History
Cibaria started out with a single brand of olive oil. Today we’ve grown our product line to well over a hundred items. We are a wholesale distributor for a wide variety of oils from all over the world, plus vinegars, and shelf-stable olives, spreads, and dipping oils. We offer a wide selection of glass bottles. Also available: the sleek Italian Sansone stainless steel fusti that dispenses liquids and protects them during long-term storage. Our products include:
- Olive Oils
- Specialty Oils
- Balsamic Vinegars
- Non-GMO Oils
- Custom-Blended Oils
- Organic Oils
- Infused Oils
- Aerosol Oils
- Commodity Oils
We Have Built Our Reputation On:
01.
A Growing Line of Products from All Over the World
02.
Our Dedicated,
Innovative
Team
03.
Outstanding
Customer
Service
Our sparkling 130,000 square foot manufacturing facility is OU Kosher and organic certified, we hold non-GMO verification, and we are third-party audited.
Our Commitment to Quality Assurance
Every employee plays a part in guaranteeing quality assurance. The following statements confirm we are compliant will all good manufacturing and food-safety requirements:
We hold memberships in these organizations:
We believe in the quality of our products and hold true to our PURPOSE, PHILOSOPHY, and VALUES.
They are the Heart, Soul and Priorities of the company.
We Are Dedicated to Creating Flavorful Possibilities for Life.
We Are Building Relationships with Integrity.
We Strive to Lead with Excellence, Live in Gratitude, Encourage Growth, Embrace Accountability.
Gratitude
We strive to Live in a State of Gratitude – giving us a tool to transform an obstacle into an opportunity to do better and be better.
Growth
Our company culture Encourages Growth and is committed to cultivating an environment conducive to growth with training, mentoring, classes and sharing knowledge to attract and keep the best and the brightest talent.
Excellence
When we Lead with Excellence, we can pivot and demonstrate agility. Those who can adapt quickly to change and respond gracefully exhibit this core value.
Accountability
When a person Embraces Accountability, they see the task at hand, recognize their own aptitude and are intrinsically motivated to finish it. Completing it is a welcomed and foregone conclusion.
Meet Our Team
Kathy Griset
CEO since 1998
Kathy Griset’s journey to success seems straightforward. She started out working in a supermarket in college. Upon graduation, they offered her a management position. After a few years she felt stuck beneath the glass ceiling, but she managed to break out on her own. First, she started a company with former coworkers. That led to a job with the owner of an olive oil company. In 1998 she successfully negotiated with him for its purchase. Now she could take the business where she wanted.
Today, Griset guides Cibaria in its exponential growth as a wholesale supplier. The product line has grown from just one item—olive oil—to hundreds of oils and balsamic vinegars for retail, foodservice, food manufacturing, and soap making.
Griset started out as a single parent of three with no business education beyond her own instincts and experience. Now she sets the company vision, oversees financials, calls on customers—and steers product across the factory floor if necessary. She’s proudly launched many careers in the industry; she’s watched employees work their way up from new hires to positions of leadership. She brought in a management team to expand her reach, while a group of consultants back up her decisions in support of the Cibaria team.
Her goal was to grow Cibaria from its original size. Thanks to the respect she’s gained in the industry plus excellent word-of-mouth marketing, it is now a growing, international company with bright future ahead. Her employees describe her best: “Kathy is the driving force for this company. She is a leader who allows people to drive themselves.” And they say, “She genuinely cares for her employees.”
Anthony Accuar
Human Resources since 2020
Recruiting and training; payroll; benefits; compliance with regulations; insurance—these make up Anthony Accuar’s day.
Seems like that would be enough for one person, but he also remains open. Wherever there’s a need in the company, he’s there to help. Solid, steadfast, and committed to getting things done. That’s what others see in him.
With a background in food manufacturing operations, he’s familiar with all the required audits, training, and certifications. With an MBA, he had a broad range of business knowledge. He’s a troubleshooter.
He finds the free health coverage is a great recruitment tool. Put in a dollar amount, that can add hundreds of dollars per month to a paycheck. That, plus the family-first philosophy and generous paid time off—these add to the quality of life for employees. Accuar says the company is looking for different skill sets, depending on the position. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit and those willing to remain in the same role over time are equally welcome. One thing is certain: if you are ready for a long-term work commitment, Cibaria can find the right spot for you.
Maria Wallace
Sales Manager Since 2022
Looking for a partner in the food industry? You’ll find it in Maria Wallace. She understands all the elements of fine foods and their distribution. She is adept at getting the right products into the hands of the right people.
People. Grocers, restauranters, and chefs all know that top-quality ingredients are the foundation of their success. Wallace understands their unique needs, and she goes out of her way to meet them.
Product. She is always tuned in to innovations in the industry—both domestic and international. Her passion is sharing her extensive knowledge about gourmet foods at sales events and one-to-one with customers.
Process. Wallace is highly skilled at brand building, launching marketing campaigns, and driving sales growth across all channels..
With her passion for food, her understanding of flavors and pairings, and her sales acumen, she is a tremendous resource for all Cibaria’s clients.
Lee Anne Crawford
Customer Service Manager since 2007
Customer service is not just about filling orders or inputting data in the system. It’s about building bonds of trust over the years. LeeAnn Crawford thrives on the relationship she’s built with Cibaria clients. She makes sure they get the top-quality service they deserve. They know they can trust her to keep them informed about any issues that might affect getting their products out in a timely manner
Crawford heads up the customer service team. She’s there to receive and process orders and to follow up with any questions. She’s a hands-on manager who constantly strives to streamline her methods; her morning meetings keep her team informed about supply issues and best practices.
Her work has gained the full respect of the entire Cibaria team. They appreciate her ability to keep product flowing out to an ever-growing circle of satisfied customers.
A Guide to The World of Olive Oils