It's family...

Diforti is a family-run purveyor of authentic Italian flavours grounded in more than a century of tradition. The business began in 1875 in Sicily with founder Michele Diforti’s work preserving olives and grew through generations into a national deli brand. Today, the 5th generation brings Italy’s vibrant pantry staples to British homes. Quality ingredients, original family recipes (like their signature sundried tomatoes), and careful sourcing remain at the heart of the business — ensuring customers experience the taste, heritage and passion behind every Diforti product.

The Diforti family history

A long wooden table that wobbles as dishes are passed from one person to the next. The bright, briny bite of a refreshing Nocellara del Belice olive. An extra grating of Parmigiano over an already-rich pasta. A meal enjoyed to the very last bite.

Growing up the Diforti family, our most treasured memories are all to do with food and the people who make it. Our heritage is inextricably linked to the Italian table, and it shines through in each of our products.

This is our story, and we’re proud to share it with you.

Laying a strong foundation

In 1875, the Diforti legacy was born in Caltanissetta a small town in the heart of Sicily. That’s where Michele Diforti, our great-great-grandfather, began harvesting olives from local farms.

Through experimentation and dedication, he developed preservation techniques that yielded sweet, crisp, bright green olives. At first, he sold them locally – but as his reputation grew, so did his business. Eventually, he loaded his olives into wooden barrels and sent them all over Sicily.

Ingenuity and Expertise

In 1909, our great-grandfather, Luigi Diforti, put his own twist on his father’s olive business. Luigi was known throughout the village as a Fogli Amari, an expert at harnessing the power of local herbs to create remedies.

He combined his knowledge of preservation with access to the abundant harvest from a noble estate. This allowed him to create a captivating selection of antipasti, which he successfully distributed throughout Sicily.

An Empire of Fine Taste

In 1939, the Diforti name began to spread even more quickly once our grandfather, Salvatore Diforti, started supplying antipasti to restaurants, delis and shops around Sicily while opening three delis in Strada Foglia, the historic food market in Caltanissetta.

As a result of Salvatore’s exacting standards and fine taste, Diforti blossomed. He sourced products from all over Italy to distribute in his shops. With his incredible palate, he developed many recipes, including the sundried tomato recipe we still use today.

New Heights and New Markets

In 1981, Giuliano Diforti, our father, took over the production side of the family business. His dream was to push Diforti to new heights by expanding the company’s product offerings and geographical reach.

After attending various food shows across Europe, Giuliano decided to enter the UK marketplace. He brought in new preservation techniques and new products, and he made sure that everything was made with the highest quality ingredients and perfectly balanced seasoning.

In 1999, Giuliano strengthened his focus on the UK market by establishing Taste of Sicily, ensuring a better and more direct service for our UK customers.

A Growing Vision

In 2005, we (Carlo, Andrea and Francesca Diforti) took over the Family business from our father. Our goal? To marry the hard work, passion and ambitious creativity that our family taught us with new ideas and innovations and introduce Diforti to food lovers around the world.

Today, Diforti’s wide selection of gourmet Italian products can be found in high-end retailers across the UK and in our online shop. We constantly draw inspiration from the vision of our forefathers and the family table of our childhood, and we seek to bring the vibrant flavours of the villages of Italy to every kitchen. From bright green olives just like the ones collected by our great-great-grandfather Michele, to sundried tomatoes made with our grandfather Salvatore’s original recipe, the products we sell today are thoughtfully sourced and carefully prepared. We pride ourselves on our family’s delicious traditions, and we can’t wait to share them with you, too.

Carlo Diforti

Commercial Director

As a driving force in growing the family business, Carlo blends heritage and innovation as Sales Director — bringing Diforti’s authentic Italian flavours to new markets and building trusted, valued relationships.

Andrea Diforti

Quality Director

Andrea, as Quality Director, leads Diforti with a focus on expanding the brand while preserving its integrity. He ensures every product meets the highest standards of quality, reflecting the passion and excellence the family is known for.

Francesca Diforti

Production Director

Francesca oversees operations at Diforti’s olive factory in Sicily, ensuring that every product upholds the family’s commitment to tradition, exceptional quality, and authentic Italian craftsmanship, delivering the finest flavours to every table.