Pastene Expands National Distribution Through New Kroger Partnership

Iconic Specialty Foods Brand Accelerates its Retail Expansion, Launching in 16 New States

CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS (November 6, 2024) - Pastene, the iconic purveyor of quality specialty foods, proudly announces it is launching at 1,200 Kroger stores in 16 new states. The new partnership with Kroger Co., America’s largest grocery retailer, will introduce Pastene's beloved products to millions of new customers through distribution at Kroger grocery stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Kroger and offer customers throughout the Midwest, South & Southeastern United States access to Pastene's premium specialty products,” said Joe Spinazola, Pastene’s Chief Commercial Officer. “This expansion marks a significant milestone for Pastene, especially as the company celebrates 150 years in business this fall.”

The following products are available at all 1,200 Kroger stores.

• Kitchen Ready® Ground Tomatoes: Pastene's signature product is made from tomatoes harvested once a year at peak ripeness and freshly packed within five hours, so they taste just-picked any time of the year
• Kitchen Ready® Ground Peeled Tomatoes Chunky Style: Crushed to be slightly heartier than Pastene’s original Kitchen Ready® Tomatoes, ‘Chunky Style’ is packed with sweet, flavorful chunks of tomato
• San Marzano DOP Tomatoes: One of the few U.S. brands that bear the official Denominazione d’ Origine Protetta (D.O.P.) seal from Italy, these premium tomatoes are harvested by hand and are renowned for their plump flesh, low acidity and culinary versatility
• Tomato Puree: Made from ruby-red, perfectly ripe tomatoes, never from concentrate, Pastene’s tomato puree is bursting with garden-fresh flavor and is the perfect base for sauces, soups and casseroles
• Marinated Mushrooms: Baby button mushrooms are marinated in a mouth-watering blend of premium olive oil, vinegar and fresh herbs that are delicious right out of the jar or baked, grilled, sautéed or fried
• Sliced Marinated Mushrooms with Red Peppers & Herbs: Velvety sliced mushrooms, flavorful red peppers and zesty herbs are marinated in premium olive oil, creating a harmonious savory and tangy flavor-packed punch that elevates everyday recipes

Shoppers in select regions will also find Pastene’s premium artichoke products on Kroger shelves, including Quartered Artichoke Hearts, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, and Baby Artichokes. In addition to the retail rollout, Pastene products will be available via Kroger’s e-commerce.

ABOUT PASTENE

Pastene is a legacy brand that has been bringing family and friends to the table with premium specialty foods for 150 years. The company started in 1848 when founder Luigi Pastene emigrated from Italy to the United States and started a modest pushcart operation in Boston, Massachusetts. His entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for what would become one of North America’s oldest family-run businesses. In 1874, Luigi’s son, Pietro, began importing Italian ingredients and products to Fulton Street in Boston’s historic Italian North End neighborhood, and Pastene & Co. was born. Now, 150 years later, Pastene continues to be known for its unrivaled quality and taste, carrying nearly 150 specialty products, including premium canned tomatoes, pasta, sauces, grated cheese, oil and vinegar, beans, breadcrumbs, condiments, fish products, rice, polenta, gourmet vegetables and peppers, as well as hard-to-find varieties of olives and artichokes. It remains a family-run business owned by brothers Mark and Christopher Tosi, fifth-generation family members of Pietro Pastene. More information can be found at Pastene.com and on Instagram and Facebook.

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