Mauro and Carmela Montalto migrated to Australia in 1952 bringing aspects of their Italian culture to feel at home in a new place. This included cheesemaking.
The Montalto family went from making cheese at home for themselves to making cheese for friends and neighbours and, eventually for the local continental grocery.
By 1955, the demand had grown so much that Mauro purchased a small factory in Bundoora which became the foundations for Floridia Cheese, named after his birthplace in Sicily.
Such was the success of the business that by 1998 another move was required to a larger commercial site in the Melbourne suburb of Thomastown. Today, excellence in cheesemaking has seen Floridia Cheese's awarded many Australian Food Award medals across their product range, including two gold in 2016.
The skills that Mauro acquired as a cheesemaker have been passed down through the family ensuring the tradition, passion and quality continues. Now Mauro’s grandchildren, the third generation of Montaltos, are continuing the family tradition.
Today Floridia Cheese has become Australia's most respected traditional Italian cheese manufacturer and is considered the industry benchmark for consistency and quality in Italian cheese products.
Its success has come from the commitment to time honoured traditional methods, passion forged from a family steeped in the history of cheese making and the determination to manufacture to the highest possible standards.
Today, Floridia Cheese remains a local, family-run business and gives back to their local community with employment opportunities and through sponsorship.
You can find Floridia Cheeses in independent supermarkets and delis, and can be found in pizzas, pastas and other delicious Italian foods sold through food service outlets.