The Lost Art of Grocery Buying

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – When most people go to sleep, Fabrizio Casini gets to work. The long-time produce buyer for Hiller’s Markets begins his day at 2 a.m., cruising the crates and stalls of Eastern Market for the best selection of locally-grown produce, then making his way to the Produce Terminal to place orders for all seven Hiller’s grocery stores.

Casini lifts a local peach, puts its soft skin to his nose, then takes a bite, casting it away as unripe. Only the best and finest produce finds its way into Hiller’s, chosen for sensory and nutritional supremacy by Casini, who was raised in Italy the son of a produce market owner; he learned the contours, flavors and value of fruits and vegetables from a very young age.

It’s rare these days to find a grocery where items are chosen by the expert oversight of a well-schooled buyer, an individual who lives and breathes the personal procurement of products. At Hiller’s, it’s the rule of law – every single department is headed by an expert who spends their days walking the walk and ensuring top quality for Hiller’s shoppers.

“Hiller’s shoppers know they’ll never buy tomatoes or spinach tainted with e. coli,” says Jim Hiller, CEO of the 68-year-old family-owned company. “We are zealous in our selection – every piece of produce, every pork chop and beef shank, every fish fillet and quart of milk come with the assurance of top quality for the best price around. That trust is irreplaceable; it’s something you can’t find easily these days, which shoppers have come to expect from Hiller’s.”

Join Fabrizio Casini for a real-time tour of The Lost Art of Grocery Buying! Learn the Hiller’s way, behind-the-scenes, as Mr. Casini makes his daily trek to select only the finest fruits and vegetables. It’s a story most consumers don’t know but would certainly appreciate in this era of health-consciousness and concern about supreme value.

In a year, an estimated $400 million of produce moves through the Produce Terminal to end up on local tables. Every morning, Hiller’s buyers are the first to walk these familiar paths, choosing quality and flavor from ice-cold coolers and confirming that every palette contains Hiller’s high-standard freshness.
“Nothing worth having comes easy,” says Jim Hiller. “My company would be nowhere without talented individuals like Fabrizio Casini. We at Hiller’s live by the Scottish proverb, ‘He that would eat the Fruit must climb the Tree.’ It takes work to make a truly worthwhile product.”

The leader in the Michigan Initiative, Hiller’s has long been committed to showcasing locally-made, grown and produced food items. Now, join Hiller’s in its quest for back-to-basics value – featuring the best products at the best prices.

Hiller’s groceries are located in Ann Arbor, Berkley, West Bloomfield, Northville, Plymouth, Commerce Township and Union Lake. Many company employees have been at Hiller’s for decades – symbolizing the quality behind the brand. Hiller has always been guided by the societal impact of store activities and corporate decisions.

Accompany a Hiller’s produce buyer to witness first-hand the Lost Art of Grocery Buying! (By appointment only.) For more information, or to schedule an interview or tour, contact Lynn Lederman at email lynn.lederman@hillers.com.

For publication purposes, please use the Hiller’s corporate number: (248) 355-2122.

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