"Mechanical harvesting would help us save time and resources we could then invest somewhere else... Purchasing raw material from third parties would enable us to increase production... This is all true, but Mastrototaro Food is not interested," explains Mauro Mastrototaro, owner of the company founded in Apulia in the 1960s.
Quality is more important that figures and volumes for this company. Its love for nature, for working the land and growing vegetables using traditional techniques prevail over an industrial mentality focused on producing a lot even if it means sacrificing quality and organoleptic properties.
Mauro Mastrototaro
Fratelli Mastrototaro Food is a direct producer of tomatoes, artichokes, eggplants, bell peppers and zucchini. It also commercializes premium Apulian processed products. Mastrototaro Società Agricola was established already in 1956 by producers of wooden packaging for the fresh produce sector and started growing fresh produce in 2006, becoming a leader both in Italy and abroad.
The produce is brought directly to the company laboratories to produce delicious eggplants, mushrooms, bell peppers, artichokes, tomatoes, olives and zucchini in oil as well as 'antipasto biscegliese' - a true explosion of flavors. The vegetables are also used to make spreads perfect for colorful and tasty entrées, delicious sides and quick meals.
In addition to the most traditional products, Mastrototaro Food also produces typical local ready sauces, including classic tomato and basil passata and rare recipes such as the "Pric o Prac" tomato and pepper sauce originally from Molfetta and even jam made from Apulian grapes - a true delicacy.
Products are fully natural and each one exalts the fragrance of seasonal vegetables without the need for semi-processed products or brine, meaning flavors are always well-balanced.
"Our leading products are the classic sauce made with Apulian round tomatoes grown on 30 hectares and available in 580 g jars, dried tomatoes and artichokes in oil. These are artisanal products whose added value is represented by the short chain and processing that focuses on obtaining the best quality."
"When it comes to dried tomatoes, we are among the few Italian companies to process them according to certified health and safety standards. 90% of the market is dominated by dried tomatoes from North Africa (Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia) sold at an average starting price of around €3 against the €7 of the Italian product. However, our products are guaranteed against mold and boast saltiness levels that guarantee their flavor, shelf-life and food safety. We are highly specialized in the processing of dehydrated tomatoes, so much so that we initiated a sort of industrialized process for them."
Products are processed and packaged respecting the rhythms of nature just a few hours from harvesting, without storing them in drums or using semi-processed products, in order to preserve their organoleptic quality. Operations are performed by hand, with a cooking process that ensures low thermal stress and which varies depending on grades.
“Our products definitely combine our two souls - a farming one that respects natural cycles and the one that sees us process products which are then commercialized in various high-end platforms and specialized stores. Over the years, we have managed to grow on the foreign market too - especially in Canada, Japan, Germany and Switzerland."
Mauro Mastrototaro
Mastrototaro Food
Via S. Andrea 299, Bisceglie (BT)
+39 0803958604
+39 335 7277459
[email protected]
www.mastrototaro.org