East Coast-based importer and distributor Baldor Specialty Foods announced Nov. 5 it is mourning its founding director of wholesale, Erwan Landivinec, who died recently at the age of 66.
“Erwan will be missed by all who had the fortune to meet him, and his memory will live on at Baldor, with his customers and on menus across the U.S.,” the company said in a LinkedIn post.
According to the company’s announcement, Landivinec’s food career began decades ago in his native France where he began promoting and exporting produce, particularly endive. He found he had a passion for sourcing unique items and introducing them to new audiences. His abilities with languages — including French, English, Italian and Spanish — helped him in this endeavor.
Landivinec later joined Yonkers, New York-based importer and distributor serving retail and wholesale customers, Merex Food Corporation. There he did similar work importing and promoting specialty produce from Europe, and was the first in the U.S. to import now-common items like Belgian endive and French shallots.
While at Merex, Landivinec sold to several companies, including Baldor Specialty Foods. In 2000, Baldor founder Kevin Murphy convinced Landivinec to join Baldor, where he launched the wholesale division, known as IPEX (International Produce Exchange). According to the company, this led to more importing firsts, including Italian radicchio, Cavaillon melons, Peruvian French beans, rambutan, and mangosteen. He also launched what later became the import branch of IPEX, called Global Agri, which extended the distribution range outside of Baldor’s usual area, going as far as Chicago, Florida and Texas. He was also instrumental in developing our Urban Roots line of specialty vegetables.
Landivinec retired in 2023 following a series of health challenges and moved back to his family home in Brittany, France. According to Baldor: “He spent his final months watching the boats sail by from his front window, sipping rosé and spending time with his loved ones.
He is survived by his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Alexia, as well as brothers Yann and Hervé, and sister, Gwenola.
According to Landivinec’s obituary (as translated from French), a tribute event will be held for him on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. at the ceremonial hall, 21 Graveran Street, 29160 Crozon, France. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the fight against cancer.
