Italian Specialty Foods Co. Colavita USA Acquires Vitelli Foods

March 5, 2025

Deal gives Colavita diversification in its portfolio as well as a larger presence in the tomato market.

Italian specialty foods company Colavita USA has acquired Vitelli Foods, owner of the Luigi Vitelli brand of pasta and tomatoes. The acquisition diversifies Colavita’s product offerings, strengthens its position as the third-largest importer of Italian pasta in the U.S. and gives it a larger presence in the tomato market, according to a release from the company.

The Luigi Vitelli brand was established in 1885 and is reportedly the first Italian food brand ever registered in America. Today, products imported by Vitelli Foods, such as pasta, beans and other Italian specialties, are distributed throughout the U.S. and sold in major supermarket chains.

Colavita expects to expand the reach and recognition of Luigi Vitelli products, and this deal follows the company’s integration of California company O Olive Oil & Vinegar. Colavita has been producing, importing and distributing specialty foods since 1938, and it is a leading extra virgin olive oil, balsamic and wine vinegar, and pasta brand in the U.S. in retail, e-commerce, club store and foodservice channels. It has production facilities in the U.S. and Italy.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.