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Founder and CEO
Steve Menza is the Founder and CEO of Wholesome Products, a pioneer with expertise in high-quality, award-winning entrees using unique FreshFreeze Cryotechnology and vacuum, skin pack technology. Wholesome Products is located in Lemont, IL and operates a 60,000 sq. ft. USDA, FDA and SQF Level 3 certified manufacturing plant.
Under Steve’s leadership, Wholesome Products has been the manufacturing partner for some of the largest companies in the food industry, including Nestle, Tyson Foods, JBS Meats, Plumrose USA, Daily Harvest and Nation Pizza.
Steve developed and created a concept called Frozen Foodies. Under his direction, Frozen Foodies developed a unique processing method using revolutionary FreshFreeze Cryotechnology and vacuum, skin pack technology that flash-freezes each entrée. Frozen Foodies entrees were sold through regional grocery stores, worldwide military bases, national hotel chains and universities in 40 states. He customized this technology with Tyson Foods to develop a new concept called Tyson Deli Market, which won numerous innovation awards in the grocery industry. In addition, Steve worked with multiple award-winning chefs to expand their market share by creating gourmet recipes using the FreshFreeze technology to develop chef inspired brands sold through grocery channels.
Prior to forming Wholesome Products and Frozen Foodies, Steve founded Features Restaurant & Bar, located in Naperville, IL, where he served as President and CEO. During his leadership at Features, he was awarded “Operator of the Year” by the city of Naperville. Today, Features remains a highly successful business.
Steve received numerous awards for his accomplishments during his career including “Supplier of the Year Award”, “Best Manufacturing Partner” and “Entrepreneur of the Year.” He also received a “Philanthropic Award” from the Greater Chicago Food Depository in honor of his generous support donating meals each year to feed 20,000 underprivileged families. Steve was selected as the keynote speaker at several national sales conventions and food industry functions presenting on the topic of “Food Industry Trends” and “The Future of Cryotechnology”.
Mr. Menza was born in Clarendon Hills, IL. He graduated from Illinois State University in 1982 with a BA in Business Management.
Steve and his wife, Patti, reside in Clarendon Hills, IL and have five children.