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A company built on tradition B
elieving Australians deserve nothing less than excellence, Turi Foods is committed to providing customers with exceptional products and quality service at an affordable price. In 1967, then 19-year-old Sam Cuteri arrived on the docks in Port Melbourne from his home in Calabria, Italy. With little experience, Sam began working at Peter Pan Poultry, a small chicken processor in South Morang. Two years later, he returned to Italy to marry his fiancée Maria, who later joined him in Australia. In 1975, the couple set up their own poultry business, officially bringing the European method of air chilling to Australia. Operating in Melbourne’s northern suburbs for more than 40 years, the family business has grown to include 15 free-range farms which produce about 1.3 million eggs a week. Marketed under brands such as Bannockburn Free Range and Golden Farms, Turi Foods processes one million chickens each week for distribution Australia-wide. And it has branched out to produce authentic Italian cheeses using only the finest of ingredients. Products such as mascarpone, bocconcini, ricotta and mozzarella are produced at the company’s modern cheese production plant in Thomastown. Up to 100,000 litres of product each week is supplied to customers across Australia and South-East Asia. Turi Foods continues to embrace change by keeping up with industry advancements and introducing new technology. All breeding chickens are farmed under strict biosecurity requirements so stock are
The entrance to Turi Foods’ head office in Thomastown.
Maria and Sam Cuteri, 1969
disease-free, producing clean, high-quality eggs. Turi Foods is proud to be part of the northern community and regularly takes part in, and sponsors, events. In 2010, the Turi Trust was established to help people in need. To date, the trust has donated more than $500,000 to the local community. Turi Foods Pty Ltd, 5 Lipton Drive, Thomastown. Opens 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-1pm Saturday, and 8am-noon Sunday. Inquiries: 9495 5300 or www.turifoods.com.au
Humble beginnings: Turi Foods’ first processing shed in South Morang. (Pictures supplied)
23 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY \ JULY 21, 2015