A brief history of Calandra Fine Foods and its origins.
Calandra Fine Foods Pty Ltd had its origins in Australia with the foundation of Calandra & Company in 1949, by Joseph and Maria Calandra, the parents of the current Managing Director, Flavio Calandra, who was born and educated in Melbourne.
Calandra & Company was one of the first importers of Italian and European Specialty Foods immediately after the Second World War. This was the beginning of the post-war migration boom that fuelled an ever exploding interest in Italian foods, not just with the new migrants but also in the wider Australian community.
As a result of its’ early entry into the market, the Company represented some of Italy and Europe’s finest food brands such as; Motta Confectionery, Cirio Preserves, Bertolli Oil & Wines, Pavesi Biscuits and De Rica Sauces. Wine brands such as; Gancia and Isolabella. Kitchen hardware brands such as; Bialetti Coffee Percolators, Faema Espresso Machines, Carpigiani Ice Cream Makers and Tre Spade Meat Mincers and Tomato Squeezers, all products that contributed to the Italian Cuisine Experience.
Today the Company continues to import and distribute specialty foods from a wider international source including the Delverde Pasta & Sauces range from Italy, Celestial Seasoning Herbal Teas from the United States of America, Kuhne and Gundelsheim Sauces & Pickles from Germany as well as some of the best known Australian brands such as; Mayfair Smallgoods, Maffra Cheeses, Mrs Crockets Salads and Snowy Mountain Bottlers Mineral Water. It also sells, under its’ own brand name ‘Belmonte’ such products as; Potato Gnocchi, Couscous, Arborio Rice, Polenta and its’ own brands of Health Food products such as; Natures Best and Hunza.
The Company is continuously searching, around the world, for new and innovative products to enhance its’ ever growing range to cater for the great diversity of cultures in our community.