About JKO
From importer to maker.
For decades we brought the world's best food home to Canada. Today we make it here, in our own plants, and sell it to the grocers, delis and kitchens we've served for generations.
Our story
JKO International Inc. was formed when four companies, Jan K. Overweel Limited, Colombo Importing Limited, Cortina Foods Limited and Top's Importing Limited, changed their strategic direction together.
JKO now focuses on the sales, distribution, marketing and merchandising of food made in Canada by its sister companies: Casa Italia deli meats from Zadi Foods Limited, and Milano baked goods from Milano Bakeries Limited. JKO also provides the administrative support for both manufacturing companies.
The people behind JKO have run food distribution and manufacturing companies across North America since 1956. Our key associates bring more than 150 years of combined experience to marketing and merchandising plans, distribution and procurement support, and product development for our customers.
Our philosophy
We make what we sell.
Our philosophy is vertical integration: our own plants make the products our distribution business sells.
Our own plants
Milano Bakeries and Zadi Foods run state-of-the-art plants that meet third-party quality standards, each with its own quality-control team following the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.
Competitive by design
A lean sales team and a just-in-time production model lower the cost of distribution, so we can offer competitive pricing without cutting corners on ingredients.
The family test
Our management team won't market, sell or distribute any product they wouldn't have their own family eat on a regular basis.
Who we serve
On Canada's biggest shelves.
We serve Costco, Metro, Loblaws, Sobeys and Walmart, as well as regional chains, independent retailers and other distributors, including Gordon Food Service and Sysco, who take our products to foodservice kitchens across Canada.
Brands we distribute
North American distribution rights
- Casa Italia®
- Milano
- Milano Pasticceria
- Emma®
- Piaceri D'Italia®
- Cortina®
- San Paolo
- Oak Manor®
- Duero®
- 1128
- Snowman
list copied from the old About page. Is it still current?
Our legacy
Family, whatever the last name.
As JKO International grows, we aim to carry on its legacy by making and distributing excellent food, and by nurturing our long-standing relationships with our partners, suppliers and customers.
That's only possible with a core of dedicated, top-notch people. Our employees are the key to our future success, and although we don't share the same last name, we consider every one of them family.
A message from our President
Built on talented people.
No company is complete without a talented group of employees who are passionate about their work and their company. We're fortunate to keep attracting people with these qualities, and they stay with us for a long time.
Our company is adapting to a new strategic direction. We have moved from sourcing products from around the world to making our own products, in manufacturing facilities we own and control. It's a big change, and our talented employees are the reason it will succeed.
We pride ourselves on treating every employee with the highest degree of respect. We believe that's what lets our people use their skills to meet our customers' needs and our organization's requirements in the best way possible. Our well-being as a company rests on making decisions not only for today's results, but for their long-term effect on an organization committed to superior products and service for our customers.
Patrick PelliccionePresident
Work with us, or join us
Buyers, start with the catalogue or talk to our sales team. Job seekers, see what it's like to work at JKO.