JOE CAPUTO

Take an Apple for the Road.

Between 8 A.M. and 6 P.M., Monday through Saturday, Joe Caputo is the king of produce.

He grew up in the business, learning from his father at the family fruit stand before expanding that modest operation into a major produce supplier serving restaurants and supermarkets throughout New England, New York and the Mid-Atlantic.

His father taught him two rules.

Never pay too much.

And always give the customer an apple for the road.

The first helped make Joe a formidable negotiator.

The second taught him something more important: give people a reason to remember how you treated them and they'll give other people a reason to remember you.

Outside business hours, Joe happily relinquishes the throne. He'll follow Rita through an open house, critique the place afterward, and settle in with her at night for an action thriller.

Joe isn't usually the loudest person in a Seniority conversation.

He doesn't have to be.

But mention produce—particularly an apple—and somehow Joe will find his way in.

There's probably one in his pocket.