ABOUT US
WITH PASSION SINCE 1903
La Fonte was founded in 1903 in Mercato San Severino, near Salerno, in Southern Italy. What began as a family trading business, working closely with local farmers in the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese, naturally evolved into producing and packing tomatoes - starting with San Marzano varieties grown in the area’s volcanic soils. From the beginning, the approach has been simple: respect the land, work with quality raw materials, and preserve flavour at its best moment.
Four generations later, tomatoes remain at the centre of what we do. We are still a family-run Italian business, producing in Italy and focusing on what matters - flavour first, not shortcuts, not trends. We work with Italian tomato varieties, process them close to where they are grown, and keep things as simple as they should be.
We are among the oldest tomato producers in Italy, listed in the Registro Imprese Storiche, recognising over 120 years of continuous activity and deep roots in the territory. What matters is not just how long we have been here, but how that knowledge has been passed on - each generation building on the last, with the responsibility to leave the company stronger for the next. La Fonte is about good Italian tomatoes, made for everyday cooking - and meant to be shared, every day.
RIGHT TOMATO, BETTER RESULT
Over more than a century of working with tomatoes, one thing has become clear: not all tomatoes behave the same in the kitchen. Some release more water, some cook down slowly, some stay fresh and bright, others develop depth and richness over time.
That’s why, at La Fonte, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all tomato. We select, grow, and pack different varieties for how they perform - not just how they look. Each tomato in our range has a clear role, whether it’s for authentic pizza, long-simmered sauces, quick everyday meals, or more refined preparations.
This approach helps home cooks, chefs, and pizzaioli achieve more consistent results, better balance on the plate, and greater confidence in the kitchen. It’s a simple idea, shaped by experience: choose the right tomato, and the result takes care of itself.
OUR TOMATO UNIVERSE
Each La Fonte tomato is chosen for a specific use:
FOUR GENERATIONS. TOLD THROUGH OUR WORK.
A story shaped by the land, by tomatoes, and by how both have evolved over time.
At the time, tomatoes were seasonal: fresh in summer, preserved in simple artisanal ways to last through winter.
San Marzano tomatoes - grown in our fields and sourced from local farmers - became the reference for canning, mainly exported to Italian communities abroad, especially in the United States.
At the time, San Marzano was already the standard for quality in the canning industry.
Exports grew across Europe, following the development of the Italian canned tomato industry and increasing demand for preserved foods.
Alongside tomatoes, new product lines were introduced.
In the same period, the industry gradually shifted toward more consistent and higher-yield varieties such as Roma tomatoes, better suited for large-scale processing.
The business became more integrated, supporting growing volumes and expanding across Northern Europe.
Tomato processing evolved further, with a broader range of formats beyond whole peeled tomatoes.
Production evolved: canned fruit was phased out, beans were introduced, and new tomato formats such as chopped and diced gained relevance in line with industry trends.
Across the industry, tomato harvesting and processing became increasingly mechanised, allowing larger volumes and wider sourcing across Southern Italy - including Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, and Lazio.
Production moved from local to regional scale.
The company expanded internationally, reaching new markets and developing a broader product range.
Alongside traditional tomatoes, more specialised and gourmet varieties were introduced.
La Fonte was reintroduced, reconnecting with its origins and focusing on North America.
A new site was secured in Mercato San Severino - reinforcing our roots while building the next phase of growth.
