Industry veteran Bassetti dies at 83

Robert “Bob” Bassetti, owner of B&B Produce and an industry pioneer, died Sept. 15 at age 83.

Bassetti began his produce career at R&B Produce, a partnership owned by his father and uncle, before starting B&B produce with partner Richard Bacigalupo in the mid-1970s. Bassetti eventually became sole owner of the business, with locations in Hammonton, New Jersey, and Benson, North Carolina.

Bassetti is credited with developing microwaveable wrappers for steaming sweet potatoes. His business ventures also included working in blueberries with Driscoll’s.

Bassetti’s daughter, Melanie Heath, worked with him for 17 years.

“It wasn’t always easy working for a produce legend,” she said in a news release. “He moved at a high speed with a relentless passion for his work. Dad did everything from running the forklift to selling blues with Driscoll’s.

“He was an amazing produce man, and everybody that worked with Dad loved him.”