Business Details
48 Years
experience
Your Premium Specialty Food Distributor
European Imports has been a leader in specialty food distribution since 1978. Founded in Chicago by Beverly and Seymour Binstein, we began as a cheese importer and expanded into a full-line specialty food distributor through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Our 47-year history reflects a commitment to culinary excellence, offering 4,700+ products including artisan cheeses, exotic meats, and international specialty goods. As part of Sysco since 2012, we combine family-owned tradition with nationwide distribution capabilities. Our dedicated sales team provides personalized support, product training, and merchandising solutions tailored to retailers and foodservice professionals.We maintain 2,000 sq ft cheese-cutting facilities and distribute to Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Northern California markets. Our 'Life in Provence' brand and partnerships with global producers preserve authentic flavors while meeting modern culinary demands. We prioritize quality assurance through rigorous supplier vetting and cold-chain logistics. Our marketing programs include co-op advertising, seasonal promotions, and 5,000+ product catalogs. With warehouse locations in Illinois, Texas, Virginia, and California, we deliver reliable service with competitive pricing while maintaining the personal attention of our founding years.
Services
Cheese Distribution
Meat & Seafood Supply
Pastry Ingredients
Specialty Food Products
Retail Merchandising Support
Foodservice Distribution
Product Licensing
Catalog Sales
Trade Show Participation
Customer Training Programs
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We offer over 4,700 specialty food products nationwide
- Our team provides expert product knowledge and training
- We maintain competitive pricing with high-quality standards
- We have over 45 years of industry experience
- We partner with Sysco for nationwide distribution
Services
Cheese Distribution
We distribute 2,000+ cheese varieties including artisan, imported, and domestic options. Our temperature-controlled facilities ensure freshness for traditional delis and grab-and-go retailers. We offer custom cutting and packaging solutions for foodservice and retail clients.
Meat & Seafood Supply
Our 500+ specialty meat and seafood items include exotic game, charcuterie, and sustainable seafood. We provide both bulk and retail-ready packaging with cold-chain logistics for restaurants, hotels, and specialty retailers nationwide through Sysco's distribution network.
Pastry Ingredients
We supply professional-grade pastry ingredients and par-baked goods from global producers. Our offerings include premium chocolates, baking essentials, and frozen dough products for commercial kitchens and specialty food retailers across multiple distribution centers.
Specialty Food Products
Our 4,700+ specialty items span international cuisines with brands like Life in Provence and Amber Valley. We offer shelf-stable goods, specialty oils, and unique ingredients for both retail and foodservice channels with dedicated product specialists available for support.
Retail Merchandising Support
We provide comprehensive merchandising programs including co-op advertising, seasonal promotions, and in-store displays. Our marketing team develops custom campaigns with shelf tags, holiday catalogs, and product training to boost specialty food sales for retailers.
Questions
What products does European Imports offer?
We offer 4,700+ specialty food products including artisan cheeses, exotic meats, pastry ingredients, and international specialty goods from brands like Life in Provence and Amber Valley.
When was European Imports established?
European Imports was founded in 1978 by Beverly and Seymour Binstein as a cheese importer in Chicago.
What regions do you serve?
We serve retailers and foodservice providers in the Midwest, Southeast, South, Southwest, and Northern California regions through our distribution centers in Illinois, Texas, Virginia, and California.
Are you part of Sysco?
Yes, European Imports became part of Sysco Corporation in 2012, combining our specialty food expertise with Sysco's nationwide distribution network.
