Catalina Foods

Catalina Foods traces its beginnings to 1974, when the Cepero family started the business in Tampa. A recipe from a home kitchen has since grown into a frozen food company with several brands and two production plants, in Florida and Connecticut, both SQF-certified, making more than 200 products for restaurants and grocery stores.

The lineup centers on Cuban-style croquettes, tamales, empanadas and breaded Hispanic specialties, along with items such as cheese yuca bites and stuffed potato balls. Production is certified under USDA, SQF and HACCP standards.

Shoppers can find Catalina products in the frozen section at Publix, Sedano's, Walmart, Winn-Dixie and other stores, and retail availability reaches more than 2,000 chain and independent stores nationwide. Foodservice customers order through the company's distributor partners.

The company has produced private label items for partner brands since its early years and also works with clients on custom recipe development. The Tampa site serves as both a plant and the main office, and the company also operates a distribution center in Miami.