Australian food manufacturer Roma Food products – parent company to brands Orgran, Pasta Roma, Spliits, Freemills, and BuonTempo – is celebrating more than seven decades of growth, innovation, and commitment to local production. CEO Sam Schachna speaks to Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, on the company’s heritage and where it is heading.
MD Max Buontempo, Victorian industry and advanced manufacturing minister, Colin Brooks. (Source: Roma Foods)
At a gathering on 6November, the company brought together long-term collaborators, suppliers, customers, and employees at its Carrum Downs factory in Victoria to commemorate the company’s 70th anniversary.
Victoria’s industry and advanced manufacturing minister, Colin Brooks, was also there to mark the occasion.
“Victoria has the largest and most established food manufacturing industry in the nation, worth $47 billion and employing more than 76,000 Victorians. Roma Foods should be very proud to mark 70 years of manufacturing in Victoria,” Brooks said.
CEO Sam Schachna told Food & Drink Business the milestone reflected Roma’s pioneering role in gluten-free and plant-based food manufacturing in Australia, its sense of purpose, and its culture of innovation, perseverance, and resilience.
“This is as much about where Roma Foods has come from as it is about where it’s going,” Schachna said. “We’ve always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in gluten-free and plant-based food manufacturing, while creating growth opportunities here in Victoria.
“When you think about where we started, the categories and markets we’ve opened, and the impact we’ve had together with our incredible team and partners – it’s humbling. We’re immensely proud of the legacy and the direction we’re taking.
“That direction is now defined by three pillars underpinning the company’s growth strategy – innovation, food sovereignty, and sustainability.
“Australians are eating differently – they want healthier, simpler, more sustainable foods. Our mission, ‘Creating Great Food for Healthier Living’, is perfectly aligned with that shift.” he said.
Championing Food Sovereignty
Schachna raises the importance of food sovereignty and how national food security depends on local manufacturing.
“When global supply chains faltered during Covid, Roma’s local production capabilities became a vital safety net for Australian consumers.
“During the pandemic, shelves were empty, and we were still producing. It was a moment that reinforced what we’ve believed for decades – Australia’s food security starts with making things here because it safeguards capability, quality, and jobs.”
A recent Roy Morgan survey, commissioned by Australian Made Campaign, found recent global economic uncertainty and challenging market conditions have highlighted for consumers, the importance of supporting Australia’s manufacturers and producers.
It showed 73 per cent of Australians were willing to buy more Australian-made products to avoid relying on imports, and 72 per cent were willing to pay more for locally made.
Roy Morgan CEO, Michele Levine, conceded many Australians were still feeling the pinch, which could influence their purchase choices, but a small change would have a big impact.
“Cost of living pressures may challenge some people to purchase Australian-made, especially for everyday items. But our research shows if each household spent an extra $10 weekly on Australian-made products, an additional $5.6 billion would be generated and could create almost 10,000 new jobs,” said Levine.
A Manufacturing Powerhouse
Over the decades, the company has grown from a local family business into a national manufacturing force. Its 15,000 m2 site in Carrum Downs produces company-owned brands Orgran, Pasta Roma, Spliits, BuonTempo and a broad portfolio of over 100 gluten-free and allergen-free products across baking, biscuits, breakfast, snacking, pasta and dessert categories. These are delivered to over 40 markets worldwide across the retail, foodservice and industrial channels.
Roma has invested heavily in R&D, skills, and technology upgrades, ensuring its facilities remain competitive and flexible enough to respond to shifting consumer demand.
“We’ve built an R&D ecosystem that allows us to move quickly – renovating existing products and developing new ones around functional benefits, nutrition, and taste.
“When Orgran started, allergen and gluten-free was a medical necessity for a limited group of people. Now, the category is driven by consumers choosing better-for-you and actively good-for-you products. That shift didn’t happen overnight – it took decades of innovation and education.
Schachna says being first movers has allowed Roma to build deep expertise.
“We’ve developed proprietary processes and formulations that not only deliver on health and safety but also on taste and enjoyment.
“The next wave of consumer demand is for food with clear functional benefits. We’re working on formulations that deliver great-tasting, high-quality, Australian-made foods that align with health, convenience, and lifestyle trends
“It is not an even playing field for local manufacturers, as Australia does not have the scale or local market size to compare to global multinationals. To thrive in the local industry, it is critical to compete where local is a competitive advantage and to invest in skills and infrastructure to improve efficiency and innovation.”
Looking forward
Schachna said the company has plans to expand its footprint in both domestic and international markets, continue upgrading its production capabilities, and explore new product categories that merge taste, nutrition, and functionality.
He is mindful of the company’s heritage and the responsibility that comes with it.
“Roma Foods started as a small family business trying to make a difference. Over 70 years later, that purpose hasn’t changed, it’s just scaled. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we’re even more excited about what’s ahead,” Schachna says.
In a market segment where imported products often dominate shelves, Roma Foods intends to stand as a powerful reminder that Australian manufacturers can lead through innovation, integrity, and intent.
