Speakers

Emilio Mignucci serves as Vice President of Di Bruno Bros. Brand at Wakefern Food Corp., the nation's largest retailer-owned cooperative with supermarket banners that include ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Morton Williams and Di Bruno Bros. In his role, Mignucci oversees the Di Bruno Bros. Brand development and growth strategy.

He joined Wakefern in 2024, following the cooperative’s acquisition of the Di Bruno Bros. portfolio of 65 branded Italian and European specialty products. A third-generation grocer and Di Bruno family member, Mignucci grew up in his family’s business and helped grow the specialty grocer into a much loved Philadelphia-brand. He previously served as Vice President of Culinary Pioneering for Di Bruno Bros., and under his leadership the family business evolved from one small store to six retail locations in the Philadelphia area with a strong omni-channel and wholesale business focused on specialty foods, artisan cheese, natural wine and craft beer, gift collections, catering services and more. 

An expert cheesemonger, Mignucci also tapped into his passion for food to expand the Di Bruno Bros. cheese selections, both in-store and online, from 50 varieties to well over 1,000 from all over the world. The Di Bruno Bros. product line includes some of the finest cheeses and spreads, signature meats and specialty pastas, sauces, oils, vinegars, crackers, sweets and more.

He has been a member of the American Cheese Society since 2002 and helped develop the Certified Cheese Professional Exam, the nation’s highest standard for cheese professionals. Emilio also served on the board of the American Cheese Society from 2012 to 2017. In 2015, he helped launch The Good Food Retailers Collaborative – a group of independently owned markets that support American craft food producers. He has also served as a Board of Director for the Specialty Food Association from 2016 to 2024. 

In 2010, the Italian Trade Commission honored Mignucci for his “Distinguished Service” in importing, representing and advancing Italian food and culture. The James Beard Foundation has also recognized Emilio for his role in making Philadelphia a world-class food city. 

Emilio still works Saturdays in the Italian Market store, where it all began.