What Floridia Cheese does

Floridia Cheese Pty Ltd is a family-owned Australian cheese manufacturer founded in 1955 by Italian immigrants Mauro and Carmela, now operated by the Montalto family from a single facility at 327 Settlement Road, Thomastown, Victoria. The company produces traditional Italian-style cheeses across six categories — fresh curd cheese, fresh cheese, semi-matured cheese, pasta filata, hard cheese, and specialty cheese — yielding a portfolio of more than 25 SKUs that includes Ricotta, Mozzarella, Burrata, Buffalo Mozzarella, Buffalo Ricotta, Stracciatella, Halloumi, Mascarpone, Parmesan, and multiple Pecorino variants. Core production relies on traditional Italian techniques, including wood-fire ricotta making methods brought from Italy and adapted to Australian milk supply, including Australian buffalo milk for premium offerings.

The business operates a multi-channel distribution model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce at floridiacheese.com.au, a factory outlet at the Thomastown headquarters, farmers market participation, and a credit-application wholesale channel for enterprise customers. Pricing is unit-based in Australian dollars, with products sold in sizes ranging from 125g retail packs (Buffalo Mozzarella at $8.20) to 3kg bulk formats (Ricotta at $21.40), supporting both household consumption and foodservice volumes. Premium specialty SKUs include Burrata 1kg at $65.10 and Buffalo Mozzarella 1kg at $59.40.

Floridia Cheese's primary customer segments are foodservice and hospitality (restaurants and pizzerias requiring consistent supply, exemplified by Papa Gino's Restaurant's 46-year relationship) and wholesale distribution (exemplified by Mediterranean Wholesalers' 40+ year relationship), with direct consumers as a secondary segment. The company has accumulated multiple industry recognitions, including Champion-Fresh Cheese at the 2020 Australian Grand Dairy Awards, Champion-Hard Cheese at the 2024 Australian Grand Dairy Awards, and participation in the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest, alongside Family Business Australia VIC/TAS Hall of Fame induction in 2020. The 70th anniversary in 2025 was commemorated with a published book and branded merchandise extending the Floridia brand beyond dairy products.

Name

Floridia Cheese

Legal name

Floridia Cheese Pty Ltd

Website

https://floridiacheese.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Floridia Cheese is a family-owned Australian manufacturer of traditional Italian-style cheeses founded in 1955 in Thomastown, Victoria. It serves foodservice operators, wholesale distributors, and direct consumers across Australia through e-commerce, a factory outlet, and wholesale distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Italian-style cheese manufacturing

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Pasta Filata Cheese Manufacturing (Mozzarella, Provolone, String Cheese) (AFAHABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft) (AFAHABAA), Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB), Grated, Shredded & Sliced Cheese Manufacturing (Value-Added Cuts) (AFAHABAF), Cheese Wholesale (AFAIAEAC), Cheese (Natural & Processed) (CRADACAC)

Keywords

• Italian cheese manufacturing
• Artisanal dairy products
• Pasta filata cheese
• Fresh mozzarella production
• Cheese wholesale supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Thomastown

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Cheese Sales: Sale of Italian-style cheeses directly to consumers through e-commerce and factory outlet, and to wholesale/business customers through credit applications.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Supplying cheese to restaurants, continental groceries, and food service businesses including long-term relationships spanning decades.
3. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including clothing items like 'Milk on the Moo-Ve' and 'Mozzarella Time' t-shirts.
4. Books and Publications: Sale of 'Seventy Years The Story of Floridia Cheese' commemorative book celebrating 70 years of tradition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Floridia Cheese manufactures traditional Italian-style cheeses in Thomastown, Victoria, using Australian cow's and buffalo milk. The portfolio spans fresh curd cheeses, fresh cheeses (Ricotta, Halloumi, Mascarpone), pasta filata varieties (Mozzarella family), aged hard cheeses (Parmesan, Pecorino), and specialty items (Burrata, Buffalo Mozzarella, Stracciatella). Finished cheeses are sold through the company's own e-commerce shop, factory outlet, farmers markets, and wholesale distribution to restaurants, pizzerias, continental grocery stores, and food service businesses in Australia.

Product overview

Floridia Cheese is an Australian cheese manufacturing business producing traditional Italian-style cheeses. The product portfolio spans multiple cheese categories: Fresh Curd Cheeses (Fresh Pecorino, Fetta, Tuma, Sweet Cheese), Fresh Cheeses (Ricotta, Halloumi, Mascarpone), Semi-Matured Cheeses (Casalingo), Pasta Filata varieties (Mozzarella, Provoletta, Salamini, Scamorza, Smoked Scamorza, Bocconcini, Fior Di Latte, Treccia, Pearls), Hard Cheeses (Parmesan, Pecorino Semi-Hard, Pecorino Pepato, Pecorino Red Chilli, Pecorino Romano), and Specialty Cheeses (Burrata, Buffalo Mozzarella, Buffalo Ricotta, Baked Ricotta, Ricotta Salata, Stracciatella). The company also offers merchandise including branded apparel and a commemorative book documenting the company's 70-year history. Founded by Mauro and Carmela who started making traditional ricotta over a wood fire, the company has grown into one of Australia's finest cheese manufacturing businesses, supplying restaurants and retailers across Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ricotta Creamy white, mild fresh cheese with a soft texture and slightly sweet flavour, made the traditional Italian way from whey produced in the making of Mozzarella and Pecorino. Sold in 375g tubs, 1kg, and 3kg formats for both retail and foodservice use.
• Burrata Rich and buttery Italian specialty cheese with a mozzarella outer pouch filled with soft stringy curd and fresh cream, best served fresh at room temperature. Sold in 150g and 1kg sizes for retail and restaurant use.
• Buffalo Mozzarella Smooth and creamy cheese made from Australian buffalo milk, sold in brine-filled tubs for freshness, suited to marinating in olive oil and herbs, slicing on pizza, or antipasto platters. Available in 125g and 1kg sizes.
• Buffalo Ricotta Luxurious variation of classic ricotta made from buffalo milk, offering a richer and creamier texture than cow's milk ricotta, sold as a specialty item.
• Baked Ricotta Ricotta prepared using a baked preparation method, producing a blend of creamy and golden characteristics for serving warm dishes.
• Ricotta Salata Savory and firm cheese with a Mediterranean touch, made from salted and pressed ricotta.
• Stracciatella Delicate mozzarella curd shreds mixed with fresh cream producing a stringy-curd and cream blend. Sold in 375g portions.
• Mozzarella Natural pasta filata cheese made from fresh pasteurized cow's milk, available in fresh eating varieties (white, milky, soft) and pizza loaf varieties (light yellow, semi-firm for shredding). Sold in 250g and 500g pears, 2.5kg loafs, and 500g or 2kg shredded packs.
• Provoletta Pasta filata cheese similar to provolone, suited to melting and grilling. Sold in 750g format.
• Salamini Small elongated pasta filata cheeses ideal for appetizers and charcuterie boards, available in 500g and 1kg formats.
• Scamorza Pear-shaped pasta filata cheese with a mild flavor, similar to mozzarella but typically aged.
• Smoked Scamorza Smoked variation of scamorza offering a distinctive smoky flavour while retaining the pasta filata texture.
• Bocconcini Bite-sized pasta filata cheeses made from fresh pasteurized cow's milk, rindless and unripened, packed in brine with a creamy elastic texture. Available in 200g, 600g, and 1.2kg packs.
• Fior Di Latte Fresh cow's milk mozzarella with a delicate, milky flavor suited to salads and light dishes. Available in 125g and 1kg sizes.
• Treccia Braided pasta filata cheese with a twisted shape commonly used in Italian cuisine. Sold in 500g sizes.
• Pearls Pearl-sized pasta filata cheese portions ideal for salads and appetizers, sold in 200g packs.
• Halloumi Natural cheese from fresh pasteurized cow's milk with a smooth rindless exterior and fibrous rubbery texture that holds shape when fried or grilled. Sold in 2kg blocks.
• Mascarpone Coagulated cheese from fresh pasteurized cow's milk, milky white with a thick spoonable texture, used as an alternative to double cream in sweet and savoury dishes. Sold in 500g tubs.
• Parmesan Drum-shaped hard cheese made from fresh pasteurized cow's milk, aged up to two years, with fruity, nutty, savoury, sharp taste and a hard to very hard body. Available grated in 250g and 2kg packs.
• Pecorino Semi-Hard Semi-hard variety of Pecorino cheese offering a milder flavour profile than the aged Pecorino variants.
• Pecorino Pepato Drum-shaped hard cheese from pasteurized cow's milk distributed with whole black peppercorns, matured for a minimum of 4 months, with salty tangy citrus flavours and peppercorn spiciness.
• Pecorino Red Chilli Drum-shaped hard cheese distributed with red pepperoncino flakes, matured for a minimum of 4 months, with moderate spiciness comparable to jalapeño.
• Pecorino Romano Drum-shaped hard cheese with firm to very hard body matured for 8 to 12 months developing characteristic sharp tangy flavors, ideal for grating over Italian dishes.
• Fresh Pecorino Mild white fresh curd cheese with a moist firm body, suitable for grilling, frying, salads, vegetables, or as a fresh table cheese.
• Fetta Traditional Italian-style fresh curd cheese with a soft texture, typically brined, used in salads and Mediterranean dishes.
• Tuma Fresh curd cheese variety typical of Sicilian and Southern Italian cuisine with a mild flavor.
• Sweet Cheese Mild, sweet-flavored fresh curd cheese variety produced by Floridia Cheese.
• Casalingo Semi-soft natural cheese made from fresh pasteurized cow's milk with a creamy firm consistency, yellowish rind, and pale yellow body; sweet and delicate in flavour, suited to cured meats, fig jam, and honey pairings.
• Seventy Years The Story of Floridia Cheese (book) Beautifully crafted commemorative book celebrating seven decades of tradition, filled with heartfelt reminiscences and cherished family recipes.
• Floridia Cheese Tee – MILK ON THE MOO-VE Branded cotton apparel item carrying the 'Milk on the Moo-Ve' Floridia Cheese design.
• Floridia Cheese Tee – MOZZARELLA TIME Branded cotton apparel item carrying the 'Mozzarella Time' Floridia Cheese design.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46 years of continuous supply relationship with Papa Gino's Restaurant
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Papa Gino's RestaurantcoreOthersLong-term supply relationship spanning 46 years, providing cheese for pizzas and pasta at this Carlton restaurant. The Montalto family takes great pride in production of their cheeses and are always striving for improvement.
• Mediterranean Wholesalers PTY. LTD.coreOthersWholesale supply relationship for over 40 years. Customers have come to recognise the Floridia brand and continue purchasing for consistent quality in their products.
• BrunetticlassicominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership featuring Floridia Cheese at Rome: Empire, Power, People exhibition event, showcasing Italian culinary heritage through cheese products at cultural events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Yarra Valley Cheese: Victoria-based artisan cheese producer specializing in European-style cheeses such as Persian fetta, marinated fetta, and labneh. Comparable as a regional Victorian competitor in the premium fresh cheese segment with similar distribution channels.

Broad incumbents

• Saputo Dairy Australia: Subsidiary of Canadian dairy giant Saputo Inc., operating former Murray Goulburn assets in Australia with national cheese and dairy product manufacturing. Represents a major incumbent competitor with scale, private-label capability, and broad distribution that competes in mozzarella, cheddar, and ingredient cheese.
• Bega Cheese: One of Australia's largest dairy and cheese companies, producing household cheese brands (Bega, Vegemite) plus ingredient cheese. Operates at massive scale with national distribution, representing the incumbent competitive pressure Floridia faces.
• Lactalis Australia: Australian arm of French dairy multinational Lactalis, producing a wide range of cheeses (Parmalat, President, Galbani brands) for retail and foodservice. Comparable as a global incumbent with Italian cheese category overlap, particularly in mozzarella and parmesan.
• King Island Dairy: Premium Tasmanian specialty cheese maker owned by Saputo, producing brie, camembert, and aged cheeses. Comparable in premium positioning and award recognition, though larger and corporate-owned rather than family-operated.

Direct peers

• Montefiore Cheese: Australian producer of Italian-style kosher cheeses including mozzarella, pecorino, ricotta, and halloumi. Closely comparable in Italian-heritage branding, traditional artisan production, and cheese category overlap.
• Jindi Cheese: Australian specialty cheese producer with a broad portfolio of soft, hard, and fresh cheeses serving retail and foodservice. Comparable as another premium Australian cheese manufacturer with award-winning products and similar customer base.
• That's Amore Cheese: Melbourne-based Italian-style artisan cheese manufacturer producing mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, and other fresh Italian cheeses for retail and foodservice. Most direct comparable peer given overlapping Italian-heritage positioning, Melbourne geography, and similar product portfolio.
• La Casa del Formaggio: Family-owned Australian manufacturer specializing in Italian-style cheeses including bocconcini, mozzarella, ricotta, and feta. Highly comparable in production approach, customer segments (foodservice/retail), and family-business heritage.

Emerging players

• Bruny Island Cheese Co. Tasmanian artisan cheese producer with farm-to-table positioning, supplying specialty retailers and restaurants. Comparable as a premium Australian specialty cheese brand leveraging provenance and traditional methods, though smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/floridiacheese
• Xx.com/floridiacheese
• Facebookfacebook.com/floridiacheeseaustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/floridia-cheese

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Floridia Cheese