FMI Connect 2015 Forges First‐Ever Partnership with Italian Trade Agency (ITA)
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has named Italy as the “Host Country” for FMI Connect 2015, the food retail industry’s premier event focusing on keeping ahead of the accelerating pace of change in food retail.
The event, which draws more than 13,000 food industry professionals, prepares retailers for the evolving competitive environment and delivers solutions for increasing consumer engagement. Italy is the ideal partner to elevate the importance of a key competitive strategy: providing “authentic” international options.
“As shoppers seek varied tastes and quality products, 83% of retail companies report an emphasis on ethnic products as a competitive strategy, and it is ranked as the third‐most effective tool for differentiation,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. “The strong Italian presence at FMI Connect provides efficiencies for retailers and suppliers to meet for strategic discussions on specialty imported foods.”
“The Italian Trade Agency is honored to partner with FMI Connect as the first country ever to be featured at this high‐profile exhibition of the best products, equipment and services aimed at the U.S. food retail industry,” said Roberto Luongo, CEO of the Italian Trade Agency.
“We have secured the participation of an impressive group of more than 50 leading exhibitors representing Italy, to showcase the highest quality and excellence of “Authentic Italian” foods and beverages. Our focus is to reinforce that authentic Italian products create superior culinary experiences within homes in America, and we know that millions of shoppers are continuing to seek out “Made in Italy” products.”
Outside Europe, the U.S. is the primary market for Italian exports, representing the largest market for majority of worldwide consumer categories. In the past several years, the export of Italian food products to the U.S. has continued to exponentially grow. As an effort to take full advantage of the potential in the U.S., the ITA is committed to promoting significant, qualitative gains of Italian exports to the U.S. by way of educating the market of the value of “Made in Italy” food products. As a result of targeting the public through major retailer initiatives geared toward the introduction of new products and companies, ITA’s partnership with FMI became a natural development.
Increased options in “authentic” ethnic food at retail can also give life to in‐store programs and events to inspire shoppers at mealtime. While 91% of retailers report offering global food products, only 56% dedicate a space for cooking demonstrations, powerful tools to introduce shoppers to new products and categories.
ITA at FMI Connect
Within the first‐ever Italian Trade Agency pavilion, FMI Connect attendees will have the opportunity to meet with more than 50 Italian food and beverage companies that offer a wide variety of authentic Italian products including: wine, seafood, mineral water, olive oil, herbs, pasta, riso, breads, cured meats, and much more. Each of the illustrious regions of Italy will be represented with a focus on companies with rich histories of internationally distributed, family‐made products.
Throughout the three‐day trade exhibition, visitors to the Italian pavilion will be able to attend and participate in daily food and wine demonstrations from notable Italian chefs, attend wine seminars and sample a selection of fine Italian wines in a dedicated wine bar. Enjoy an espresso or cappuccino in the “Italian coffee bar,” and savor the richness of Italian gelato.
Directly outside and to the left of the Italian Pavilion a display of iconic Italian‐made automobiles from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati will complete the “Authentic Italian” experience.
Exhibitors:
- A.B.C. Allevatori Bufalini Casertani Coop. Agricola – Specialties: PDO Buffalo Mozzarella curd; solely from pure buffalo milk (Curds are gently scented and are transformed into Mozzarella); Booth: 1045
- Acetificio Marcello De Nigris – Specialties: Balsamic vinegars of Modena, IGP, Italian wine vinegar, flavored vinegars, glaze and ketchup; Booth 741
- Agritalia – Specialties: Pasta, sauces, olive oil, vinegar, frozen products, jams, gnocchi, organic and gluten free products, rice, couscous; Booth 744
- AIA – Specialties: Deli counter products ‐ traditional cured and cooked hams, mortadella, salamis (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Alinor – Specialties: Dairy cream, dairy béchamel, milk dessert, panna cotta, organic rice drinks, organic oat drinks, organic almond drinks, organic soy drinks, organic rice desserts, organic soy cream, organic rice cuisine, organic rice béchamel; Booth 1146
- Balconi – Specialties: Pies, sponge cake snacks, mini rolls , biscuits and wafers; Booth 740
- Biscottificio Verona – Specialties: Ladyfingers, Amaretti (macaroons), almond cookies, sugared and glazed puff pastries, breadsticks; Booth 743
- Bonomelli – Specialties: Teas ‐ filtrofiore chamomile, sifted chamomile, herbal tea, instant chamomile, relax miller, green tea and fruit infusion (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Caffarel – Specialties: Mouth‐watering pralines, fine chocolate bars, chocolate snacks, chocolate spreads, hard fruit candies and tender fruit jellies, make up the wide assortment of these high‐quality traditional Italian confectionery; Booth 640
- Campo d’Oro di Licata Paolo & C. – Specialties: Gourmet pesto, tomato sauce, sweet cream, jam, olives, and aromatic sea salt; Booth 738
- Casa Vinicola Abbazia di San Gaudenzio – Specialties: Italian wines and sparkling wines: Moscato, Moscato d’Asti, Asti, Prosecco, Barolo, Barbera, Rosè sparkling, and many others; Booth 945
- CASALE – Specialties: Traditional parma ham, San Daniele ham and Italian salumi; Booth 1144
- Conserve Italia – Specialties: Fruit, tomatoes, vegetables; finished product brands ‐ Valfrutta, Cirio, Yoga, Derby Blue, Juver, and St. Mamet (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Compagnia Alimentare Italiana – Specialties: many different varieties of Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar of Modena PGI, olive paste, artichoke paste, sundried tomato paste, bruschetta, spray extra virgin olive oil with different flavors, pasta and coffee; Booth 1246
- Consorzio Italia del Gusto – Consortium comprising 29 among the most relevant Italian food and wine companies. The following companies are featured at FMI: Aia, Bonomelli, Conserve Italia, Noberasco, Orogel, Ponti, Regnoli, Riso Gallo, San Benedetto, Zonin; Booth 143
- Corsino Corsini – Specialties: a wide selection of coffees, including classic Italian blends, single origin and single estate 100% Arabica coffees (some organic and some Fairtrade certified), Caffé Corsini and Compagnia dell’Arabica (include coffee beans, ground coffee, gift sets, compatible capsules and pods); Booth 1545
- Deco Industrie – Specialties: biscuits, panettone and pandoro, piadina; Booth 841
- Dolfin – Specialties: Ready to freeze fruit, ice lollies, sorbets and granitas, ready to freeze ice cream and chocolate novelties; Booth 842
- Farmo – Specialties: GF Pasta ‐ brown rice, corn, quinoa and amaranth; GF bakery products ‐ grissini, cantucci, amaretti and bruschetta; GF baking mixes ‐ pizza crust, pancakes and muffins; Booth 644
- Ferrarini – Specialties: Cooked ham, Parma ham, mortadella, salami, Parmigiano Reggiano (no gmo), butter (no gmo), balsamic vinegar and wines; Booth 638
- FIRMA ITALIA – Specialties: Pasta with sauce, Italian risotto, dry sauces, dry soups, tortellini with sauce, gnocchi with sauce, lasagne, flavored mash potatoes, flavored polenta, seasoned rice, flavored cous; shake & bake seasoning and gluten free options; Booth 739
- Fratelli Beretta USA – Specialties: Salami, prosciutto and mortadella; Booth 540
- Gramm – Specialties: Dry pasta, bronze die cut pasta, dry organic pasta, traditional and vegan‐friendly bakery snacks; Booth 1445
- Grissin Bon – Specialties: bread; Booth 839
- Igor – Specialties: Gorgonzola (DOP Dolce and Piccante type); Booth 1641
- Inalca Food & Beverage – Specialties: Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, Italian regional olive oils, Mediterranean blends, flavored olive oils and seed oils. Vinegars: Balsamic vinegar from Modena PDO and PGI; Frozen pizza, Italian charcuterie, pastas, rice, sauces, spreads, tomatoes, olives, legumes, vegetables, salty snacks, sweets, pastries, cookies, biscuits, salt, spices, condiments, toppings and cheese; Booth 838
- La Fabbrica Della Pasta Di Gragnano – Specialties: Wheat Durum Semolina Artisan Pasta in more than 100 different shapes (some of these registered and patented); Booth 742
- GRANAROLO – Specialties: Pecorini Senesi, which is range of artisan cheeses made using unpasteurized, sheep’s milk and traditional production techniques and includes; Amalattea, a wide range of goat cheeses made on the beautiful island of Sardinia; mature Saggio and the cheese Caciocavallo Silano, which is one of the most ancient and typical kinds of ropy paste cheese from Calabria in Southern Italy and made with 100% cow’s milk; Booth 538
- Levoni – Specialties: Prosciutto San Daniele DOP & Prosciutto Parma, Italian steam cooked ham (natural), herbs, Italian mortadella (various sizes with or without pistachio nuts), cotechino cooked sausage (Modena IGP), steam‐cooked pancetta, roasted pork coppa, porchetta and speck alto Adige IGP (all MSG free & gluten‐free); Booth 645
- Lodato Gennaro & C. – Specialties: peeled tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, passata, San Marzano tomatoes D.O.P., cherry tomatoes, sliced tomatoes, beans in brine, jar and tin, pasta sauce, soups, cereals and beans; Booth 1645
- Luzi – Specialties: Organic wholemeal, specialty spelt organic wholemeal, broad bean specialty spelt wholemeal flours and organic pearled farro; Booth 1644
- Manfredi Barbera & Figli – Specialties: Virgin and extra virgin olive oil collections including: Lorenzo n.1, Lorenzo n.3, Lorenzo n.5, Giardini di Canalotto, Aurum Mundi, Selezione Storica Giardini Del Paradiso biologico, Baglio Delle Saline D.O.P., Valli Trapanesi, Castello Di Resuttana D.O.P., Val Di Mazara, Madre Montagna D.O.P. Monte Etna, Tempio Dell’ulivo D.O.P. Valle Del Belice, Masserie Dell’altopiano D.O.P. Monti Iblei, Olio Di Casa Barbera, Non Filtrato, Filtrato, Alive, Tipo Famiglia; Booth 1244
- Molino Grassi – Specialties: Flour and semolina (organic and conventional), organic flour, pizza & focaccia flour, miracolo organic flour (QB line), multigrain organic flour (QB line) and remilled semolina; Booth 642
- Molino Nicoli – Specialties: Organic and gluten‐free cereals and cereal bars, gluten‐free chips, organic & gluten‐free baby puffs, gluten‐free cous and gluten‐free polenta corn flour; Booth 544
- Monini North America, MUTTI – Specialties: 100% natural products with short ingredient lists, including: Polpa (finely chopped tomatoes, passata (tomato puree) and concentrate (tomato paste, pelati, peeled tomatoes); Booth 1046
- Monini North America, MONINI – Specialties: Monini original extra virgin olive oil (all sizes including foodservice and industrial), Monini fruttato extra virgin olive oil, Monini flavored oils (white truffle, basil, rosemary, porcini) and Monini DOP oils (Umbria, Toscana, Puglia, Sicilia); Booth 1145
- Montalbano Ind. Agr. – Specialties: Pesto Sauces (with organic, gluten free and vegan options), Italian antipastos, bruschetta topping sauces (with organic, gluten free and vegan options), vegetable appetizers, (with organic options) olives, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, grilled vegetables and capers; Booth 1444
- Noberasco – Specialties: Dried fruit products ‐ prunes, apricots, figs, dates, apples; organic products ‐ chestnuts, tomatoes, and apples (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Orogel ‐ Specialties: Plain vegetables, semi‐dried vegetables, aromatic herbs, battered vegetables, half‐moon filled pastry, grilled vegetables, stir fry, ready meals, organic vegetables, fruit drops, jams, ice cream (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Ponti – Specialties: Balsamic vinegars of Modena, wine vinegar, apple vinegar, and glazes (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Regnoli – Specialties: Marinated eel, fried whitebait, mackerel, seafood salad, anchovy and sarine fillets and vegetable products (seasoned and grilled) (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Riso Di Pasta Viazzo – Specialties: Gourmet gluten free pasta made from parboiled rice; Booth 1245
- Riso Gallo – Specialties: Established in 1856, Riso Gallo is an Italian family business spanning six generations and 159 years, specializing in risotto rice and authentic risotto grown at the Riso Gallo mill based in the Northern Po Valley and exports to 75 countries (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Rive Della Chiesa – Specialties: Prosecco sparkling brut DOC Treviso, prosecco sparkling extra dry DOC Treviso, prosecco sparkling superior extra dry Asolo DOCG; Booth 944
- Romeo Ficacci – Specialties: A range of Italian and Greek olives, including Castelvetrano, Gaeta, Cerignola, Leccino, Kalamata, Halkidiki and many others, all of which are alternatively prepared in brine or with typical Italian dressings in MAP, in several sizes and packaging; Booth 641
- Roncadin Pizza – Specialties: Snacks, wood‐fired and organic pizza; Booth 542
- Rummo USA – Specialties: Durum wheat semolina pasta, organic pasta, organic whole wheat pasta, dry egg pasta, baby food pasta, enriched pasta, flavored pasta and bronze die pasta (gluten‐free options); Booth 844
- San Benedetto – Specialties: Bottled water in both glass and plastic, both sparkling and non‐carbonated, non‐ carbonated canned soft drinks, carbonated soft drinks, non‐carbonated fruit based drinks, isotonic drinks, and bottled ice tea. (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
- Soc. Agricola Monterosso COOP “AGROMONTE” – Specialties: Cherry tomato ready pasta sauce, cherry tomato semi‐dry, Sicilian pesto, puttanesca sauce, norma sauce, ricotta sauce, garlic sauce, arrabbiata sauce, pane and pasta range (cherry tomato, cherry tomato with peppers, cherry tomato with artichokes, asparagus, sweet pepper and green olives); Booth 1441
- Sterilgarda Alimenti, UHT – Specialties: Micro filtered 100% Italian milk, UHT lactose free milk, mascarpone UHT cooking cream and whipping cream, UHT fruit juices (FC), squeezed juices and smoothies (NFC), UHT dessert, pudding, panna cotta dessert, chocolate milk, béchamel sauce yogurt, YoCrem fresh cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, tomato passata and tomato juice, lemon and peach tea; Booth 1744
- Togni ‐ Rocca Dei Forti – Specialties: Sparkling wines (brut, sweet, prosecco, moscato and brachetto), Casaldomo Sparkling wines (brut, sweet, sweet red, moscato, demise), CASALFARNETO still wines (TERZA RIMA), craft beer and mineral water (FRASASSI AND SAN CASSIANO); Booth 1044
- Zonin – Specialties: Wines ‐ Castello del Poggio, Il Bosco, Tenuto Ca’ Bolani, Castello d’Albola, Rocca di Montemassi, Abbazia di Monte Oliveto, Masseria Altemura, Feudo Principi di Butera, Barboursville Vineyards (member of Consorzio Italia del Gusto); Booth 1438
For more information: www.italtrade.com