Sonoma Seafoods Company History

Sonoma Seafoods was originally founded as M.S. Intertrade in 1993 by three friends with a vision and a shared passion for good food.

Founding partners Matt Mariani, Charles Hansen and Scott Gray launched the company in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country that year. From the outset, the trio had more than 40 years of combined experience in the seafood industry and a commitment to customers and quality not often found in the food business.

Recognizing a need for a high-quality, center–of–the–plate seafood entrees, the trio developed a line of products under the Sonoma Seafoods brand label.

The company raised the bar bar by providing retail and home customers with a fresh product, delivered directly to their store doors via FedEx.

Sonoma Seafoods' fresh product lines proved very popular and the company continues to prosper and expand. Today, Sonoma Seafoods plants produce close to 20,000 stuffed entree portions per day.

Sonoma Seafoods originally launched in Santa Rosa, California, in the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country north of San Francisco.

As the demand for our products increased, company founders realized one plant located on the West Coast couldn't keep up with demand. In 2000, Sonoma Seafoods built a second plant in Elgin, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

"We knew it was crucial to provide the same great products and fast service both locally and nationwide. By creating a second manufacturing and shipping hub in the center of the nation, we knew we would be able to provide our East Coast customers with continued great service and fresh products," explained co-founder Matt Mariani.

Demand for Sonoma Seafoods products continued to grow. In 2002, the company expanded its product lines with Sonoma Foods, creating "affordable gourmet" poultry, pork, and beef entrees.

In January, 2006, Sonoma Seafoods opened a third plant -- its newest, largest facility to date in Sparks, Nevada, just outside Reno. This expansion has allowed the company to significantly increase volume, while containing costs.

The company now employs more than 100 people in Nevada and Illinois. It currently ships to more than 2,000 national retail stores and have been successfully delivering fresh orders via FedEx for 10 years.

In November, 2009, Sonoma Seafoods joined industry leader Slade Gorton. Family owned for more than 100 years, Slade Gorton and all of its network of partners are committed to sustainable fishing practices and faithfully shepherding the oceans of the world - Earth's largest food source - for generations to come.

Sonoma Seafoods is proud to become part of Slade Gorton's family of fine food providers, bringing to the company the flavors of California and the Pacific Northwest.

Sonoma Seafoods is looking forward to its second decade of growth in providing quality, delicious entrees and innovation as part of the Slade Gorton family.

About the Sonoma Seafoods Difference | Our Tradition of Quality