Before becoming Wilmington residents, Lindsey Hallock and her husband Virgil Pop lived in his home country, Italy. And since moving here eight years ago, well, let’s just say it … “We noticed there is no good food and wine coming in to the Southeast,” she said. “You have to get everything from New York.”
Fortunately, they have careers in problem solving.
“His background is in warehouse automation and logistics, and food packaging. … I do a lot of regulatory work,” she said. “It’s kind of like a perfect marriage. He knows food and distribution and I have the regulatory skills to get us approved.”
Along with a partner in Italy who has been wanting to get into the U.S. market, they started the process about a year ago for a custom importing business, American Fulfillment Online. Their first shipment arrived in December. And now refrigerators full of Parmigiano Reggiano from Reggio Emilia and three selections of dry Lambrusco reside in a small warehouse near Wilmington’s port.
Hallock said the traditional trade route from Italy is well entrenched, and it can be difficult for new products to find their way to the United States.