Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Diamond.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a family with strong ties to the grocery industry. My grandparents arrived to the shores of America in 1947 with $10 in their pocket, no grasp of the English language, and the shirts on their back. Most of their family had been murdered during the Holocaust in World War II back in Europe. With the help of cousins in Baltimore, my grandparents were able to buy a dilapidated corner grocery store in Baltimore City – they lived above the store as well.
By 1960, my grandfather partnered with his surviving brother and brother-in-law to open a full size supermarket. They named it Food-A-Rama. Over the next few decades Food-A-Rama grew through organic expansion and acquisitions of other grocery chains to become a 48 store conglomerate spanning across Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Delaware. By the time Food-A-Rama was sold in mid-1980s, the company held the #2 market share in the surrounding Baltimore region, behind Giant Food.
Several year ago, I embarked on a mission to document and publish the detailed story of Food-A-Rama. The idea then expanded to many other Mid-Atlantic grocery chains, past and present, and the founding families of them as well. Through countless interviews with family members of these grocery companies, as well as interviews with retired industry executives and brokers, I was able to document the rare stories that would have otherwise been gone forever once these industry titans passed away. This book became known as TASTEMAKERS.
Last year, in 2025, I published the 2nd edition titled TASTEMAKERS II with double the content at 300+ pages. Including rare interviews, photos, and a bonus section. This book is one of a kind since there is no other book on the market that documents the inspiring stories of so many Mid-Atlantic grocery companies and their founders. Encompassing the Maryland – Washington DC – Virginia – Pennsylvania areas. Grocery retailers, wholesalers, brokers, and manufacturers all in one book!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Several struggles along the way, was convincing those retired industry executives that I was genuine and wanted to interview them – I cared about their grocery experiences. Most of these former and current industry leaders granted me an interview after much persuasion during a phone call. A few of them declined to be interviewed and therefore I had to look elsewhere to fill in any historical facts, etc.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One of my passions is grocery store history. There are very few grocery store experts in the Mid-Atlantic region. I am honored to be one of them. With my TASTEMAKERS II historical grocery book, people can now read about the early, difficult days and the exceptional growth regarding their favorite grocery store. Featured grocery company founders sacrificed, took calculated risks, and persevered to eventually build a grocery business they could be proud of.
” We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I always enjoyed my job, in my teenage years – after school working in my cousin’s supermarket. Eventually worked in all the departments of the store. I learned several life skills during that time.
I had a great sense of humor and curiosity. Was definitely into video games in high school, as well as sports and photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://a.co/d/01NyOwwt
- Facebook: TASTEMAKERS – Historical Grocery Book
