Difference between revisions of "Contadina Canning"

Summary
Business	Cannery
Main Location	San Jose
Active	1914 - 1920, 1931-?
Brands	Contadina, Pacific Star
Aliases	Contadina,
Successors	Carnation.

Latest revision as of 01:42, 28 November 2023

Aiello Brothers & Co, Contadina Canning, or Hershel California Fruit Products was a San Jose cannery in operation from 1914 to through the 1950's. The company as the first tomato cannery in the Unites States in 1914 in Highland, New York by Carlo Aiello. Because of World War I restrictions, canned tomatoes from Italy had disappeared, and Aiello sought to fill that void. The company moved to California and San Jose in 1917 for the better growing season, but maintained their farm in New York^[1].

Aiello Brothers operated a large cannery on Moorpark Ave. in San Jose^[2]. A Western Canner and Packer article mentioned that the cannery was operating to capacity on tomato paste, the entire pack being contracted for by Antonio Morici, Chicago importer.^[3].

Aiello Brothers sold the company to the Italo Canning Company in 1918^[4]^[5]. Morici family history noted that Aiello Brothers did not have sufficient capital to keep going, so they sold the cannery and brand to the Morici family^[6]

The new owner, Antonio Morici, was a wholesaler selling italian products in Chicago and the midwest; from 1918 to 1920, his wholesale company was the sole distributor for the products from his cannery. The cannery now operated under "The Contadina Canning Company", with business locations at 652-656 Washington Blvd., Chicago, and San Jose. Agostino Morici was listed as president, and Antonio Morici was general manager. Antonio also moved to San Jose for 1917 and 1918 to operate the cannery. Francesco Aiello was the field man. Antonio Gagni was superintendent.

The cannery reorganized as Hershel California Food Products by the 1920 season^[7]. The new Hershel California Fruit Products was operated by Aron Hershel, but continued to be majority owned by the Morici family^[8]. Hershel had already worked with the Morici family, purchasing wine in California that could be distributed through the midwest by the Antonio Morici wholesale grocery company. Hershel's last name was supposedly used to distance the company from the Morici holdings. The new company also operated independently, selling to wholesalers other than Morici.

Contadina Canning was declared as "since dissolved" in 1922 during a lawsuit over cardoons. Carlo Cervelli and Rafaelo Cervelli grew the vegetables for Contadina, but claimed that the company was unwilling to buy them once grown. Morici, Gangi, and Frank Aiello responded that although Contadina Canning had been dissolved, Hershel California Food Products was operating the cannery then and was willing to enter into contract, but the Cervellis refused^[9].

Hershel California Fruit Products took ownership of the "Pacific Star" brand formerly canned by the Salsina Canning and Packing Company in 1923^[10].

Contadina disappeared from city directories in that year. The Aiellos continued to serve as officers for Hershel California and worked at the cannery through 1927, but no longer appeared in association by 1930. Antonio Gangi, who had received shares for being superintendent for the cannery,, sold his stake in Contadina Canning Co. in 1936^[11]. Morici family history states that Francesco Aiello, Antonio Gagni, and Aron Hershel sold their minority interests in Hershel California Fruit Products in 1934 to the Moricis. Aron Hershel moved to California's Central Valley and opened the Aron Canning Company. A new cannery was started in Gilroy in 1931 under the Aiello name, but it's unclear if it was the same family that had started the cannery on Moorpark Ave.^[12]. Anthony Charles Morici, the eldest son of Antonio Morici, took over leadership of the cannery.

In 1941, Anthony Charles Morici also started the Matmor Canning Company with Fred Matalone in Woodland, California^[13] Matmor Canning Company was merged into Hershel California Fruit Products in 1953.

The Morici family widened the Contadina brand in the years after world war II, broadening their list of brokers and wholesalers through more of the United States and adding new products such as beans, peppers, soups and snacks. In 1949, the Morici family also purchased the Madonna Foods cannery in Riverbank, California^[14]. The sale of old railroad land next to the cannery (and relinquishment of government restrictions from transcontinental railroad land grant) mentioned sale of land to Hershel^[15].

Contadina was sold to the Carnation Company in 1963^[16]^[17]. Hints suggest the cannery went to Glorietta Foods and Tri-Valley Canners in later years. The San Jose cannery through at least the 1970's. By the 1990's, the site held office buildings. In the 2010's, the office buildings were demolished for apartment buildings.

Locations

Location	Years	Address	Details
Gilroy	1931		Being built
Highland, New York	1917
New York City^[18]	None	12 First Street
Riverbank, CA	1949, 1961^[19]	Stanislaus Street	Formerly Madonna Foods . Eventually sold to Sun Garden-Gagni,^[20].
San Jose, CA	1917	Moorpark and Race Street
Woodland, CA	1941-		Matmor Canning Company

References

↑ Paolo's restaurant history
↑ October 1917 Western Canner and Packer
↑ Unknown issue, Western Canner and Packer
↑ Chicago Co. Takes Over SJ Cannery: April 4, 1918 San Jose Evening News. "The Italo Canning company yesterday made deal taking over the Aiello Canning company's plant located at Moorpark and Race streets. The new owners are large manufacturers of tomato products, and they indend to increase their output materially next fall. The Italo company is a Chicago concern."
↑ July 1918 Western Canner and Packer, July 1918. "incorporators Samuel C. Wood, A.D. Suess of 20 North La Salle Street, Chicago, and I. B. Phillips of Dover, Delaware." "Capital stock is $75,000
↑ John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.
↑ Advertisement, August 1, 1920 San Jose Mercury News. "Phone San Jose 699, and arrange for free transportation."
↑ John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.
↑ Odd Vegetable is Cause of Court Litigation: April 19, 1922 San Jose Evening News.
↑ Advertisement: April 1923 Western Canner and Packer. Advertisement claims that Contadina is canning as Pacific Star "formerly canned by Salsina".
↑ Obituary: John Gangi, 82, scion of cannery family. May 2003 San Jose Mercury News. "Mr. Gangi was the son of Antonio Gangi, a native of Sicily who came to San Jose from Brooklyn, NY in 1916. The elder Gangi was one of the original tomato paste packers and a co-founder of Contadina Canning Co., once located on Moorpark Avenue in San Jose. The Gangi family sold its interest in Contadina in 1936."
↑ January 26, 1931 San Jose Evening News
↑ John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.
↑ John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.
↑ HR 1658.
↑ List of manufacturing businesses in Santa Clara County, Vocational Education memo, 1972.
↑ Contadina. Wikipedia.
↑ Canner's Directory
↑ Hershel California Fruit Products: In Plants Under Continuous USDA Inspection, 1961.
↑ November 9, 2009 Modesto Bee

[1] Paolo's restaurant history

[2] October 1917 Western Canner and Packer

[3] Unknown issue, Western Canner and Packer

[4] Chicago Co. Takes Over SJ Cannery: April 4, 1918 San Jose Evening News. "The Italo Canning company yesterday made deal taking over the Aiello Canning company's plant located at Moorpark and Race streets. The new owners are large manufacturers of tomato products, and they indend to increase their output materially next fall. The Italo company is a Chicago concern."

[5] July 1918 Western Canner and Packer, July 1918. "incorporators Samuel C. Wood, A.D. Suess of 20 North La Salle Street, Chicago, and I. B. Phillips of Dover, Delaware." "Capital stock is $75,000

[6] John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.

[7] Advertisement, August 1, 1920 San Jose Mercury News. "Phone San Jose 699, and arrange for free transportation."

[8] John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.

[9] Odd Vegetable is Cause of Court Litigation: April 19, 1922 San Jose Evening News.

[10] Advertisement: April 1923 Western Canner and Packer. Advertisement claims that Contadina is canning as Pacific Star "formerly canned by Salsina".

[11] Obituary: John Gangi, 82, scion of cannery family. May 2003 San Jose Mercury News. "Mr. Gangi was the son of Antonio Gangi, a native of Sicily who came to San Jose from Brooklyn, NY in 1916. The elder Gangi was one of the original tomato paste packers and a co-founder of Contadina Canning Co., once located on Moorpark Avenue in San Jose. The Gangi family sold its interest in Contadina in 1936."

[12] January 26, 1931 San Jose Evening News

[13] John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.

[14] John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.

[15] HR 1658.

[16] List of manufacturing businesses in Santa Clara County, Vocational Education memo, 1972.

[17] Contadina. Wikipedia.

[18] Canner's Directory

[19] Hershel California Fruit Products: In Plants Under Continuous USDA Inspection, 1961.

[20] November 9, 2009 Modesto Bee

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 | primary_town = San Jose
 | primary_dates = 1914 - 1920, 1931-?
-| aliases = Contadina"
+| aliases = Contadina,
-| successors = [[Hershel California Fruit Products]].
+| successors = [[Carnation]].
+| brands = Contadina, Pacific Star
 }}
-'''Aiello Brothers & Co''' or '''Contadina Canning''' was a San Jose cannery in operation from 1914 to 1920, and later operating possibly under similar ownership after 1931.  The company as the first tomato cannery in the Unites States in 1914 in Highland, New York by Carlo Aiello.  Because of World War I restrictions, canned tomatoes from Italy had disappeared, and Aiello sought to fill that void.  The company moved to California and San Jose in 1917 for the better growing season, but maintained their farm in New York<ref>[http://www.paolos.com/history.html Paolo's restaurant history]</ref>.
+'''Aiello Brothers & Co''', '''Contadina Canning''', or '''Hershel California Fruit Products''' was a San Jose cannery in operation from 1914 to through the 1950's.  The company as the first tomato cannery in the Unites States in 1914 in Highland, New York by Carlo Aiello.  Because of World War I restrictions, canned tomatoes from Italy had disappeared, and Aiello sought to fill that void.  The company moved to California and San Jose in 1917 for the better growing season, but maintained their farm in New York<ref>[http://www.paolos.com/history.html Paolo's restaurant history]</ref>.
 Aiello Brothers operated a large cannery on Moorpark Ave. in San Jose<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=CS0dAQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA1-PA2&ots=D1Cs1K69-i&dq=%22aiello%20brothers%22%20san%20jose&pg=RA1-PA2#v=onepage&q=%22aiello%20brothers%22%20san%20jose&f=false October 1917 Western Canner and Packer]</ref>. A Western Canner and Packer article mentioned that the cannery was operating to capacity on tomato paste, the entire pack being contracted for by Antonio Morici, Chicago importer.<ref>Unknown issue, Western Canner and Packer</ref>.
+Aiello Brothers sold the company to the [[Italo Canning Company]] in 1918<ref>Chicago Co. Takes Over SJ Cannery: [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bBwxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5527%2C3720514 April 4, 1918 San Jose Evening News].  "The Italo Canning company yesterday made deal taking over the Aiello Canning company's plant located at Moorpark and Race streets.  The new owners are large manufacturers of tomato products, and they indend to increase their output materially next fall.  The Italo company is a Chicago concern."</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=BxQdAQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA2-PA34&ots=ij5b9jjJ6x&dq=%22ainsley%20cannery%22&pg=RA2-PA34#v=onepage&q=%22ainsley%20cannery%22&f=false July 1918  Western Canner and Packer, July 1918]. "incorporators Samuel C. Wood, A.D. Suess of 20 North La Salle Street, Chicago, and I. B. Phillips of Dover, Delaware."  "Capital stock is $75,000</ref>.  Morici family history noted that Aiello Brothers did not have sufficient capital to keep going, so they sold the cannery and brand to the Morici family<ref>John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.</ref>
-Aiello Brothers sold the cannery to [[Hershel California Fruit Products]] in 1920.  Contadina disappeared from city directories in that year.  The Aiellos continued to serve as officers for Hershel California and worked at the cannery through 1927, but no longer appeared in association by 1930.  Antonio Gagni, noted as a cofounder, sold his stake in Contadina Canning Co. in 1936<ref>Obituary: John Gagni, 82, scion of cannery family.  May 2003 San Jose Mercury News.  "Mr. Gagni was the son of Antonio Gagni, a native of Sicily who came to San Jose from Brooklyn, NY in 1916.  The elder Gagni was one of the original tomato paste packers and a co-founder of Contadina Canning Co., once located on Moorpark Avenue in San Jose.  The Gagni family sold its interest in Contadina in 1936."</ref>.
+The new owner, [[Antonio Morici]], was a wholesaler selling italian products in Chicago and the midwest; from 1918 to 1920, his wholesale company was the sole distributor for the products from his cannery.  The cannery now operated under "The Contadina Canning Company", with business locations at 652-656 Washington Blvd., Chicago, and San Jose.  Agostino Morici was listed as president, and Antonio Morici was general manager.  Antonio also moved to San Jose for 1917 and 1918 to operate the cannery.  Francesco Aiello was the field man.  Antonio Gagni was superintendent.
-A new cannery was started in Gilroy in 1931 under the Aiello name, but it's unclear if it was the same family<ref>January 26, 1931 San Jose Evening News</ref>.
+The cannery reorganized as Hershel California Food Products by the 1920 season<ref>Advertisement, August 1, 1920 San Jose Mercury News.  "Phone San Jose 699, and arrange for free transportation."</ref>.  The new Hershel California Fruit Products was operated by Aron Hershel, but continued to be majority owned by the Morici family<ref>John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.</ref>.  Hershel had already worked with the Morici family, purchasing wine in California that could be distributed through the midwest by the Antonio Morici wholesale grocery company.  Hershel's last name was supposedly used to distance the company from the Morici holdings.  The new company also operated independently, selling to wholesalers other than Morici.
+Contadina Canning was declared as "since dissolved" in 1922 during a lawsuit over cardoons.  Carlo Cervelli and Rafaelo Cervelli grew the vegetables for Contadina, but claimed that the company was unwilling to buy them once grown.  Morici, Gangi, and Frank Aiello responded that although Contadina Canning had been dissolved, Hershel California Food Products was operating the cannery then and was willing to enter into contract, but the Cervellis refused<ref>Odd Vegetable is Cause of Court Litigation: [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/HistArchive/?p_product=EANX-NB&p_theme=ahnp&p_nbid=T5FO5CNRMTQxMzE4NTc2NS42MzU1MjM6MToxMTpyYS05MDAyMDAxNA&p_action=doc&s_lastnonissuequeryname=3&d_viewref=search&p_queryname=3&p_docnum=1&p_docref=v2:11342729F00F3900@EANX-NB-115A1B65C83234A0@2423164-115A1B670D5475D8@9-115A1B6A454EA098@Odd%20Vegetable%20is%20Cause%20of%20Court%20Litigat%27n April 19, 1922 San Jose Evening News].</ref>.
+Hershel California Fruit Products took ownership of the "Pacific Star" brand formerly canned by the [[Salsina Canning and Packing Company]] in 1923<ref>Advertisement: [http://books.google.com/books?id=2S0dAQAAMAAJ&lpg=RA11-PA31&ots=9RCVgwyvLz&dq=%22salsina%20canning%22&pg=RA11-PA31#v=onepage&q=%22salsina%20canning%22&f=false)  April 1923 Western Canner and Packer].  Advertisement claims that Contadina is canning as Pacific Star "formerly canned by Salsina".</ref>.
+Contadina disappeared from city directories in that year.  The Aiellos continued to serve as officers for Hershel California and worked at the cannery through 1927, but no longer appeared in association by 1930.  Antonio Gangi, who had received shares for being superintendent for the cannery,, sold his stake in Contadina Canning Co. in 1936<ref>Obituary: John Gangi, 82, scion of cannery family.  May 2003 San Jose Mercury News.  "Mr. Gangi was the son of Antonio Gangi, a native of Sicily who came to San Jose from Brooklyn, NY in 1916.  The elder Gangi was one of the original tomato paste packers and a co-founder of Contadina Canning Co., once located on Moorpark Avenue in San Jose.  The Gangi family sold its interest in Contadina in 1936."</ref>.  Morici family history states that Francesco Aiello, Antonio Gagni, and Aron Hershel sold their minority interests in Hershel California Fruit Products in 1934 to the Moricis.  Aron Hershel moved to California's Central Valley and opened the [[Aron Canning Company]].  A new cannery was started in Gilroy in 1931 under the Aiello name, but it's unclear if it was the same family that had started the cannery on Moorpark Ave.<ref>January 26, 1931 San Jose Evening News</ref>.  Anthony Charles Morici, the eldest son of Antonio Morici, took over leadership of the cannery.
+In 1941, Anthony Charles Morici also started the [[Matmor Canning Company]] with Fred Matalone in Woodland, California<ref>John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.</ref>  Matmor Canning Company was merged into Hershel California Fruit Products in 1953.
+The Morici family widened the Contadina brand in the years after world war II, broadening their list of brokers and wholesalers through more of the United States and adding new products such as beans, peppers, soups and snacks.  In 1949, the Morici family also purchased the [[Madonna Foods]] cannery in Riverbank, California<ref>John Callan and Tony Morici, "Antonio Morici Family and Contadina History", family history notes.</ref>.  The sale of old railroad land next to the cannery (and relinquishment of government restrictions from transcontinental railroad land grant) mentioned sale of land to Hershel<ref>[http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-108srpt305/html/CRPT-108srpt305.htm HR 1658].</ref>.
+Contadina was sold to the Carnation Company in 1963<ref>[http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED075620.pdf List of manufacturing businesses in Santa Clara County], Vocational Education memo, 1972.</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contadina Contadina].  Wikipedia.</ref>. Hints suggest the cannery went to [[Glorietta Foods]] and [[Tri-Valley Canners]] in later years.  The San Jose cannery through at least the 1970's.  By the 1990's, the site held office buildings.  In the 2010's, the office buildings were demolished for apartment buildings.
 ==Locations==
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 24: / Line 38: @@
 | Highland, New York || 1917 || ||
 |-
-| New York City || None || [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=12%20First%20Street,New%20York%20City 12 First Street] ||
+| New York City<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=OCYyAQAAMAAJ&amp;amp;amp;pg=PA95&amp;amp;amp;lpg=PA95&amp;amp;amp;dq=aiello+canning+highland+new+york&amp;amp;amp;source=bl&amp;amp;amp;ots=7Xv3aqGPyx&amp;amp;amp;sig=mlmTv3dMT6C2pqw-64M64B1uDXI&amp;amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;amp;sa=X&amp;amp;amp;ei=DPSqUP2iH4j2igLnh4HYCg&amp;amp;amp;ved=0CDMQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&amp;amp;amp;q=aiello%20canning%20highland%20new%20york&amp;amp;amp;f=false Canner's Directory]</ref> || None || [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=12%20First%20Street,New%20York%20City 12 First Street] ||
+|-
+| Riverbank, CA || 1949, 1961<ref>Hershel California Fruit Products: In [https://archive.org/stream/plantsunderusdac10unit/plantsunderusdac10unit_djvu.txt Plants Under Continuous USDA Inspection], 1961.</ref> || [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Stanislaus%20Street,Riverbank Stanislaus Street] || Formerly [[ Madonna Foods ]].  Eventually sold to Sun Garden-Gagni,<ref>[http://www.modbee.com/2009/11/09/926050/riverbank-cannerys-future-on-the.html November 9, 2009 Modesto Bee]</ref>.
 |-
 | San Jose, CA || 1917 || [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Moorpark%20and%20Race%20Street,San%20Jose%2C%20CA Moorpark and Race Street] ||
 |-
+| Woodland, CA || 1941- || || [[Matmor Canning Company]]
 |}
-==Details==
-Aiello family details:
-<verbatim>
-: [[[Contadina]] not listed]
-: Aiello, Joseph, baker, 865 Orchard
-: [contadina not listed]
-[no aiellos]
-: carlo Aiello, 2nd vice president, salsina canning, h 55 page
-: frank aiello, contadina canning, h 142 martha
-: joe aiello, buyer, salsina canning, 55 page
-: contadina canning company, antonio morici, antonio gagni, frank aiello, race cor moorpark
-: giuseppi aiello, laborer, 475 chapman
-: Carlo aiello, 401 h w. san fernando
-: carlo aiello, fruit broker, r 259 race
-: frank aiello, hershel california fruit produxts, r 259 race
-: joseph aiello, fruit broker, 259 race
-: no contadina
-: aron hershel mgr hershel california fruit products co h 34 fremont
-: hershel california fruit products aaron hershel, anton gagni, frank aiello, race cor moorpark
-: aiello, carlo, h 401 w. san fernando
-: frank aiello hershel california fruit products r 259 race
-: giuseppe aiello laborer h 1351 locusts
-: joseph fruit buyer h 259 race
-: hershel california fruit products aaron hershel anton gagni, frank aiello, race corner moorpark
-: aiello florence clerk hart and son 831 harliss
-: frank (frances) hershel california fruit products co h moorpark av for race
-: jean sten hershel california fruit products co r moorpark for race
-: joseph conchetta h 831 harliss
-: joseph (rose) fruit buyer h 296 hanshett
-: peter f stdt h moorpark cor race
-: rose mrs ladies furnishings 64 e san fernando
-: Hershel california fruit products aaron hershel general manager packers of contadina pacific star brands tomato paste our specialty
-: aiello frank (frances) h 998 moorpark
-: jean m. clerk hershel california fruit products r 998 moorpark
-: joe (rose) (Aiello and Aiello) h 1394 hanschett
-: joseph (concheta) lab 831 harliss
-: mary r 831 harlesss
-: peter (angeline) aiello and aiello 998 moorpark
-: rose mrs with garden city manufacturing r 1394 hanshett
-: valentine r 998 moorpark
-: aiello and aiello, (peter and joseph) fruit packers 389 n. san pedro
-: Hershel california fruit products aaron hershel general manager packers of contadina pacific star brands tomato paste our specialty
-</verbatim>
-Highland NY, and New York City office mentioned in
-[http://books.google.com/books?id=OCYyAQAAMAAJ&amp;amp;amp;pg=PA95&amp;amp;amp;lpg=PA95&amp;amp;amp;dq=aiello+canning+highland+new+york&amp;amp;amp;source=bl&amp;amp;amp;ots=7Xv3aqGPyx&amp;amp;amp;sig=mlmTv3dMT6C2pqw-64M64B1uDXI&amp;amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;amp;sa=X&amp;amp;amp;ei=DPSqUP2iH4j2igLnh4HYCg&amp;amp;amp;ved=0CDMQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&amp;amp;amp;q=aiello%20canning%20highland%20new%20york&amp;amp;amp;f=false Canner's Directory]
 ==References==

Difference between revisions of "Contadina Canning"

Latest revision as of 01:42, 28 November 2023

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