Food Label - La Tosca Sauce, 1950s

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This item is on display at Melbourne Museum

Summary:: 'La Tosca' sauce label for labelling tins of food produced by La Tosca Food Processing Company in the 1950s.

La Tosca was founded by Nello and Bruna Borghesi in 1947 at 12 Bennett Lane, Melbourne. They had migrated to Melbourne from Italy in 1929. They produced tomato concentrate, tuna, asparagus, peppers and a bolognaise sauce under the label of 'Sugodoro' ('golden sauce'). The tomato paste was the most popular product and was predominantly sold to Italian delis and restaurants to make the base of sauces. The same label style was used from 1947-52.The vegetables were supplied by Victoria Market and tomatoes from Werribee market gardens.

In 1952 the production of the canned vegetable products stopped and only the tomato sauce line of Sugodoro continued. This was due to the competition of large companies such as Heinz and Campbells, as the family could never hope to meet the mass production abilities of these large corporations. In 1957/58 the family moved into handmade fresh pasta production, and grew into frozen pasta products in the 1960s. In 1972 La Tosca relocated to larger premises in Victoria Street Brunswick where they remain in operation today, managed by son Lio Borghesi and his children.
Description:: Rectangular red and cream paper tin label.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mr Lionello Borghesi, 2006

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	106 mm (Height), 255 mm (Width)

Tagged with:	food processing
Themes this item is part of:	Borghesi Family, Italian Migrants, 1920s, La Tosca Food Processing Company, Melbourne, Italian Historical Society CO.AS.IT. Collection, Migration Collection, Working Life & Trades Collection
On Display at:	Melbourne Museum
Primary Classification:	MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRY
Secondary Classification:	Food & Drinks
Tertiary Classification:	product packaging
Inscriptions:	La Tosca Sauce for Spaghetti, Macaroni, Rice, Meats, Etc.' /La Tosca Food Processing N. Borghesi, 12 Bennett Lane Melbourne.
Manufacturer:	La Tosca Food Processing, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1950s
References:	Images of the La Tosca factory and staff held by Italian Historical Society; La Tosca exhibition file, 'The Melbourne Story'