Mitsui Foods, Inc.

MFI has been in the imported food business for over 40 years. Our product quality, purchasing, logistics, and service are second to none. MFI only sources our products from the highest quality, most reliable packers. We are confident that you will be Empress'd with MFI products.

MFI was established by Mr. Sid Schonefeld in 1954. At the time, the duty on tuna in oil, the predominant consumer product, was 25%, and the duty on tuna in water was only 15%. Mr. Schonfeld took advantage of this duty cost difference, and the Sid Schonfeld Company (SSC) was one of the first companies to import tuna packed in water into the United States.

During the early years of the company, the strength of the company was in retail private label tuna products. The company then expanded into pineapple products. Today, MFI is the third largest seller of Tuna products and the fourth leading importer of Pineapple products in the United States.

In the late 60's, SSC purchased the Empress brand from Bien Trading and expanded our product line to include Mushrooms, Mandarin Oranges, Artichokes, Olives, Seafood, Fruit and Oriental Vegetables. In 1971, Mitsui and Company, LTD., purchased the Sid Schonfeld Company. The acquisition by Mitsui and Company strengthened SSC, and its ability to operate in the global marketplace.

Mitsui and Company, LTD, with sales exceeding $185 billion in 1997, is one of the world top three largest corporations. Mitsui has over 200 offices worldwide, and our overseas offices allow MFI the advantage of having Mitsui employees working on our behalf throughout the world. Our financial strength enables MFI efficiencies few companies can rival.

In 1986, SSC became one of only 16 companies throughout the world with the Mitsui name, Mitsui Foods, Inc. Mitsui Foods included both an import and export foods division. In 1995, Mitsui Foods Import became independent of Mitsui Food Export, and changed the company name to MFI.

In 1996, MFI celebrated our 25th anniversary of being a Mitsui Company. MFI is prepared for the changing climate and distribution methods in America for the remainder of the 90's and beyond the millenium.

MFI corporate headquarters is in Norwood, NJ; and MFI operates a West Coast Food Service office in Union City, CA. In May, 1998, MFI purchased Pacific Premium, Inc. This acquisition gives MFI a premium line of non-additive tuna products to compliment the Empress brand.