Tracy Magro says people miss her cooking. “I get calls every week,” said Magro, manager of Magro’s Meat & Produce, 3150 Stanton Ave. She said this interest has led her to launch her own catering company, Magro’s Made with Love Catering.
“I’ve done some catering over the years for friends, political events and union halls,” said Magro, “plus I’ve worked at different restaurants. Then I started prepping food at the store and it just kind of took off.”
Magro’s Meat & Produce opened a Springfield location in January 2016 in the former Eagle’s grocery store and initially offered grocery, produce and deli items in addition to meat processing. Last year, the company decided to streamline operations to focus on meat processing. Owner Tony Magro told SBJ in April 2022 that there was a 12-18 month wait for meat processing and demand for locally sourced meat had increased significantly during the pandemic.
Magro’s Made with Love Catering will offer buffet-style custom catering and Magro said she plans to use some of her family’s authentic Italian recipes, in addition to “down-home country cooking.”
Customers of Magro’s Meat & Produce will also be able to purchase some of the most-requested items, such as Italian beef and pulled pork, in the store.
“There’s an obvious need for it because I’m getting so many calls,” said Magro. “I’ve already booked three events for this month since announcing the catering company yesterday. People know my food.”
