Who we are
Our Family
The Conga Foods story is the Valmorbida family story which has built a company from a single bricks and mortar store to the business it is today.
Family Values
The current Valmorbida generation continue to lead the business with the same passion for quality, authenticity, and relationships as their father and grandfather.
The family are values-led in how they operate the business.
They believe and are committed to:
- Fairness created by equality of process, transparency and share of voice.
- Diversity in all its forms, and recognition that this makes the business stronger.
- Treating all people and relationships with respect and understanding.
- Being responsible to the business, its people, the environment, stakeholders and the community.
- Operating with integrity and decency.
- Supporting people to achieve their full potential.
Shared Principles
In addition to family values, the business is governed by a set of shared principles:
- Authenticity: To sell a product or service, it must be good and offer good value. Deserve to be proud.
- Passion: Inspiring others comes from building expertise and caring about what we do. Be ambitious and engaging.
- Service & Partnership: Without leading service and genuine partnership, all we’ll be left with are missed opportunities. If you aren’t improving, you are losing.
- Family & Respect: Success and challenge must be a shared concern. Be the family and team you seek.
Depth of Expertise
The family delegates day-to-day governance to a board, balancing family members with advisory board members, who bring further expertise, commercial acumen and new thinking to the business.
The business is led by David Valmorbida, Executive Chairman and supported by Marc Valmorbida as Executive Director and specialist in supply chain management, infrastructure and investments. David and Marcs’ sister, Carla Valmorbida is a Non-Executive Director on the board.
For David, Marc and Carla, leading the business is about building on their family’s positive legacy and building and supporting a highly capable team who share their ambitions for strong and sustainable growth.
Ovens Valley, Victoria, 1926-27
1925-29
Fulvio Valmorbida travels from Valli del Pasubio (Northern Italy) to Australia where he worked in the tobacco fields in the Ovens Valley (North-east Victoria). Soon thereafter he’s joined by his wife and son, and acquires a 200-acre farm at Myrtleford, Victoria with a small house and drying kilns for curing tobacco.
Fulvio, Agnese and family. Saverio stands second from the right
1930-49
Fulvio and his family return to Italy with a small profit from the farming in Australia and a keen eye for business. Fulvio starts running two grocery shops and a small farm as his own business. It’s during this difficult period of World War II that the family grows to eight.
An early Agostino truck
1950-54
Fulvio’s eldest son, Carlo, returns to Australia in 1950 and starts to work in a small continental grocery store in Carlton, Melbourne called Frank Agostino, known for stocking European specialty foods such as lentils and chickpeas. Four months later, he’s joined by the rest of the family, and in 1951, Fulvio and his three eldest sons purchase the business for 15,000 sterling.
Saverio working at Frank Agostino
1955-64
In 1955, Saverio purchases his father’s share of Frank Agostino and the four sons embark on a vision to expand the business and retail footprint, which includes the now famous King & Godfree in Lygon Street Melbourne. With their entrepreneurial endeavour, they form two additional new businesses; Jarvis and Macquarie. Jarvis focused on importing food from around the world whereas Macquarie, a tuna fishing business, pioneers the now popular concept of canned tuna in olive oil under its now iconic brand, Sirena.
Conga Foods in Nicholson Street, Carlton North (Melbourne)
1964
The brothers incorporate a wholesale company and Conga Foods is formed. The origins of the name is thought to stand for Continental Grocery Association. However, its orgins actually come from the coal-fired heater that various grocery store owners would gather around during winter.
Conga Foods truck with branded livery: ‘Sirena’ Tuna, ‘Bisleri FerroChina’ and ‘Sasso’ Olive Oil
1965-74
During this decade, Conga Foods experiences great success through new brands like ‘Salvo’ and ‘Coppa D’oro’ Oils, ‘Sasso’ Olive Oil, ‘Locatelli’ cheeses, ‘Jarlsberg’ cheese, ‘Sirena’ Tuna, ‘Bisleri Ferro-China’ drinks, ‘La Gina’ tomatoes, and ‘Saclà’ sauces and antipasti. Conga Foods expands its operations into Adelaide in 1965 and pioneers bottled mineral water under the ‘Bisleri’ brand in 1968, now famous as the ‘Deep Spring’ mineral water brand.
In 1984, the Conga Foods head office moves to Bell Street, Preston
1975-94
After his brothers leave the business, Saverio continues to build the business through the addition of brands like ‘Lavazza’ coffee, ‘Bialetti’ coffee makers, ‘Green Valley’ olives, ‘Zanetti’ and ‘Soresina’ cheeses, ‘Santamaria’ sardines, ‘Ceriotti’ rice, ‘Paluani’ Italian cakes and the creation of market leading ‘Moro’ olive oil brand. During this period, Conga Foods continues to build a national market presence through new operations in Sydney and Brisbane.
Print advertising for Moro and Green Valley
1995-99
As the sole owner of Conga Foods, Saverio embarks on a new era of growth and renewal. In addition to old favourites like Moro, Salvo and Green Valley, Conga Foods also launches Val Verde tomato products, Kimbo coffee and Sole Mare canned fish.
Val Verde and DC Specialty Coffee Roasters logos
2000-09
Seeing a growing market for locally roasted boutique coffee, Conga Foods launched a new company in 2002 called ‘Caffe Ducale’, later rebranded as ‘dc Specialty Coffee Roasters’. During this period, the business continues its strong growth by retaining its market leading brands while introducing Australians to new food experiences such as prosciutto and Dutch cheeses.
2010-2019
A new generation of Valmorbida leadership is introduced to Conga Foods with siblings David, Marc and Bianca entering the business and driving further innovation and business growth.
In 2015, Conga Foods disrupts the olive oil category by teaming up with other Australian family businesses to launch ‘Squeaky Gate Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil'. Over this period, it also introduces several leading international brands, including Cirio, Rummo, and the world’s favourite filled pasta brand, Rana, in 2018.
The family also launches a new sister company in 2015, Pakval, providing specialised warehousing and distribution services to other entrepreneurial, Australian companies.
Solar panels and Conga Foods warehouse, Coburg North
2020-Present
A new decade presents new horizons and opportunities. Having marked its 70-year milestone, Conga Foods reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the environment and changing communities for the better. The business continues to source products responsibly, invest in renewable solar power, and support charitable organisations with philanthropic donations.
In 2021, the Valmorbida family purchased MaxFoods and its most recognisable brand Ocean Blue. Conga Foods now proudly distributes Australia’s No. 1 brand for smoked salmon and related chilled seafood products. The business also introduced the iconic Italian gelato brand Sammontana to Australia with its Barattolino tubs and Gruvi sticks product ranges.
