Building on a Strong Foundation
To begin, we turned to that same trusted Italian family friend for guidance. Not only did he help us acquire the business, but he also introduced us to his pasta manufacturing partner in Italy, Maestri Pastai, located near the Port of Salerno.
This was more than a transaction; it was the start of a true partnership with a company that shares our commitment to
tradition, quality, and craftsmanship.
But we didn’t stop with pasta. We knew a proper Italian meal also calls for the rich, vibrant flavor of authentic tomatoes. So we partnered with Conditalia, a well-respected producer of tomatoes from the Campania region, just beneath Mt.Vesuvius.
These tomatoes grow in volcanic ash soil, the same that has nourished the famous San Marzano variety for centuries. With no additives, no chemicals, just 100% pure Italian tomatoes, they are some of the best in the world and a perfect match to our pasta.
The company we now operate was originally founded in 1994 by Bob Meruca, an Italian who moved to the United States during WWII. Though he made a life in the U.S., Bob maintained close ties to Italy, where much of his family still lives. When offered a similar opportunity in 1994, he launched what would become a nationwide business distributing Italian pasta and tomato products. Together with his partner, Giovanni Castiello, Bob built a successful manufacturing plant that
remains the source of the pasta we import today.
As we step into the next chapter of Maestri Italiani, we’re proud to continue that legacy and reintroduce these amazing products to the U.S. market.
Our pasta is crafted using the bronze wire drawing method, a traditional technique dating back to the 17th century. The pasta dough is extruded through a bronze die, creating a rough texture that holds sauces better and delivers a richer eating experience. Unlike smooth, factory-made pasta, our product brings a noticeable improvement to every dish.
Our tomatoes are grown in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area of Campania, under the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. The volcanic soil, ideal climate, and traditional farming techniques give our tomatoes a unique, robust flavor and exceptional quality. Conditalia has been selecting and canning tomatoes from this region since the 1960s, using rigorous quality control to ensure only the best make it to your kitchen.