Mario Foah
A founding member of the Specialty Food Association, Mario Foah pioneered the introduction and popularity of Italian specialty foods into the U.S. At 93, he continues to work in an industry that he has cherished for more than 60 years.
Foray into Food. In 1952, with the desire to introduce highquality imports from his native Italy that were virtually unknown to the U.S., Foah established Ramsey Imports. Conversing in the local language with many Italian shop owners, he went on to debut such items as preserved vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, arborio rice, espresso, and even espresso machines to the American consumer.
Breaking Boundaries. It was at a routine meeting in New York City with friends and food industry peers that the seed was planted to start an association to promote and introduce specialty foods. This seed eventually blossomed into the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade (now the Specialty Food Association), which launched in 1952.
“Some people had their doubts about forming an association,” Foah recalls. “But the majority decided to give it a try. It was a dream based out of our conviction and love for the industry.”
Foah recalls both challenges and opportunities in the early years. “The founding members of the association imported and distributed specialty foods from their native lands,” he says. “There were no cell phones or fax machines or email back in the ’50s—we would call on our customers mostly by walking to their offices. The challenge was introducing unfamiliar foods to storeowners.”
Accomplishments. Foah served as president of the association from 1978 to 1980 and was a member of the board of directors for 16 consecutive years. During his presidency, he negotiated sole ownership rights of the Fancy Food Show to the association from the Cahners Exposition Group, a task he considers his single greatest achievement during his term.
“Mario’s business skills and negotiating tactics delivered the deal that guaranteed ownership of the Fancy Food Show for the association,” says John Roberts, president of Blackpoint Management and former president of the association. “He speaks softly with intelligence, grace, and style and is a pleasure to be with, in business or socially.”
“This acquisition was imperative to the survival, sustainability, and long-term success of the association and the Fancy Food Show,” adds Shawn McBride, chairwoman of the Specialty Food Association board of directors and vice president of Foah International. “Mario’s vision of our future was groundbreaking. To this day, he continues to have a keen sense of business, finances, communication, and governance.”
Foah went on to create the Amore brand, showcasing tomato pastes in tubes—phenomena that have become nearly ubiquitous in the U.S. since. He was knighted by the Italian government with the title of Cavaliere for his many years of successful trade promotions between Italy and the U.S., and the Italian Trade Commission inducted him into the Foods of Italy Hall of Fame.
In 1986, he teamed up with his son, Lou, to form Foah International, LLC, in developing and overseeing the manufacturing and distribution of Italian specialty food products, where he still works today.
“I honor all those extraordinary and incredible people who worked at the beginning of the association, who gave their energy, time, and their experience,” Foah says. “They were successful in making yesterday’s dream of a few become today’s reality of so many.”
