Interview with Lou Dement of Giovanni Foods

OU Kosher certified Giovanni Foods, a third-generation family-owned company, has been producing high-quality pasta sauces and other tomato-based products since 1934. With a strong foundation in Italian tradition, Giovanni Foods has expanded its product offerings to include vinegars, shelf-stable drinks, and clean-label products. The company serves both regional and national grocery retailers, specializing in private label and co-packing services for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies. Giovanni Foods embraced kosher certification, selecting the OU Kosher for its broad recognition and commitment to quality. The company’s clean-label initiatives focus on eliminating artificial additives, preservatives, and high-fructose corn syrup, while developing allergen-sensitive, Non-GMO, and gluten-free products. Looking forward, Giovanni Foods is investing in automation, exploring new product lines, and responding to consumer demands, including the shift to natural color alternatives.

“Kosher certification plays a strategic role in expanding our market reach. It complements our clean-label and allergen-sensitive production focus.”

OU Kosher: Can you tell us about Giovanni Foods—your product focus and who your main customers are?

Lou Dement: Giovanni Foods has been in the pasta sauce business since 1934. As a third-generation, family-owned manufacturer, our roots are deep in Italian tradition. Over the years, we’ve evolved to meet the changing needs of the food industry. Our core focus remains on tomato-based products like pasta sauces, pizza sauces, and salsas. However, we’ve also expanded our offerings to include vinegars and shelf-stable drinks. We serve both regional and national grocery retailers, as well as co-manufacturing for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies.

OU Kosher: Giovanni is known for both private label and co-packing. What trends are you seeing in those areas right now?

Lou Dement: We’re seeing tremendous growth in private label, as retailers are looking to offer premium, differentiated products under their own brands. Clean label, organic, and globally inspired sauces are especially in demand. In co-packing, we’re seeing a lot of innovation from emerging brands focused on health, sustainability, and functional ingredients. There’s a growing demand for shorter ingredient lists and more transparency, and we’re helping our customers deliver that with the consistency and scalability that comes from nearly a century of manufacturing experience.

OU Kosher: Why did you get kosher certification, and why did you choose the OU?

Lou Dement: Kosher certification was a natural step for us as our customer base grew more diverse, and we expanded nationally. We chose the OU because it is widely recognized and respected—both by consumers and by the retailers we serve. It reflects our commitment to quality, integrity, and meeting the highest production standards.

OU Kosher: What role does kosher certification play in your business strategy?

Lou Dement: Kosher certification plays a strategic role in expanding our market reach. For some customers, it’s a non-negotiable requirement, and for others, it’s an added assurance of quality and cleanliness in manufacturing. It also complements our focus on clean label and allergen-sensitive production, which has become increasingly important to today’s consumers.

OU Kosher: How do you help your customers meet clean label or natural ingredient goals?

Lou Dement: We’ve spent years refining our ingredient sourcing to align with clean label initiatives. This includes eliminating high-fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, and synthetic colors while focusing on simple, recognizable ingredients. Most recently, we transitioned all soybean oil to Non-GMO to ensure the highest quality raw materials. Our R&D team works closely with customers to reformulate classic recipes or develop new products that meet clean label certifications—such as organic, Non-GMO, and gluten-free—without compromising on taste or texture.

“A good co-packer should feel like an extension of your team. It’s not just about equipment or certifications—it’s about trust, communication, and flexibility.”

OU Kosher: What advice would you give a company looking for a co-packer?

Lou Dement: Look for a co-packer with a proven track record in quality and customer relationships. It’s not just about equipment or certifications; it’s about trust, communication, and flexibility. A good co-packer should feel like an extension of your team. They should have the capability to scale with you, but also the experience to help you navigate challenges along the way.

OU Kosher: Looking ahead, what’s next for Giovanni Foods? Are there new capabilities or product areas you’re exploring?

Lou Dement: At Giovanni Foods, we’re focused on strategic growth through continued investment in automation and production capacity. These efforts allow us to serve our current partners more efficiently while creating opportunities to collaborate with new companies that align with our values. We’re also exploring innovative product lines and packaging solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers. While we embrace change and progress, we remain grounded in the commitment to quality and tradition that has defined us from the beginning.

OU Kosher: With growing concern over artificial food dyes and recent bans like Red Dye No. 3, how is Giovanni Foods responding to these changes? Are you seeing increased demand for natural color alternatives?

Lou Dement: At Giovanni Foods, we’ve long prioritized clean-label formulations, so these recent regulatory changes align closely with our existing values. We use very minimal coloring agents in our products, and when color is essential, we choose the most natural, transparent, and consumer-friendly options available. Demand for simpler, cleaner ingredients has been growing steadily, and we’re responding with thoughtful alternatives that meet both regulatory standards and evolving consumer expectations. The movement away from artificial dyes isn’t new—but we’re proud to be ahead of the curve thanks to more than a decade of commitment to clean-label innovation.

https://giovannifoods.com/