Flavours That Feel Like Family: MEMA Foods International

A trip to your local Farm Boy is one filled with culinary inspiration. Our fresh markets are stocked with high‑quality products that deliver excellent value, giving you the best flavour, freshness, and quality for your spend. From vibrant fruits and vegetables that get you closer to the farm to our Farm Boy Private Label favourites, we think you’ll love the carefully curated selection. 

Serving Ontario since 1981, we’ve stayed true to our roots by prioritizing locally sourced goods and supporting the communities we call home. By offering Canadian‑made and Canadian‑prepared items, our customers enjoy exceptional products crafted right in our own backyard. We’re proud to spotlight local partners like MEMA Foods International—a family‑run business that shares our dedication to quality and freshness. Honouring time‑tested traditions, they create authentic sauces and soups with an unmistakable homestyle touch. In this blog, you’ll discover their story, how their products are made, what you can find in-store, and a few recipe ideas to inspire your next shop! 

For your next visit, explore our digital flyer for the latest deals and newest products. It’s filled with weekly specials, Canadian-made products, and more! 

A Family Affair

Founded in 1989 as a humble sauce operation by Carmelo Messina, MEMA Foods International is now run by his sons, Gabriel and Alexander. The Messina family started their journey in the banquet-hall business where their food (and especially their sauce) became a highlight at weddings and other celebrations. After some early dabbling, they dove fully into the sauce game, giving their community an authentic taste of Italy in a jar—with real tomato sauce! Today, the dynamic sibling duo are building on a legacy that began as a hardworking immigrant story and has grown into one that reflects an enduring Canadian spirit. From production to in‑store demos at stores like ours, Gabriel and Alexander are hands‑on at every step, ensuring that quality is never compromised and that their products reach as many customers as possible.  

Located in Toronto (Etobicoke), MEMA has grown into a well-respected producer of a variety of products. Alongside other family members and their dedicated team, this tight‑knit operation crafts exceptional soups, sauces, and condiments with a homestyle touch. Originally rooted in Sicilian flavours—reflecting their family’s Italian heritage—they now also create globally inspired products, from curry sauces to Thai‑influenced soups. Most importantly, each one is made from authentic recipes and a simple list of quality ingredients that come together to deliver outstanding flavour. 

Saucin’ in the Kitchen 

With a strong foundation built on generations of traditional recipes and techniques, MEMA crafts every product with care. Made in small batches for superior quality, each item delivers comforting, familiar flavours with a twist. This approach and scale are what makes all the difference when it comes to the taste of their culinary creations. 

From authentic Italian‑style tomato sauces to rich, creamy soups, MEMA focuses on using the best ingredients. That includes exceptional Italian and Canadian‑grown tomatoes, fresh produce, and olive oil sourced exclusively from their nonno (grandfather) Biaggio Messina’s olive grove in Sicily. Their products—Just Sauce and Just Soup—are prepared simply using naturally delicious broths, vegetables, and seasonings. It’s an old‑school mentality, supported by a few modern tools, that allows this family to share their craft with customers across Ontario. 

Farm Boy Private Label Magic 

Thanks to many vendor partners like MEMA Foods International, your local Farm Boy store is filled with a curated selection of products—many prepared in Ontario! These partnerships allow us to create all of our Private Label items to our exact specifications. By collaborating with us and sharing their valuable expertise, they help ensure our customers enjoy the best‑tasting foods they’ve come to expect. 

MEMA shares our commitment to offering authentic products crafted with care. At any Farm Boy across Ontario, you’ll find restaurant‑quality, Italian‑style pasta and pizza sauces prepared just the way we like them. Using our exclusive recipes and a few secret cooking techniques, these everyday favourites are made to deliver the ultimate convenience and flavour. Discover some of the items that are sure to be nonna (that’s grandmother in Italian) approved! 

Italian Pasta Sauces at Farm Boy 

*Products are subject to availability and may vary by location. 

For more mouthwatering pasta recipes, check out our Pasta Recipe Roundup: So Many Pastabilities blog post.  

MEMA Foods Just Sauce Products at Farm Boy 

*Products are subject to availability and may vary by location. 

MEMA Foods Just Soup Products at Farm Boy 

All of these delicious soups are gluten-free!  

*Products are subject to availability and may vary by location. 

To discover more about MEMA Foods International, visit their social media pages. They’re full of helpful tips and ways to enjoy their delicious products!  

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