The M. Maggio Company was started in 1916 by four Sicilian immigrants, the Maggio brothers. The first Maggio cheese "factory" was located on a rented farm in Columbus, New Jersey. They operated their cheese business out of this location for several years before relocating their business to Philadelphia. After seven years and three moves later, the M. Maggio Company finally settled into operations at 9th and Montrose Streets in South Philadelphia. By this time, only one brother - Michael or "M. Maggio" - was left running the business.

In 1945, the Maggio factory was enlarged and modernized, and Michael's three sons, Mario, Peter, and Salvatore became responsible for the daily operation of the business.

By 1957, the Maggio Cheese business was booming due to consumer demand for Maggio's premium quality, "old-world" tasting cheese. The production facilities at 9th and Montrose soon became unable to meet all the demand for Maggio Cheese. In order to give consumers the cheese they were looking for, the brothers moved the cheese factory down the street to a facility at 11th and Washington Streets in South Philadelphia. While the new facility was under construction, the brothers expanded their business to include fluid milk to ensure that a steady supply of milk for cheese making would be available.

Over the years, the Maggio Cheese business expanded the Philadelphia market to include parts of New Jersey, Central Pennsylvania, and Baltimore. In 1998, the Maggio family sold their Italian Cheese business to Crowley Foods, Inc. Since its purchase of Maggio, Crowley has been committed to keeping the Maggio brand the same premium quality, great tasting, "old-world" flavored Italian Cheese that consumers have come to know, love, and trust!