About Carmela Foods

Our Story: Family Driven. Client-Focused. Midwest Strong.

Rooted in Family, Driven by Flavor

Founded in 1992 in Michigan, Carmela Foods was inspired by the culinary passion of Anthony Tocco’s mother, Carmela—a remarkable home cook who passed down her love for high-quality, flavorful food. What began as a small, family-run venture has grown into one of the Midwest’s premier foodservice distribution companies, serving Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana with a curated portfolio of specialty and premium products.

 

Carmela Nana
Anthony Carmie Paul

A New Generation, the Same Commitment

Still proudly family-owned and operated, Carmela Foods is led today by the next generation. CEO Paul Buscemi and Vice President Carmie Vicari Gray—Anthony’s nephew and niece—continue the legacy of excellence with a deep respect for tradition, a hands-on leadership approach, and a steadfast commitment to the clients we serve.

More Than a Distributor—A True Partner

With over 30 years of experience in foodservice distribution and specialty retail grocery, we’ve built a reputation on trust, product knowledge, and a relentless focus on helping our partners succeed. Whether you're a chef, retailer, or hospitality professional, you can count on Carmela Foods to deliver more than just exceptional products—we deliver partnership, service, and a shared passion for great food.

Carmie and Nana

"Beginning with one product, one truck, and one customer, we set out to build a portfolio of the finest foods and beverages in the world.  30 years later, we've achieved much of that goal, but the more we learn, taste, and experience, the more we know that our search for the world's finest products will go on.  

While our outlook may be global, our local farmers and community programs have always remained among our most cherished priorities. They represent the best of our hometown, our home state, and our culinary roots."

- Anthony Tocco, Jr.

Our Inner Circle

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Fairway Packing Company is a unique blend of old-style packing house quality and service plus state of the art equipment and the newest technology to provide the finest finished product to the customer. Located in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market since 1989, Fairway provides the highest quality Prime meats to Michigan’s finest restaurants. They have a reputation as one of the cleanest and best facilities in the Midwest and are USDA inspected and HACCP compliant.

chef source

Chef Source, similar to Carmela Foods, is family-owned and operated, focusing on providing unique, high-quality products. Both companies were established on the belief that hard work, combined with a commitment to delivering top-notch service and products, would position them as market leaders. In 2018, Chef Source and Carmela Foods entered into a distinctive distribution partnership, granting customers access to the extensive product lines of both companies. This collaboration has allowed both companies to expand their product offerings and distribution areas.

Quality You can Trust

Artisan Bread

Gluten Free Specialties

Seafood

Coffee and Specialty Beverages

Antibiotic Free, Growth Hormone Free

Fresh Poultry

Michigan Farmstead Cheddar

Fresh Organic Michigan Herbs

Prosciutto, Salami and Mortadella

San Marzano Tomatoes

Speciality Retail Groceries

Italian Gelatos and Desserts

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Carmela Staff & Culture

Our Midwest-Based Logistics & Sales Team

From southern Chicago to the tip of Mackinac Island, our dedicated team is always nearby and ready to serve. With a strong presence across Michigan and Ohio, Carmela Foods operates five strategically located warehouses and a reliable fleet of 5 semis and 35 box trucks. Whether it’s your friendly sales rep or dependable delivery driver, you can count on us for exceptional service and local support—wherever you are.

 
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