Our Story...

Let me introduce myself…

I am David Argento 
(also known as “Papa”)

The roots of Papas Market are buried deep here in The Buchanan Valley in Orrtanna, PA, where my sister, Kathy, & her husband, Dave Reid, (of Reid’s Orchards, Vineyards & Winery) purchased a tired little orchard back in 1976. The orchard was originally 15 acres, which we quickly expanded to 115 acres with cooperative purchases from neighbors. 

Our orchard is the highest altitude site in the area where apples, stone fruits, and wine grapes are grown, at 1370 feet. The soil type is Mt. Airy channery loam, an upland type that is heavy with decomposed schist and slate. In short… well drained and perfect for quality terroir!

“Papa’s Market” was born when my father, “retired” to the orchard about 38 years ago. He fostered strong relationships which evolved into deep friendships’… this allowed for a greater range of high-quality fruit, as each of our friends had their own unique terroir, and unique growing philosophies. 

Dad, Dave, Kathy, and I spread from there, utilizing the produce of our home orchard and that of our legendary neighbors to start a series of farm markets that ranged from here to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas. We later began a relationship with the gang at Kinkaid’s, birthing our restaurant supply business.

My dad became a local legend known as the one and only “Big Papa”, “…the guy who could get if for you”. 

After assisting “Big Papa” for many years, leaving for a span, and returning 8 years ago, dad’s legacy was passed to me.

My dad used to tell me: “You know that thing about ‘…you can’t go home’? That bulls-. You just need to know where home is…”
Well, I am home!

Thus enters the new “Papa” and a new era of “Papas Market”.