The History of De Cecco Pasta

Prior to the unification of Italy, Don Nicola De Cecco began producing flour in his stone mill in Fara San Martino, a small village located at the bottom of the Majella. He passed his knowledge down to his son Filippo, who began producing pasta using flour from the family’s mill. Around 1886, Filippo created a low temperature drying device that allowed pasta to be dried regardless of weather conditions (previously, the pasta had to be sun-dried). This allowed De Cecco to produce more pasta and export to international markets. In 1908, the company’s trademark image of a country girl from Abruzzo carrying wheat stacks was added to the packaging. After World War II, De Cecco experienced rapid growth. A new production plant was built to replace the one damaged during the war and in the 1950s, the company opened a new pasta factory in Pescara to meet the demand from foreign markets. In 1980, De Cecco established a modernized production unit in Fara San Martino and successfully doubled production capacity. In 1985, the company began creating its own sales and distribution network. The 1990s saw the addition of a new mill in Fara San Martino and a new plant in Ortona. Today, De Cecco pasta has a reputation for quality and is enjoyed all over the world.