Area Development
A producer of gluten-free gourmet food products, Kalo Foods LLC, will invest $650,000 to open its production center in Stokesdale, North Carolina.

Kalo Foods develops and markets a line of gourmet gluten-free products and mixes. The company was founded by Michael Cusato, a service-disabled U.S. Air Force veteran and Gerald Cusato, a U.S. Army veteran. Kalo’s products, which include artisan pizzas and pie crusts, cookies, brownies, and mixes, are sold under the Geralbaldi and Kalo brands. The company plans to sell these items in the Triad area market as well as through its Internet website.

“The decision to base our new gluten-free commercial bakery in North Carolina was made based on the pro-business attitude and business incentives offered by the state and Rockingham County,” said Michael Cusato, president of Kalo Foods. “We look forward to working with our new county and state partners who have helped make our decision possible. Our success will be North Carolina’s success.”

The Rockingham County project was made possible, in part, by a $70,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, said Gov. Bev. Perdue. The One Carolina Fund is contingent on the firm also receiving local incentives. In addition to the state incentive Kalo will also receive $10,000 from Rockingham County and $5,000 in building upgrades. “ Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the baker said it initially plans to hire about 21 new employees.