History of Jordan Banana Company

History

Whether it's timing, a sense of duty, or a love of the business, 70% of First generation Family-owned businesses succeed to the Second Generation, it falls off significantly after that. Only 10% make it to the Third generation and a mere 3% make it to the Fourth generation and beyond, according to Priscilla Cale, director of the Family Business Program at the University of Connecticut(www.business.uconn.edu), in Storrs, Ct.

We are Proud to be part of the 3% of family business beating the odds. Jordan Banana is a fourth generation company started in 1890 by Annie McGillivry-Giordano, and her husband Rafael and his Brother's Thomas, Fraley, and Anthony Giordano. Annie and the Giordano Brothers started the business with a pushcart, selling bananas and other fruits and vegetables in the then-bustling streets of Mckeesport. At some point they decided to become banana specialists, buying and processing bananas. Selling bananas is a lot different than selling other types of fruits and vegetables. Special skills are involved in the banana ripening process. Some would consider the ripening process an art.

Bananas are picked “dead” green in Central America and shipped hanging from hocks in un-cut full stalks by train or boat then trucked to their destination. When the bananas arrive they need to be in a temperature-controlled ripening room. This was a difficult task without the technology of today. The first Banana Room the Giordano's used was an underground room in the basement of 418-20 Huey Street in the heart of downtown Mckeesport Pennsylvania. The room had only a very small opening in the ceiling were the banana stalks were handed down through, and depending upon the season, blocks of ice or oil heaters were used to adjust the temperature. Learning this Art enabled the Giordano's to not only supply their store front with quality bananas but, it also enabled them to become a supplier to the multitude of “Mom and Pop” Grocery Stores of that time. They labeled their product and business Mckeesport Banana's.

At some point The Giordano's made the decision to Americanize their name and Mckeesport Banana became Jordan Banana. Not so long after it was time to pass the baton. The business and the Art of banana processing was passed down to Annie's eldest son, Anthony C. Jordan, nicknamed by his younger siblings, “Brother”. Brother would eventually, with the help of his two younger brothers, Donald and Frederick expand the operations into two facilities. Jordan Banana in the “Strip District”of Pittsburgh and Jordan Banana on O'neil Blvd in Mckeesport.

As the two divisions of Jordan Banana grew, so did the families of Anthony, Donald, and Frederick. Donald Jordan who ran the Strip District division, has two son's Donald Ralph and Clyde Jordan that where learning the business and Donald saw them as the future of the division. Donald decided it was time to split from his brothers and his division became The American Banana Company. It is now located on Crooked Run Road in Mckeesport and is owned and operated by the Third generation, Donald Ralph and Clyde Jordan.

The split inspired Anthony C. Jordan “Brother” to open another division of Jordan Banana. He opened a produce division called A.C. Jordan Produce. The Produce division was run at the O'neil boulevard location and the Banana Operations eventually moved to Railroad Street Mckeesport. “Brother” and Frederick remained partners in both operations into the nineteen eighties. At this time Frederick was ready to pass the baton to the Third generation, his Son's Fred and Douglas Jordan, and his Daughter's Patsy Fiasco, Juneanne Pitterich and Jan Chemsak.

About the time Frederick's children were taking the baton the business was going through a change. The “Mom and Pop” Grocery's (our target customer base) were becoming extinct due to the emergence of the Large Grocery Store Chains. And The Large Grocery Chains were becoming independent from outside Vendors they were opening there own warehouse operations. It was inevitable that they would soon learn the Art of processing bananas and become completely independent. Fred and Douglas Jordan were aware and decided to diversify and become a full line produce supplier. In addition to targeting Grocery Chain Stores and “Mom and Pops” they were now targeting expanding markets; Restaurants, Schools, Hospitals etc.. Not long after, with the idea of the “one stop shop” Fred and Doug decided we could serve our customers better the more we had to offer and we became a Full Line Food Service Supplier.

The Art of processing bananas that was passed through three generations has stopped at Fred Jordan, the current Vice President of Jordan Banana. We no longer process bananas but, the sense of duty and love of the business is still very strong within the current family members. Jordan Banana is now passing the baton to the fourth generation. While the Business is still owned by Frederick Jordan now 87 years of age, who is part of the second generation, the daily operation are run by Third generation Fred and Doug Jordan, Juneanne Jordan-Pitterich, and Jan Jordan-Chemsak and Fourth generation Fred's Son, Mark T. Jordan, Douglas Jordan's Son's Jeffrey and Jared Jordan and Daughter Melissa Jordan, and Juneanne Jordan-Pitterich's son Jordan Pitterich.

For Information on Bananas and how they are grown and processed check out this link.