United Salad Co. Australia
United Salad Co. Headquarters Location
Portland, OR
United Salad Co. Photos
About United Salad Co.
Leo Spada, the immigrant son of an Italian farmer, and his wife Mary, began farming small parcels of land in a tiny coastal town in Oregon. Like all children of that era, the Spada’s young sons Ernie and Leon, were brought into the farming business at a young age.
With solid connections established in the farming and orchard community, Leo and Mary Spada moved their family to Portland in 1940 and founded United Salad Co. The company was originally located at 10th and SE Belmont Street in Portland, Oregon. In 1946, United Salad Co. moved to a larger building at 3rd and SE Alder Street.
In 1949 sons Ernie and Leon were brought into the family business as partners. Leon, known affectionately as “Junior,” had just come back from the war. From then on, the two boys worked side by side for the next 50 years - and never once had an argument.
The unbreakable bond between them was enhanced by their different personalities. Junior was gregarious, very social and loved life. His motto of “work hard and play hard” served the company well. He had a way with people and was soon in charge of buying and sales. He was known and loved by everyone in the industry and is missed very much.
Ernie was the planner and the entrepreneur. While his brother was away at war, Ernie worked from midnight to eight in the morning for his folks, and finished high school during the day. To this day, he remains tireless and is always looking ahead in search of newer and better ways to shape and grow the family’s businesses.
By 1960, United Salad Co. had become a full-line wholesaler to the local produce trade and sold all varieties of fruit, vegetables, herbs, along with specialty and processed produce. We employed over 120 people in our retail packing department alone. In 1964, the company moved again to 10th and SE Alder Street and continued to grow.
In 1985, United Salad Co. purchased Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. to meet the needs of the food service industry.
In 1999, when the construction of our new technologically-advanced 136,000 square foot plant, warehouse, and office complex was complete, we moved one more time into our current location on NE 33rd Drive.
About UsWith solid connections established in the farming and orchard community, Leo and Mary Spada moved their family to Portland in 1940 and founded United Salad Co. The company was originally located at 10th and SE Belmont Street in Portland, Oregon. In 1946, United Salad Co. moved to a larger building at 3rd and SE Alder Street.
In 1949 sons Ernie and Leon were brought into the family business as partners. Leon, known affectionately as “Junior,” had just come back from the war. From then on, the two boys worked side by side for the next 50 years - and never once had an argument.
The unbreakable bond between them was enhanced by their different personalities. Junior was gregarious, very social and loved life. His motto of “work hard and play hard” served the company well. He had a way with people and was soon in charge of buying and sales. He was known and loved by everyone in the industry and is missed very much.
Ernie was the planner and the entrepreneur. While his brother was away at war, Ernie worked from midnight to eight in the morning for his folks, and finished high school during the day. To this day, he remains tireless and is always looking ahead in search of newer and better ways to shape and grow the family’s businesses.
By 1960, United Salad Co. had become a full-line wholesaler to the local produce trade and sold all varieties of fruit, vegetables, herbs, along with specialty and processed produce. We employed over 120 people in our retail packing department alone. In 1964, the company moved again to 10th and SE Alder Street and continued to grow.
In 1985, United Salad Co. purchased Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. to meet the needs of the food service industry.
In 1999, when the construction of our new technologically-advanced 136,000 square foot plant, warehouse, and office complex was complete, we moved one more time into our current location on NE 33rd Drive.
We the people of United Salad
For four generations, United Salad has pledged allegiance to customers, employees, farmers, and suppliers. We are one company standing united, providing outstanding products and service for all.
How We Got Here
Our roots reach back to World War II, when Mary Spada had a “what if” moment.
She saw how women had to go to work every day and still make dinner on the home front every night. One day a light bulb went on: What if women could get produce that required little to no preparation?
Yeah, Mary was ahead of her time—a true Portland trailblazer. After talking it over with her husband, Leo (another smart cookie), Mary founded United Salad Company.
With $15, a flatbed truck, and a bathtub, Mary began washing and prepackaging salad to sell to women in the area. She spent many an hour bent over that bathtub.
Our First Location
Our first location was at 10th and SE Belmont in Portland. Three years after setting up shop, sons Leon and Ernie Sr. were brought on as partners. Leon, known affectionately as “Junior”, worked side-by-side with his brother for five decades. Two peas in a pod.
Junior’s gregarious nature served him well and he took the helm of both buying and sales. He was a favorite in the industry and is greatly missed by our family and those with whom he worked.
Ernie’s energy and spirit enabled him to attend high school during the day and work nights as a buyer and warehouse manager. He took us to new heights with his business savvy and forward thinking. Ernie Sr. (now 89 and counting) is still a fixture in the office, working with his son, daughters, and grandchildren to further grow our family business.
In 1975, Ernie, Jr. joined the company working as a buyer. Eventually, he began running our day-to-day operations. A true visionary, Ernie, Jr. has an uncanny knack for sniffing out new trends. With the safety of our customers always in mind, he has made attentive service and food safety a hallmark here.
EmploymentFor four generations, United Salad has pledged allegiance to customers, employees, farmers, and suppliers. We are one company standing united, providing outstanding products and service for all.
How We Got Here
Our roots reach back to World War II, when Mary Spada had a “what if” moment.
She saw how women had to go to work every day and still make dinner on the home front every night. One day a light bulb went on: What if women could get produce that required little to no preparation?
Yeah, Mary was ahead of her time—a true Portland trailblazer. After talking it over with her husband, Leo (another smart cookie), Mary founded United Salad Company.
With $15, a flatbed truck, and a bathtub, Mary began washing and prepackaging salad to sell to women in the area. She spent many an hour bent over that bathtub.
Our First Location
Our first location was at 10th and SE Belmont in Portland. Three years after setting up shop, sons Leon and Ernie Sr. were brought on as partners. Leon, known affectionately as “Junior”, worked side-by-side with his brother for five decades. Two peas in a pod.
Junior’s gregarious nature served him well and he took the helm of both buying and sales. He was a favorite in the industry and is greatly missed by our family and those with whom he worked.
Ernie’s energy and spirit enabled him to attend high school during the day and work nights as a buyer and warehouse manager. He took us to new heights with his business savvy and forward thinking. Ernie Sr. (now 89 and counting) is still a fixture in the office, working with his son, daughters, and grandchildren to further grow our family business.
In 1975, Ernie, Jr. joined the company working as a buyer. Eventually, he began running our day-to-day operations. A true visionary, Ernie, Jr. has an uncanny knack for sniffing out new trends. With the safety of our customers always in mind, he has made attentive service and food safety a hallmark here.
A Good Place to Plant Yourself
Opportunity is always ripe at United Salad, as it has been for generations in this family business. Many of our employees have been with us for decades. We have an outstanding team and we’re proud of our people. Perhaps you’ll join US someday!
Safe EnvironmentOpportunity is always ripe at United Salad, as it has been for generations in this family business. Many of our employees have been with us for decades. We have an outstanding team and we’re proud of our people. Perhaps you’ll join US someday!
Drug & Alcohol Free Work Environment
United Salad Co. is an equal opportunity employer and all employment-related decisions regarding applicants and employees, including hiring, job placement, transfer, promotion, compensation, training and continued employment, are made without regard to an individual’s gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
United Salad Co. is an equal opportunity employer and all employment-related decisions regarding applicants and employees, including hiring, job placement, transfer, promotion, compensation, training and continued employment, are made without regard to an individual’s gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Number of Employees in United Salad Co.
501 to 1,000
United Salad Co. Revenue
$140m to $700m (AUD)
Industry