Del Monte Tomato Sauce History

Katy Olsen

Jason Eisenberg

Del Monte Tomato Sauce

Del Monte Foods is part of an industry that manufactures and wholesales processed and packaged foods. While the exact origin of "Del Monte" is unknown, the name was used in the 1800's by an Oakland, California, food distributer for a brand of premium coffee made especially for the elegant Hotel Del Monte on the Monterey Peninsula. In 1802, the firm expanded their business and used "Del Monte" as the official brand name for their new line of canned peaches. Soon after, the company joined the California Fruit Canners Association, and emerged as one of the featured premium brands. After the creation of the famous Del Monte shield was adopted, the company went on to become the first fruit and vegetable processor to advertise nationally in the evening post in 1917. Full color ads in national magazines like Good Housekeeping and the Saturday Evening Post emphasized high quality, good taste and good nutrition. Around that time, three of the leading canning companies, including Del Monte, merged together to form California Packing Corporation, or Calpak. With their ever expanding businesses, the corporation adopted the name of its leading brand to become Del Monte Corporation. The company made headlines in 1971, when they became the first major U.S. Food processor to voluntarily adopt nutritional labeling on all their food products. Eight years later, the company was acquired by R.J. Reynolds Industries (later RJR Nabisco). After several changes of ownership Del Monte Foods is today the largest food company operating under a single brand name. In addition to their line of cans and food, they are also one the leading industries in pet food. The Del Monte name remained a familiar brand with a proud history on supermarket shelves, and has a reputation of producing high-quality products with affordable prices.