[Video length is 8 minutes 26 seconds long.]
[Transcript begins at 00:00:00 and ends at 00:09:19]
[Upbeat intro music starts playing]
[Text: "Inside Business Today Hosted by Bill & Giuliana Rancic"]
[Images display of Chicago skylights, skyscrapers, Chicago highways with cars driving in daytime and night time, collage of doctors looking at x-ray, woman in safety suit holding test tube, finger on technology, shipping cannisters, tractor on farmland, bay of shipping cannisters.]
[Upbeat intro music has an abrupt beat then ends after images done displaying]
[00:00:17]
[Video fades into Bill Rancic, Giuliana Rancic, Michael Cirandine and Sabrina Cirandine in the studio, sitting at a glass round table with Italian food products on it, zooms into Bill and Giuliana.]
[00:00:19]
[Text Overlay: Authentic Italian Flavors - Bill & Giuliana Rancic - Inside Business Today]
[Visuals: [Scrolling Ticker at bottom of screen while show goes on]: Family-owned gourmet market offering over 65% direct imports from Calabria, blending Southern Italy's flavors with everyday essentials for food lovers in Berks County. Acquired in 2007 by the grande family, transformed from a food distribution company into a thriving retail market, catering service, and national wholesaler - sharing culture, passion, and love through every bite. Signature lines like Solo Calabria, Casa Ligaro, Mangiatorella, Nonna Carmen, Fichi Marano, Pasta Pirro, Mamma Isa Pasta, Cafe Montano, Orogel, Salpa Porcini, Sila Gum, and Fiasconaro - from extra virgin olive oils to panettone, each telling a story of Calabrian craftsmanship. #1 choice in Reading and southeastern PA for weddings, corporate events, and gatherings - rustic Italian menus with custom designs, full-service setup, and mouth-watering presentations that make every occasion unforgettable.]
[00:00:19]
Bill Rancic: Hey everyone, welcome to Inside Business Today. Today we're exploring the vibrant world of authentic Italian cuisine with a family-owned business that's sharing the flavors of Southern Italy with communities across the country. Wow, I'm excited about this.
[00:00:33]
Giuliana Rancic: I know, me too. We have Sabrina and Michael Cirandine [[00:00:35] camera moves to Michael with text overlay of Michael Cirandine, Co-Owner / Russo Food and Market.] co-owners of Russo Foods and Market here to tell us how they're bringing tradition, quality, and a taste of Italy [[00:00:41]camera moves to Sabrina with text overlay of Sabrina Cirandine, Co-Owner / Russo Food and Market.] to our tables. Welcome to the show.
[00:00:43]
Sabrina: That's right, thank you.
[00:00:43]
Bill: Tutto bene.
[00:00:44]
Michael: Tutto bene.
[00:00:46]
[Camera zooms out to show Bill, Giuliana, Michael and Sabrina with text overlay Authentic Italian Imports Hub - Gourmet market offering direct imports from Calabria, Italy]
[00:00:46]
[Text overlay of Chicago Studios.]
Giuliana: Buongiorno.
[00:00:47]
Giuliana: So we're Southern Italian. You like to eat Southern Italian [gesturing to Bill].
00:00:50]
Bill: and I married a Southern Italian.
[00:00:51]
Sabrina: You did something good.
[00:00:52]
Michael: You definitely made a good choice.
[00:00:54]
Giuliana: And you were born in? [gesturing to Michael.]
[00:00:55]
Michael: I was born in Calabria, yes.
[00:00:57]
Giuliana: In Calabria, yeah.
[00:00:58]
Giuliana: Io sono Napoletana.
[00:00:59]
Michael: Napoletana. The South is coming out.
[00:01:01]
Giuliana: The South, there we go.
[00:01:02]
Sabrina: That's where the true roots and all the great ingredients are.
[00:01:05]
Giuliana: I always say...
[00:01:06]
Sabrina: always
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Giuliana: ...listen, you can find different types of food across Italy, but the Southern food, [Sabrina: Yes] there's a simplicity to it.
[00:01:12]
Sabrina: Absolutely, authenticity.
[00:01:13
Giuliana: It's all about great ingredients.
[00:01:15
Sabrina: Absolutely.
[00:01:15
Giuliana: Right. So, tell everyone at home about Russo Foods and Market. [screen text overlay: From Warehouse to Warm Welcome - Sharing culture, passion, and love through every bite.]
[00:01:20
Michael: Well, Russo, our family purchased in 2007. And when we purchased the company, we noticed that we had two great things. One was a responsibility, and the other one was the necessity of explaining to people what our purpose in the company, why we were bringing this product into an area, Reading, Pennsylvania, where nobody really had any idea what the Italian restaurant, and this kind of a level of quality of foods, and we're not in the center of New York City. We're not in Philadelphia. [Video showing Michael on the left and text to the right: Russo's Gourmet Foods & Market - Authentic Italian Imports Hub - Family-owned gourmet market offering over 65% direct imports from Calabria, blending Southern Italy's flavors with everyday essentials for food lovers in Berks County. Wholesale Expansion Success: Grown from local roots to 7 states and partnerships reaching California, supplying Michelin-star chefs to mom-and-pop spots with premium Italian goods - boosting reach and authentic flavor distribution nationwide.]
And so, while we were in...we wanted to grow our distribution side, we also wanted to make sure that we wanted to introduce these products on a daily basis to the community. So, the market idea was a great idea because we were able to [Video back to studio.] showcase every day to the local community our products. The distribution kind of grow within time and a lot of hard work behind, but that was the idea of creating this Italian lamb, an attraction for the area itself. It's our passion.
[00:02:28
Sabrina: Some customers say it's a best kept secret in our area.
[00:02:30
Giuliana: Yeah
[00:02:31
Michael: And being in, growing up in Italy, as you know, there is always a food dinner. It's not just eating the food, but it's also what's behind it. It's the culture, the tradition, the family at the table. So, all this mix of ingredients, we wanted to bring it to the normal people and say, hey, this is what's behind our products, you know, when we do the research on them.
[00:02:57
Bill: So, I want to go back to 2007. [text overly changes to: Targeted for All Tastes - Inspiring everyone to try, buy and embrace Italian passion.] You know, you guys decide to buy the company. Take me through that process. What inspired you? I know you were in the restaurant business prior to taking over Russo Foods.
[00:03:08
Michael: Well, during that year, Fiorino Grande, Sabrina's father was, he was one of the biggest builders in Berks County area. And he decided that there was a need of change in our business. We always had ideas and discussing through the years that he, I was making trips in Italy to choose my tomato, choose the pasta we were using, the olive oil, it's family owned, her mom's brothers are producers. So, we were able to kind of start some connections and...
[00:03:36
Sabrina: Saw the opportunity.
[00:03:08
Michael: ...we saw the opportunity to invest into the company. We bought the company actually was distributing our Italian goods. So, we were able to take a small distributor into within years and hard work behind into what we are today.
[00:03:52
Giuliana: How would you say that Russo [text overly changes to Family Legacy at Heart - Celebrating Italian traditions around the table.] has achieved all this, you know, huge growth, especially in the wholesale distribution? What do you think is the secret sauce there? No pun intended. I'm probably going to say that 10 times.
[00:03:52
Sabrina: I would say obviously exposure. It was big. We were able to go to trade shows and like the fancy food show, the pizza expo and obviously social media helped a lot. But more importantly, I think the connection that we have with our customers also. So, at the market, we're able to display our food and we're able to talk to the customers, show them, educate them on each product.
They come in and they talk about how they just went to Italy. They love the store and by providing them with knowledge and also even recipes sometimes suggesting how to use each product, it creates memories and a connection with our customers. And obviously exposure is huge, right, for a business.
So, you try to the Internet, social media, like I mentioned before, trade shows and amazing events like this today. Yeah. I mean, this is an amazing opportunity for us as well.
[00:05:03]
Bill: Speaking of that, let's take a closer look at Russo Foods and Market right now. Check it out.
[00:05:07]
[Video no longer in the studio. Softer upbeat music plays and video is displaying from above of a family sitting at a table serving food and an overlay of text "The business Edge. Restoring the warmth, connection, and tradition of gathering around a meal." then fades out while a fade in of the logo of Russo Gourmet Foods Market overlays the Video.]
[00:05:15]
[Video of a dining room with table, chairs and cabinetry fades in while a female Narrator speaks.]
[00:05:15]
Narrator: In homes across America... [Video of a young woman rushing and cleaning countertop is standing at a brightly lit kitchen countertop, with her laptop open. Beside the laptop is a bowl prepared for breakfast, along with a bottle of milk and a bottle of orange juice.] busy schedules, stress and [Video of a businessman in a suit walking down a street with a laptop bag over his shoulder, while eating a wrapped sandwich and holding a hot beverage.] convenience foods [Video of an overhead view of a family gathering, with hands passing dishes and serving homemade food onto plates, creating a warm, communal dining atmosphere.] have slowly replaced something our families need now more than ever, [camera drops to eye level, framing the family in their outdoor dining space. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, with laughter and lively conversation filling the air as they finish passing dishes and start eating.] the warmth, connection and tradition of gathering around a real meal.
[Video of man and woman sitting at a table facing each other but engrossed in their own meals and drinks, avoiding eye contact.] For many families, that loss is felt deeply. [Video of an outdoor banquet gathering with people smiling and eating at a table.] Food has always been more than nourishment. [Video of three generations sharing a joyful, home-cooked meal, filling the dining room with laughter and conversation.] It's culture, memory and love, [Video of family stood together at the counter, transforming fresh ingredients into a meal while enjoying each other's company.] a way for families to slow down, reconnect [Video of a family standing side by side at the kitchen island, laughing and chatting as they customized their own hand made pizza.] and share moments that matter.
[Video changes to hands turning pages in a photo album.] Across the country, more families are asking a simple question. [Video changes to an aerial shot of a arranged table filled with food focused on hands raised in a toast.] How do we bring back that feeling? [Video changes to a boy slowly running towards his smiling family sitting at a table with food and drinks on a covered patio.] For thousands of years, Italian families have used food as a way to stay centered, [Video changes to an older woman mixing a salad while a younger girl is drizzling dressing over the salad.] celebrating tradition, [Video changes to zooming over an Italian village.] heritage and [Video of a joyful family sharing a meal at the dining table, with a little girl smiling and giving her dad a thumbs-up.] time spent together. Today, [Friends and family gathered around an outdoor table, sharing a meal and warm conversation.] many American families are rediscovering the power of meals made from real ingredients, crafted [Video changes to zoom in on pizza on a wooden board.] with care and rooted [Video changes to hand drizzling oil on uncooked pepperoni pizza.] in generations of culinary wisdom.
This movement [Video changes to top-down shot of a shared meal, with family members interacting, serving salad, and pouring drinks.] toward authentic, high quality foods, food [Video changes to a heartwarming closeup of a family sitting at a table outside, holding hands, creating a circle of trust and love over a meal.] that tells a story, is helping families rebuild connection and [Video changes to people in the evening sitting at a table inside dining.] restore meaning to the dinner table. Video shows exterior of storefront with the business name Russo's Market sign and sign.] In Berks County, Pennsylvania, one family owned business is [Video changes to front of market with people walking in and a woman walking out of the market with shopping bags in both hands.] helping lead that renaissance, [Video changes to inside of market with a standing advertisement of Casa Ligaro and scans over the markets rows, aisle signs and shelves of Italian products.] bringing the flavors, heart and heritage of Southern Italy directly into American homes. [Video changes to a deliciously prepared hot deli buffet of Italian rice balls, meats and vegetables then changes to selections of pizzettes and pizzas - cheese, vegetable topped, meat topped, pepperoni and more.] Russo Food Market is more than a gourmet shop, it's [Video changes to Imported Italian Tutto Calabria products, antipasto and Solo Calabria products on shelves.] a living tribute to Italian culture.
Family [Video changes to our Nonna Carmen smiling and employees behind hot deli counter.] owned and operated, Russo's imports [Video of woman holding and looking at imported pasta package.] more than 65% [Video of 2 women shopping and placing tomato sauce in shopping cart with other products.] of their products directly [Video changes to overlooking Calabria with the coastline and boats.] from Calabria and neighboring regions. Every item [Video displays Callipo Tuna products and Rio Mare oil.], every olive oil [Video panning shot showcasing a row of imported olive oil products.], [Video shows employee's hands gently arranging fresh, ripe avocados, while various types of tomatoes are displayed organized on the shelf.]chili pepper, [Video displays Nonna Carmen sauces.]sauce, artisanal [Video displays Colacchio Mamma Isa Cavatelli & Strozzapreti Pastas.] pasta, [Video shows espresso machine dispensing expresso into a Montano Caffee cup.] espresso and holiday [Video displays an arrangement of panettones wrapped in colorful paper and in airtight festive metal cylinders on shelves.] panettone tells a story of craftsmanship, fairness and pride. What began as a small warehouse in 2007 [Video pans across stacked, imported Italian products lining the warehouse shelves.] has grown into a thriving gourmet market [The Video captures a Russo employee securing/shutting the back door of a full delivery truck.], [The Video transitions to the Russo kitchen, behind the scenes, showing our staff preparing and slicing fresh deli favorites.] catering service and wholesale [Video displays inside warehouse a high stack of Trattoria imported Spaghetti Sauce.] distributor, now serving [Video displays Russo's refrigerated hand-packaged deli fresh, Grab-and-Go Italian Market favorites.] seven states [A blue USA map graphic opens with seven states illuminated by white nodes. The selection then scales and expands to include more regions.] with partnerships expanding across the country.
In a world that moves fast [Video of a woman with a backpack stands and watches in the station as a passenger train speeds by.], Russo Food Market [Video of a woman shopper leaving Russo Market, pushing a cart of her purchases and a bag in hand.] helps families slow down, offering the authentic flavors [Video of employee keeping our refrigerated deli cases fully stocked with the freshest prepackaged items for our customers.], the heritage [Video features a framed portrait of Nonna Carmen alongside her signature product line on the shelf.] and the warmth [Video shows family at a table with food outside, laughing and smiling.] that turn a meal into a memory. To explore their products [close-up Video shot captures a hand reaching out to grab a crisp cracker generously topped with creamy Osella cheese from the deli display.], recipes [Video of various gelatos in glass refrigerated case.] and story, visit Russo's Gourmet Foods Market [Video display the 2025 Winner Readers Choice for best catering service.] and bring a taste of Italy [Video displays "Touch of Italy" banner in market.] home to your family or visit [Video shot of Italy countryside with Russo Gourmet Market Foods and website URL in overlay text.] www.russofoodmarket.com. Because great food doesn't just fill the table, it fills the heart.
[00:07:37]
[Narration ends and video returns back at studio.]
[00:07:38]
Giuliana: I love that and you know, while we were watching that, I grabbed some of your other products off the table because I had to show this because it's incredible, like even just looking at these two, [holds up the mamma Isa pasta and gummy bears products.] this is the Mama Isa dry pasta and these are gummy bears and even just the packaging alone [bill takes the Mamma Isa pasta and looks at it and turns it towards the cameras.], how incredible the range you have for packaging and products. Like you've got the very traditional looking packaging and then you've got more of a [Sabrina: chic, modern, fun]. Fun, modern, yeah. And these are gummy bears. These look delicious by the way. [text overlay of Authentic Italian Flavors - Future-Focused Growth - Committed to innovation while honoring roots.]
[00:08:05]
Bill: Don't get me going.
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Giuliana: [opens the gummy bears product.] Look how good these look.
[00:08:07]
Michael: Una tira l'altro.[Sabrina: Yeah] You eat one of them, you're going to eat the other.
[00:08:11]
Giuliana: I love it. Una tira l'altro.
[00:08:12]
Michael: It is like a chain reaction.
[00:08:14]
Bill: And I know this is a product you're really proud of. This is something you just came out, the Calabrian whole chili peppers. [Video shows the Solo Calabria - Calabrian Whole Vulcan Peppers on the store shelf]
[00:08:20]
Michael: Yes, this is the king of the Calabrian products. [Video back to studio] It's everybody that thinks about Calabria, oh, chili pepper, chili pepper.
[00:08:27]
Giuliana: This is great you guys. Thank you. [opens the gummy bears]
[00:08:27]
Michael: It's hard for me to stay home when I go to Calabria.
[00:08:31]
Sabrina: Maybe we'll see each other in Calabria some day or come to Naples.
[00:08:32]
Bill: Or next time we come to Chicago, we're going to do a cook-off.
[00:08:36]
Michael: Okay. Okay.
[00:08:38]
[Giuliana starts to eat the gummy bears.]
[00:08:37]
Bill: I'm putting the challenge on the table. This is so great. [Video on Giuliana eating gummy bears.] I really enjoyed having you guys on. This is wonderful. As they say in Italy, tutto bene. Molto bene.
[00:08:47]
Michael: Molto bene.
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Sabrina: Molto bene.
[00:08:49]
Michael: Tutto bene. Bellissimo.
[00:08:50]
Sabrina: He's trying Giuliana. He's trying.
[00:08:51]
Bill: I know about 30 words in Italian.
[00:08:54]
Giuliana: You do? I want to hear all 30.
[00:08:56]
Bill: Some that I can't say on television.
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Sabrina: I'm sure 10 of them are swear words.
[00:08:59]
Giuliana: I was going to say.
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Bill: Yes, exactly.
[00:09:00]
Michael: Those are the easiest to remember, I think. Right?
[00:09:02]
Sabrina: Yeah.
[00:09:03]
Thank you both so much.
[00:09:04]
Sabrina: Thank you.
[00:09:04]
Michael: Thank you.
[00:09:05
Giuliana: It was a pleasure. Thank you.
[00:09:06
Sabrina: Thank you so much. We appreciate it.
[00:09:08]
Giuliana: Thank you. And that's going to do it for us. Thanks for watching. We'll see you next time. Bye.
[00:09:11]
Bill: See you next time.
[00:09:13]
[Video displaying highways lit up with vehicles driving and high rises while upbeat intro music with beat while text overlay of Inside Business Today - Hosted by Bill & Giuliana Rancic, Russo Gourmet Foods Market Logo and russofoodmarket.com, copyright Multi-Media productions USA - fades out and ends
[Video and transcript ends at 00:09:19]