Meat Business
The Durban Family has been in the Meat and Grocery Business for almost a century (since the early 1930’s). Our efforts in the business have included Butcher Shops, Distribution and Manufacturing.
Created a Small Chain of Meat Markets in Ohio and Pennsylvania
Peter Durban started a small meat and grocery chain (1930’s) called Durban Foods in the Akron, OH area. As a member of the
Volunteer Food Stores Coop, Durban Foods grew to a number of locations in Canton, OH, Youngstown, OH and Newcastle, PA.
Peter Durban sold the business in the late 1940’s to move his family to Southern California to re-start the business there. Peter’s
sons and daughters (with the in-laws) continued in the food and meat businesses in different variations.
Tommy Eritano one of the partners in the business…Established Butcher Shops and a Meat Distribution Business that was eventually bought out by Sysco – Uncle’s Monte Durban and Tom Eritano and Cousins David, Tommy and Russell Eritano were heavily involved in the meat business over two generations. Tom had a meat business career including working with Zacky Farms (in the Fresno area) ending up opening his own butcher shop. His sons David and Tommy carried on with the family business with a series of butcher shop and meat distribution businesses (including trucking). One of their distribution businesses was successfully sold to Sysco
Foods (included meat distribution to area food service customers including the California Prison System).
Monte Durban as a meat cutter…
Certified Grocers of Los Angeles
Became High-Level Managers and Buyers with Certified Grocers (now Unified Grocers) John and Bill Durban enjoy 40-years each with Certified Grocers with a number of roles including being in charge of the ordering and purchasing departments. They both saw the extensive growth of Certified Grocers (the number one wholesaler and coop in the world at that time) over the years working with retailers such as Mayfair (Gelson’s), Hughes, Boys, Jensen’s and Market Basket stores. Certified Grocers is now known as Unified Grocers.
John and Bill Durban at lunch with other Certified Grocers buyers…
The next Durban Generation become manufacturers launching a number of successful brands into retailers nationwide. Their efforts with Slice of Life Foods include private label, co-packing and branded projects.
