1960s, Joe was offered his father’s shares of ownership in the Giampaoli – Marchini operation and started farming on his own, expanding to farming bell peppers, onions, and almonds in the 70s and 80s.

According to a release, Joe’s passion for Italian culture and fluency in the language allowed him to make connections with Italian growers, learning radicchio seed variety suggestions and growing techniques. During the 80s, he grew his first successful radicchio crop and actually drove radicchio loads to San Francisco himself to increase the market’s awareness.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the father and son duo of Joe and Jeff of J. Marchini Farms concentrated on perfecting the radicchio operation to ensure a year-round supply to the U.S. market.

In 2012, Joe was diagnosed with cancer and was backed by the strength of his family and faith. Joe’s legacy will live on through J. Marchini Farms and his family, including his adorning wife Julie; his children Lisa (Adam), Jeff (Stephanie), and Fania (Robert); along with his 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with another on the way.

“We are devastated, but the light still shines as Joe left an impression on everyone that met him, we are so fortunate to hear people speak about Joe,” the Marchini family said in the release.

We send our condolences to all who knew and loved this talented industry force.