Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Just Ryt Foods
Fort Lauderdale-based Just Ryt Foods specializes in importing and distributing Italian foods including olives and olive oil, balsamic vinegars, pasta, sauces and cheese. The company was founded by a grandfather and grandson, Joe and Justin Comparetto in 2010.
Justin’s grandfather died last year, but the company has continued as a family affair. Justin, who is the company’s president, has been in the business by family members Ryan Braun, 33, and Jordan Comparetto, 25. Ryan’s wife, Alicia, also pitches in when she’s not caring for the couple’s two children.
Through perseverance, Comparetto said Just Ryt Foods landed on the shelves of Doris Italian Market, Penn Dutch meat market, Carmine’s Gourmet Market and Milam’s Markets in South Florida, and the Kroger grocery chain in the Midwest.
Mike Giano, general manager for Penn Dutch in Margate, said Just Ryt Foods delivers what the market needs, whether it’s a special food or a better price. Just Ryt “is flexible — they adapt to the needs of the business,” he said.
Comparetto was just 19 when the business launched in 2010. “I looked young so they would call me the Olive Boy,” said Comparetto, now 27. The nickname didn’t bother him, he said. “I don’t care as long as they give me the order.”
Just Ryt Foods now sells its own brand, Giusto Sapore, at stores and most recently online through Amazon. Comparetto and Braun came up with the brand name “Giusto Sapore” after entering “just right flavor” into Google Translate.
Just Ryt works to deliver authentic Italian flavors and goods to its customers. Comparetto said the company has learned from being burned once by a seller of olive oil that turned out to be blended with vegetable oil. He tasted it and it never got to store shelves.
Now he travels to Italy during olive harvest season, where “we’re picking out the olives and watching them being crushed,” he said.
Just Ryt generated about $5 million in 2016 sales, up from $3.7 million in the prior year. The company employs 20 people.