Saval Foods to move its food distribution operations to Columbia

Saval Foods, a family-owned foodservice distribution company headquartered in Elkridge, broke ground Wednesday on a new headquarters and distribution facility in Howard County.

The 230,000-square-foot facility in Columbia Gateway will house the company’s corporate operations and two of its existing businesses — Saval Foodservice and 1932 Specialty Produce and Meat — bringing nearly 400 employees with it and creating 107 new full-time jobs over the next four years, according to a press release from the Maryland Department of Commerce.

“This new headquarters represents an important milestone for Saval Foods,” the company’s CEO and president, Paul Saval, said in the release. “Bringing our operations together under one roof will allow us to work more efficiently, strengthen collaboration across our teams and create the space we need to continue growing.”

Saval Foods was founded in 1932 as a family-owned deli. It’s now the largest local independent broadline food distributor in the mid-Atlantic region, primarily serving restaurants, hospitality groups and institutional kitchens.

Saval Foods has existing facilities in Baltimore City and Howard and Baltimore counties.

The company is eligible for a $1.75 million conditional loan from the Maryland Department of Commerce. Howard County’s Economic Development Authority is assisting with an $800,000 repayable loan and a $175,000 grant for workforce training and development.

The location also falls within the state’s Enterprise Zone, a program that provides real property and state income tax credits.

“As our administration builds a dynamic economy, supports our communities, and builds pathways to work, wages and wealth, we look forward to our continued partnership with Saval Foods as they expand in Howard County,” Gov. Wes Moore said in the release.

Saval Foods acquired Pastore’s Italian Wholesale Distributor last year. Pastore’s “Sun of Italy” brand was preserved as part of the acquisition.

Saval Foods’ new facility is part of a wave of distribution centers moving into Howard County.

Last April, Tradepoint Atlantic announced that it was opening a logistics hub in the county, creating 500 supply chain and logistics jobs. And the Rhode Island-based premium food service company Feast & Fettle announced last November that it was moving a new production and distribution center to the county.

Similarly to the Saval Foods deal, Feast & Fettle was eligible for a $1 million conditional loan through the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Advantage Maryland program, a $500,000 loan from the Howard County Economic Development Authority and a $100,000 grant for workforce training.