Elkridge-based Saval Foods, LLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of Pastore’s Italian Wholesale Distributor. This move brings together two historic, family-owned Baltimore businesses and creates new opportunities to expand on the Sun of Italy brand while enhancing Saval’s existing portfolio of Italian offerings for foodservice customers.
This strategic move combines the legacy and reputation of two local institutions, providing restaurant operators greater access to Italian specialty products, preserving the authenticity of a beloved retail brand, and positioning Sun of Italy for thoughtful growth in both product variety and market reach. The addition of experienced Pastore staff and leadership to the Saval team further ensures continuity and momentum during this next chapter.
"I grew up on Lombard Street—Corned Beef Row—where my family ran a grocery store. Just down the block was Saval Foods, making corned beef, roast beef, and pastrami. We all knew each other back then, and that connection is what led me to reach out to Paul and Brian,” said Mike Pastore Sr.
He continued,
“I’m very proud of the Sun of Italy label, and keeping the tradition going in the family, so I’m very proud that Saval Foods is interested [in] building on the label and making it bigger than what it is today.”
Brian Saval, President of 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat and Executive Vice President of Saval Foodservice, added,
“We are proud to carry on the Pastore family’s remarkable 127-year legacy. Their dedication to quality and service aligns closely with our own values, and we are excited to introduce the Sun of Italy brand to our customers while expanding our support of Italian restaurants throughout the region. I’m grateful to Mike Pastore Sr. for choosing us to carry the business forward, and I look forward to having his team and Mike Pastore Jr. join the Saval family as we continue to grow the Sun of Italy legacy together.”
Paul Saval, President of Saval Foodservice, shared his perspective on the acquisition:
“Sun of Italy is a brand we’ve admired for decades. It represents the kind of time-tested quality, community connection, and commitment to tradition that resonates not only with our customers, but also with the values we uphold at Saval. We’re committed to preserving what has made it special while helping it reach more kitchens, from homes to restaurants, across the region.”
As part of the transition, Mike Pastore Jr. will join Saval Foodservice as Business Development Director for Sun of Italy, helping lead the brand’s continued growth while honoring its tradition of high-quality Italian products.
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About Saval Foods, LLC
Saval Foods, LLC is a family-owned company based in Elkridge, Maryland, encompassing three key divisions: Saval Foodservice, Deli Brands of America, and 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat. Together, these businesses serve both regional and national markets with a commitment to quality, tradition, and customer service. Deli Brands of America, Saval’s manufacturing division, produces premium deli meats and proteins sold nationwide. 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat provides fresh produce and fresh cut meat solutions to restaurants and institutions. With roots dating back to 1932, Saval Foods, LLC continues to grow while honoring its legacy as a trusted name in the food industry.
About Saval Foodservice
Saval Foodservice is the largest locally-based independent broadline food distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Elkridge, Maryland, it delivers quality ingredients, culinary solutions, and personalized service to restaurants, hospitality groups, and institutional kitchens across Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. As a fourth-generation family business, Saval Foodservice is committed to supporting local communities, building strong customer relationships, and helping foodservice operators thrive. We are proud members of UniPro, the International Foodservice Distributors Association and allied member of the Restaurant Association of Maryland and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.
About Pastore’s Italian Wholesale Distributor
Pastore’s Italian Wholesale Distributor has been a cornerstone of Baltimore’s food community for over 127 years. Originally founded as a small family grocery store on the city’s iconic Lombard Street, also known locally as Corned Beef Row, the business evolved into a respected wholesale distributor serving retail customers and local delis with premium Italian products. The Pastore family launched the now-iconic Sun of Italy brand, which became synonymous with quality, tradition, and authenticity in Italian food offerings. Through generations of dedicated service and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Pastore’s built deep-rooted relationships across the region. Under the leadership of Mike Pastore Sr., the company continued to uphold its legacy while adapting to the changing needs of its customers. Now, as part of the Saval Foods family, the Pastore legacy will continue to thrive and grow in both retail and foodservice markets.
Since 1932, Saval Foodservice has been serving Mid-Atlantic restaurants from Philadelphia to Roanoke.
We are the largest family-owned, independent broadline foodservice distributor headquartered in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas.