Brooks Announces LiDestri Foods is Business of the Month

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that LiDestri Foods
Inc., a full-service contract manufacturer and private labeler of pasta, sauces,
dips, and salsas, has been named Monroe County’s “Business of the Month” and
is featured on Monroe County’s website, monroecounty.gov.

“For over thirty years, LiDestri Foods has been manufacturing quality food products
right here in Monroe County that can be found in many of our kitchen cupboards,”
said Monroe County Executive Brooks. “I would like to thank LiDestri for their
commitment to expanding their business here and providing hundreds of jobs for
local residents.”

LiDestri was founded as Cantisano Foods by Ralph Cantisano in 1975.
Cantisano’s family previously founded the Ragu Packaging Company in 1937.
Ralph Cantisano retired in 2002 and sold the business to his partner John
LiDestri, who renamed the business LiDestri Foods, Inc.

LiDestri is headquartered at a 400,000 square foot manufacturing plant in
Fairport, NY. Other facilities are operated in Dundee, NY, Pennsauken, NJ and
Fresno, CA. LiDestri’s facilities produce 2 million jars of dips and sauces per day
and their products feed over 6 million people a day. LiDestri has undergone
significant expansion since relocating from the City of Rochester in 1995 and
employment has increased from 120 to 425 during this time.

“At LiDestri, we take great pride in the products we produce and stand firmly by our
commitment to being the best sauce and salsa producer in the world,” said John
LiDestri, President, LiDestri Foods. “I would like to thank Monroe County for
their support and the opportunities that have allowed us to grow and expand our
business operations.”

LiDestri is currently considering purchasing a 650,000 square foot building in
the Eastman Business Park to expand their oil, vinegar and spirits business and
also create a new innovation center. The $10.5 million project would result in
the creation of between 60 and 150 new jobs.