Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce

Francesco Rinaldi is about an Italian family’s tradition of hard work, respect, and integrity. This tradition began in 1937 in Rochester, New York, when Assuntha and Giovanni Cantisano made spaghetti sauce in their basement and sold it on their front porch. They gave their sauce the brand name that later became probably the most successful brand for pasta sauce – Ragu. 

In the 1970s, Ralph Cantisano sold Ragu and founded Cantisano Foods. He passed the management to Giovanni LiDestri, the protégé he handpicked from the Ragu production floor. Giovanni began to produce a pasta sauce based on an Italian family recipe handed down for generations. He branded the sauce Francesco Rinaldi, and gave the brand the iconic label with a beautiful woman in the centre. Giovanni’s daughter Stefani described the woman in these wonderful words – “she was called Madonna, ‘my lady’ in Italian. She is a realistic depiction of the many strong, hard-working and gorgeous women in our family.” 

After Ralph Cantisano retired, the company was renamed LiDestri Foods. Today, Giovanni   heads the company, but the tradition and quality remain. All across USA and where ever Rinaldi is available, consumers are choosing Francesco Rinaldi for its authentic Italian flavour and great value.