The Green Line

What The Green Line does

La Linea Verde (The Green Line) is a privately held, family-owned Italian agri-food company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Manerbio (Brescia), producing fresh ready-to-eat salads, soups, prepared dishes, beverages, and bagged vegetables for the refrigerated produce sections of European grocery retailers. The company operates an integrated agricultural-to-shelf supply chain anchored by O.P. Sole e Rugiada, a producer organization that coordinates over 2,000 hectares of certified Italian farmland, the company's own farms, and more than 70 partner producers, ensuring traceability and year-round raw material supply. Its core technology centers on Agriculture 4.0 precision farming, controlled-atmosphere packaging, cold-chain logistics, and proprietary seed variety development (notably the Lattughelle lettuce line developed with European seed partners and exclusive access to Riso Venere via the Riso Scotti partnership), enabling 365-day production across eight sites.

The business model combines a branded consumer offering (DimmidiSì, with 86% aided brand awareness in Italy, category leadership of 40% in fresh soups and 30% in enriched salads) with a private-label co-packing service for over 70 retailer brands across Italy and Europe. Revenue is generated via unit sales of branded and co-packed fresh convenience products through modern retail (GDO), food service / HoReCa, and direct export channels, with pricing negotiated bilaterally with retail partners rather than publicly disclosed. Products span IV Gamma (washed and bagged salads), I Gamma (whole fresh produce), insalatone / piatti unici (enriched ready-to-eat salads), piatti freschi (fresh dishes including risotti, pasta, rice salads), zuppe fresche (fresh soups), estratti freschi (fresh juice extracts), and DIY meal kits (Wrap Kit, Kit Insalatona, Lattughelle).

Geographically, La Linea Verde operates eight production sites across Italy (3), Spain (3 sites under Vegetales Línea Verde Navarra, serving Spain, Portugal, and France), Serbia (1), and France (1, Sénas, established 2020), reaching 25 European countries with more than 60% of consolidated group revenue generated outside Italy. The group generated €356M in 2023 revenue (+4.6% YoY) and €28.1M in EBITDA, employs 1,001-5,000 people (350+ in the Spanish subsidiary alone), and completed the 100% acquisition of Ortomad in January 2024, adding approximately €51M of annual revenue and 20,000 tons of salad capacity. The company is governed by the founding Battagliola and Polotti families with second-generation members now represented on the Board.

Name

The Green Line

Legal name

La Linea Verde – Società Agricola S.p.A.

Website

https://lalineaverde.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Italian family-owned agri-food company La Linea Verde produces fresh ready-to-eat salads, soups, and prepared meals under the DimmidiSì brand and as a private-label co-packer for over 70 European retailers, with 8 production sites in Italy, Spain, Serbia, and France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Prepared Foods (IV Gamma and Fresh Convenience)

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448), Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover (111419)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh-Cut & Value-Added Produce (Washed, Peeled, Sliced, Packaged) (AFAKAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leafy Greens & Salad Processing Packhouses (Fresh-Cut) (AFAOAGAI), Fresh Cut / Value-Added Produce Wholesale (Pre-Cut, Packaged, Salad Kits) (AFAIACAD)

Keywords

• Fresh prepared foods
• Ready-to-eat salads
• IV gamma fresh cut
• Private label co-packing
• Fresh convenience meals

Headquarters

HQ city

Manerbio

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Branded Consumer Products (DimmidiSì): Sale of branded fresh prepared products under the DimmidiSì brand including insalatone (enriched salads), fresh soups, fresh dishes, fresh drinks, and ready meals through retail chains to end consumers
2. Private Label / Co-packer Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing of fresh prepared foods and IV gamma products for over 70 private label brands for major European retailers, including production for leading European retail chains
3. Export and International Sales: Revenue from exporting products and operating production facilities across Europe. Export flows represent approximately 35% of the Brescia headquarters revenue. Products commercialized in 25 European countries.
4. I Gamma and IV Gamma Fresh Produce: Fresh cut salads and produce in bags (I Gamma), and washed and packaged ready-to-eat salads (IV Gamma) for retail and food service

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

La Linea Verde is an Italian agri-food manufacturer producing fresh prepared produce and convenience foods: IV Gamma (washed, packaged ready-to-eat salads and vegetables) and I Gamma fresh produce, plus a portfolio of DimmidiSì-branded consumer products including enriched salads (insalatone), fresh soups, fresh dishes (risottos, pasta salads, grain bowls), fresh juice extracts, wrap kits and bagged lettuces. The company controls an integrated supply chain of 2,000+ hectares of Italian farmland through the OP Sole e Rugiada producer organization and operates as both a branded supplier and a contract co-packer for more than 70 private label brands at major European retailers.

Product overview

La Linea Verde (The Green Line) is a leading Italian food production company specializing in fresh ready-to-eat products for the refrigerated produce section. The company operates under a multi-brand portfolio centered on the DimmidiSì consumer brand and serves retailers through private label/co-packer services. The product portfolio includes: IV Gamma (fresh-cut bagged salads), I Gamma (fresh produce), Insalatone/piatti unici (enriched ready-to-eat salads), Piatti Freschi (fresh dishes including risotti, pasta, rice dishes), Zuppe Fresche (fresh soups), Estratti Freschi (fresh juice extracts), Wrap Kit and Kit Insalatona (DIY meal kits), and Lattughelle (fresh bagged lettuce). The company has a diversified European presence through subsidiaries (Ortomad in Italy, Vegetales Línea Verde in Spain, La Ligne Verte in France, La Linea Verde Serbia) and manages an integrated supply chain with over 2,000 hectares of cultivated land through OP Sole e Rugiada. 2023 revenue exceeded 356 million euros with EBITDA of 28.1 million euros.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DimmidiSì: Primary consumer brand for fresh ready-to-eat products including insalatone (enriched salads), piatti pronti (ready meals), zuppe fresche (fresh soups), risotti freschi (fresh risottos), estratti freschi (fresh juices), wrap kits, and lattughelle (bagged lettuces). 86% brand awareness; 7 million families purchase DimmidiSì products (2023).
• Lattughelle
• Wrap Kit
• Le Zuppe Fresche
• Piatti Unici / Insalatone
• Vegetales Línea Verde (Spain)
• O.P. Sole e Rugiada

Products and services

• Insalatone (Enriched Ready Salads) Ready-to-eat enriched single-dish salads (10+ varieties including Classic and Golosa lines) sold under the DimmidiSì brand in retail refrigerated produce sections; 30% Italian value share leader.
• Zuppe Fresche (Fresh Soups) Ready-to-heat fresh traditional Italian soups in 620g microwavable recyclable bowls (Pappa al Pomodoro, Zuppa Venere, Zuppa Ligure and others); DimmidiSì leads the Italian fresh soups category with 38-40% value share.
• Piatti Freschi (Fresh Dishes) Fresh ready-to-eat single-portion dishes including risottos, pasta salads, rice salads (Riso Freddo, Riso Venere alla Mediterranea, Riso Venere con Pollo), trofie, farro/orzo salads, cous cous and fregola-based dishes.
• Wrap Kit DIY meal kit containing tortillas, crispy salad, toppings and sauce in three varieties: American Wrap (pulled pork, bacon, cheddar), Italian Wrap (chicken, Grana Padano), and Veggie Wrap (plant-based protein); sold in retail refrigerated section.
• Le Lattughelle DimmidiSì Fresh bagged lettuces in two proprietary varieties (green and red) with 100% Italian supply chain under proprietary Lattughelle varieties; available in 80g consumer and 200g foodservice paper packaging.
• IV Gamma Fresh-Cut Salads and Vegetables Washed, packaged ready-to-eat fresh-cut vegetables and salad mixes sold under private label and DimmidiSì brands in retail refrigerated sections across Europe.
• I Gamma Fresh Produce Fresh whole produce sourced from Ortomad and OP Sole e Rugiada, including specialty lettuces such as arugula, valerian, spinach, baby leaves and oriental salad varieties.
• Bevande Fresche / Estratti Freschi (Fresh Beverages and Extracts) Fresh fruit and vegetable juice extracts and limited-edition beverages sold under the DimmidiSì brand in retail refrigerated section.
• Risotti Freschi DimmidiSì Fresh ready-to-eat risottos in three varieties (asparagus, porcini/champignon mushroom, saffron), made with 100% Italian rice, no preservatives or MSG; 250g microwaveable containers with 28-day shelf life.
• Private Label / Co-Packer Manufacturing Services Contract manufacturing of fresh prepared foods (IV Gamma salads, ready meals, soups, juices) supplied under 70+ private label brands for Italian and European retailers, leveraging Group integrated supply chain and production sites.
• Naturvega (Organic Produce Line) Certified organic fresh produce and prepared foods offered as an organic product line within the Group's portfolio.
• Kit Insalatona DIY-style insalatone kit enabling consumers to assemble enriched salads at home, sold in retail refrigerated section under the DimmidiSì brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• DimmidiSì insalatone category: +12% growth vs market in 2023; fresh dishes category: +210% growth vs market
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• OrtomadcoreOthers · 1 January 2024La Linea Verde completed 100% acquisition of Ortomad in January 2024. Ortomad, based in Piana del Sele (Salerno), specializes in I and IV Gamma products including arugula, valerian, spinach, and oriental salads. Ortomad produces 20,000 tons of salads annually across 600 hectares and exports to over 20 countries with 51 million euros revenue in 2023. Andrea Battagliola elected as President of Ortomad.
• Riso ScotticoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Strategic partnership for exclusive use of Riso Venere (black rice) in DimmidiSì fresh prepared products. Both companies share supply chain management as core competency, both invest in consumer wellness promotion, and both focus on continuous innovation. La Linea Verde gains access to exclusive rice varieties while Riso Scotti gains premium placement in the fresh convenience segment.
• Radio DeejayflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Multi-year marketing partnership including sponsorship of Deejay Ten running events (Florence and Milan), Party Like a Deejay festival, and radio advertising campaigns. DimmidiSì brand promoted through event presence, radio spots on Deejay, Capital, m2o and 48 local stations, achieving 7.5 million contacts.
• Banco AlimentareminorOthersPartnership with Italy's largest non-profit food bank for food waste reduction and social support. La Linea Verde donated products equivalent to 200,000 meals through the 'Uniti per un Sorriso' limited edition salad, and installed refrigerated storage at Brescia warehouse for efficient donation management. Previously donated 130,000 products in 2021.
• Icaro Sport Disabili OnlusminorOthersOngoing collaboration supporting sports activities for disabled individuals. Association organizes and promotes various sports activities, with La Linea Verde providing product sponsorship and support.
• Famila Basket SchiominorOthersPartnership with Serie A1 women's basketball team from Schio (Vicenza), which was leading the championship. DimmidiSì brand supports the team as part of sports marketing initiatives promoting wellness and active lifestyle values.
• European Seed CompaniescoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborations with major European seed companies for development of proprietary lettuce varieties (Lattughelle). Partnerships enable exclusive varieties with superior taste, texture, shelf life, and heat resistance compared to standard varieties.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Orogel: Italian frozen and fresh produce cooperative operating from Cesena, with branded and private-label IV Gamma and frozen vegetables. Comparable to La Linea Verde in Italian GDO channel, overlapping especially on fresh-cut and frozen horticultural products.

Emerging players

• Eat Just: US-based plant-based ready-meal and ingredient company with European retail rollout of fresh prepared products. Emerging adjacent competitor in fresh convenience — overlapping less directly, but relevant for the fresh, plant-forward ready-meal category La Linea Verde is expanding into.

Broad incumbents

• Fresh Del Monte Produce: Vertically integrated global producer and distributor of fresh produce, including prepared salads and fresh-cut fruit in Europe through the Mann Packing and Del Monte Fresh brands. Overlaps with La Linea Verde in fresh convenience retail supply.
• Lamb Weston Holdings: NYSE-listed global leader in frozen potato products with growing fresh/ready-meal adjacencies. Comparable in serving European GDO with prepared food categories, though primarily frozen rather than refrigerated.
• McCain Foods: Global leader in frozen prepared foods with growing presence in fresh/ready-to-eat categories. Adjacent competitor to La Linea Verde's refrigerated prepared meals in European retail, with deeper capital base and broader portfolio.
• Dole plc: Irish-listed global fresh produce giant spanning fresh fruit, vegetables, and value-added salads including IV Gama lines through Salads To Go and Mann Packing. Comparable to La Linea Verde in fresh-cut salads and supply to European retailers, with significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Insalata dell'Orto: Italian fresh-cut salads and prepared vegetables producer, part of the Ortobergamo/Orto group. Direct Italian competitor to La Linea Verde's IV Gamma insalatone line, supplying the same GDO retailers with similar packaged salads.
• Florette (Agrial): Agrial's fresh-cut salads and ready-to-eat vegetables brand, headquartered in France. One of La Linea Verde's closest direct competitors in IV Gamma bagged salads and fresh prepared salads across Iberia and France, sharing the same retailer-led GTM motion.
• Greenyard: Belgian-listed fresh, frozen, and prepared produce group with a European footprint comparable to La Linea Verde's, including fresh-cut salads and private-label co-packing for major European retailers. Competes directly on GDO private-label contracts and IV Gamma supply.
• Bonduelle Group: French-headquartered global leader in fresh-cut and processed vegetables (canned, frozen, IV Gamma). Direct competitor to La Linea Verde in European IV Gamma salads and ready meals, serving the same GDO retailers across France, Italy, and Iberia with comparable brand portfolios (Bonduelle, Cassegrain, Bonduelle Fresh).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-linea-verde-spa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Green Line