Ruma’s Fruit & Gift Basket World Wins Businesswoman of the Year-July 10, 2010

The Ruma family of Norwood has been part of the region’s fruit and produce trade for more than a century. Their story begins not in a warehouse or a storefront, but on the bustling cobblestones of Haymarket Square in Boston, where a Sicilian immigrant named Giacomo Ruma built a business through sheer determination and an unwavering work ethic.

🍎 A Pushcart, a Dream, and an Old‑Fashioned Work Ethic (1900–1930s)

In 1900, Giacomo Ruma founded what would eventually become Ruma Fruit & Produce and later Ruma’s Fruit & Gift Basket World. As a fruit and vegetable peddler, Giacomo owned his own pushcart on Blackstone Street in Haymarket Square. His routine was legendary:

• Arriving at 3 a.m. each morning to purchase the day’s inventory
• Working alongside vendors selling fresh crabs and fish
• Peddling green beans, tomatoes, apples, oranges, potatoes, and more
• Spending evenings cleaning produce, repairing the cart, and preparing for the next day

Giacomo offered some of the freshest and most fairly priced produce in the area. Neighborhood customers remained loyal because he provided variety, quality, and honesty — values that would define the Ruma family for generations.

What we might call an “old‑fashioned work ethic” today was simply Giacomo’s way of life.

🏆 A Century Later: Ruma’s Wins Businesswoman of the Year (2010)

That year, the business received the Massachusetts Federation of Business and Professional Women’s “Businesswoman of the Year” Award through the North Shore United Chamber of Commerce’s Family Business division.

Their application emphasized the same values Giacomo lived by: “We are well‑challenged as a family and also as individuals: our history, our education, and the dedication we have to our customers.”

Andrea Ruma Reflects on the Honor

Andrea Ruma, 35, described the award as unexpected but deeply meaningful: “We are honored — no one expected it. NFU is a wonderful group of individuals who own a variety of businesses. They help us tackle issues that arise — hiring family members, family conflict, partnerships — with solid business policies that we all share.”

Andrea also shared insights into the business’s busiest seasons, most popular baskets, and the family’s commitment to quality and presentation — from gourmet sweets to fresh fruit trays.

🎁 The Fourth Generation: How Ruma’s Became a National Brand (1980s–Today)

Despite more than 100 years of change, two core values remain unchanged:

• Superior quality
• Customer satisfaction

In 1986, Jim Ruma — now the principal owner — received a request from a buyer who wanted fruit baskets to send as holiday gifts. The recipients were so pleased that Jim expanded into fruit and gift baskets the following season. That decision transformed Ruma’s from a locally known, cash‑based business into a nationally recognized, web‑based company.

Success at Ruma’s is defined by a simple anecdote: A customer had a request. Jim responded with an exceptional product. A new business line was born.

How the Modern Ruma’s Operates

• Jim Ruma oversees every part of the process — purchasing gourmet ingredients, designing new baskets, and even assembling baskets himself to understand the workflow from start to finish.
• Mark Ruma buys fresh fruit each morning at the New England Produce Center to fulfill daily orders.
• Mary Ann and Andrea manage daily office operations.
• Andrea and Jim maintain the website and continually refine digital advertising strategies.

Their customers range from individuals ordering for personal occasions to law firms, real estate companies, insurance agencies, and even members of the Red Sox and Bruins organizations. Their largest order to date: 300 baskets for a Mother’s Day convention.

🚀 Looking Ahead: Innovation Rooted in Tradition

Ruma’s continues to evolve as customer needs change. When customers needed online ordering, Ruma’s built it. When social media became essential, they adapted to Facebook, Twitter, and Yelp. Jim keeps customers informed through weekly blog posts.

Yet despite all the progress, their mission remains exactly the same as the one Giacomo established in 1900:

Superior products. Superior customer care. The key to their success has always been — and will always be — customer satisfaction and personalized service.

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