The history of Salumificio Fontana of Este starts in Montagnana where in 1919 two brothers, Giovanni and Attilio Fontana, found their first salami and sausages production.
In 1941 Giovanni Fontana, after parting from his brother Attilio, starts his production in Este, giving life to one of the historical firms in this borough.
At the end of the 30’s he bought a building which had been used as a cereals storehouse.
Giovanni, born in 1890, turns the store into a salami and sausages factory and begins the production of hams and different kinds of salamis.
At the beginning the firm has about 10 workers and a seasonal activity with a limited number of products.
After only two years the factory is requisitioned by the German military forces and run, for two years, by soldiers to produce salamis and meat for the various military headquarters of the area.
The proper activity starts again in 1945, after the end of the war.
In 1951, because of a serious illness, Giovanni, the founder, is compelled to give up the direction of the factory. His wife Lea Vezzù, a former teacher, carries on the business till, one after the other, the four young sons take part in it personally.
The Salumificio Fontana is now run by 3 brothers: Giuseppe, Francesco and Bruno (Mario died in September 2009) but the third Fontana generation is already present in the family business.