Diana Fruit Co., Inc.
came into existence on July 18,
1990, but our roots as a producer of Maraschino
Cherries stretch back over 85 years. The company was
founded as Diana Fruit Preserving Co., Inc. in 1921 by
Alexander Diana, a young, resourceful immigrant to Santa
Clara, California from the Northern Italy/Yugoslavian
region of Europe that is the birthplace of the Maraschino
Cherry. Recognizing that there was no California producer
of this European delicacy, he promptly established the
company that bears his name, introducing countless Californians
to a delicious addition to their candies, desserts and
cocktails.
With the advent of canned Fruit Cocktail in the mid-1930’s,
Mr. Diana developed a unique cherry coloring, producing
cherry halves which withstood the retort cooking which
had hampered their incorporation in this popular new product.
Sales of Fruit Cocktail cherry halves to California canneries
grew dramatically and soon outpaced Maraschino sales.
Until his death in 1944, Alexander Diana dedicated himself
to the production of only the finest cherry products.
That same devotion to quality governs today’s operations.
To this day, Fruit Cocktail cherries are a vital part
of Diana Fruit’s business. Maraschino cherry sales
have grown in recent years as a direct reflection of Mr.
Diana’s original commitment to quality.
Diana Fruit Co., Inc.
remains very much a family affair. The tradition of
service and quality established by Mr. Diana was carried
on by his successor and son-in-law, the late Eugene
Acronico, and subsequently by his son Gene, the current
President of the company. The original Diana Fruit Preserving
Company was purchased in 1977 by the Federal Company,
located in Memphis, TN. It changed its name to Holly
Farms Corporation in 1986. Subsequently Tyson Corporation
purchased Holly Farms. In 1990, Diana Fruit Preserving
Company was purchased by a few Diana and Holly Farms
executives, thereafter assuming its current identity
as Diana Fruit Co., Inc.
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