Articles by: Natasha Lardera

For years now Italian food producers and the Italian Government are fighting against Italian sounding products as their damage done to the Italian alimentary export is really consistent.

The web site www.foodinitaly.org explains that “these are counterfeit Italian food products sold with almost-Italian names like “Rosecco” (UK), “Parmesao” (Brazil), and “Mozzarella Company” (USA). These names, rather than reflecting a general food category, mask a lower-quality food which catches the coattails of an Italian brand’s collective reputation.”

Yet, news just came out that the Italian Government is actually financing fake “Made in Italy” products. The scandal was raised by Coldiretti (Confederazione Nazionale Coltivatori Diretti, Italy’s major institution that supports local agriculture) at the Forum dell'Alimentazione in Cernobbio (international food trade show held in the province of Como). On trial are the international sales of bresaola (air dried, salted and aged beef) made in Uruguay, but also of finocchiona (a Tuscan salami made with fennel) and culatello (one of the most prestigious Italian cured meats that is made from the back leg of the pig and then only the rear part of the leg, freed from the bone and skin. It is really the heart of the Prosciutto) made in the USA and sold in New York by Salumeria Rosi, owned by Gruppo Parmacotto. The company has just settled on an agreement with Simest (Società Italiana per le Imprese all'Estero, Italian company in support of businesses abroad under the control of the Ministry of Economic Development) for 11 millions.

Basically they are producing a product with an Italian name but production is 100% foreign. But Simest replies that the Parmacotto project follows the law. “It is not politically acceptable for tthe Government to sponsor, directly or indirectly, the production or distribution of food products that compete with authentic products in a treacherous way,” the president of Coldiretti, Sergio Marini, who is also asking for the resignation of the President and the whole board of directors of Simest,  said and then added “a demonstration with the participation of consumers and businessmen who believe in the one and only Made in Italy label will follow soon.”

The accusations are rejected by Simest, that in a release explains that Parmacotto is “an excellent company,” that has presented “a valuable project that follows lawful rules.” In addition, Simest “supports all the aspects of Made in Italy, including agro-industry” and its mission “is exclusively finalized to reinforcing the presence of Italian businesses abroad.”
Therefore “the social test is addressed to an economic evaluation of the project in compliance with the regulations, also regarding the interdiction of financing in the hypothesis of relocation."

Parmacotto’s president, Marco Rosi replied right away: "We ask Mr Marini to get familiar with the laws in the United States about imports from Italy” that does not allow imports of cured meats. “His controversy is totally sterile and against companies, just like Parmacotto, that export the Made in Italy label in the world.” The ex minister of Agriculture and Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno fully supports Coldiretti and declares: "I am first in line to protest against this shame,” while the consumer groups Adusbef and Federconsumatori are ready to protest too.

"This is a real scandal, something to be ashamed of,” the president of Adusbef and senator of Idv, Elio Lannutti said "we are ready to fight.”

Terraferma (Mainland) by Roman director Emanuele Crialese is the film Italy has chosen to send to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science as the Italian representative in the Academy Awards run. Crialese won his spot over other important Italian directors: Nanni Moretti with his Habemus Papam, Alice Rohrwacher with Corpo celeste, Massimiliano Bruno with Nessuno mi può giudicare, Mario Martone with Noi credevamo, Emidio Greco with Notizie dagli scavi, Giuseppe Gagliardi with Tatanka and Michele Placido with Vallanzasca.

On January 24th we will know if the film has been selected by the Academy to compete in the foreign film section. The director is known to the American public for his previous work, specifically the films Nuovomondo, Respiro and Once we were strangers.

In 2003, Pinocchio by Roberto Benigni was selected to represent Italy at the world’s biggest film award ceremony although many believe that Respiro should have been the country’s choice. That year another great film was snubbed: L'ora di religione by Marco Bellocchio.
 

The committee responsible for the selection at A.N.I.C.A. (Archivio Informatico del Cinema Italiano, Computerized Archive of Italian Cinema) was formed by Nicola Borrelli (president), Marco Bellocchio (film director), Martha Capello (president of AGPC, Associazione Giovani Produttori Cinematografici, Association of young film directors), Francesca Cima (producer), Tilde Corsi (producer), Paola Corvino (president UNEFA, Union of Film and Audiovisual Exporters), Valerio De Paolis (distributor), Luca Guadagnino (film dirctor) and Niccolò Vivarelli (journalist).

“I am extremely happy and honored. I cannot say I was expecting it, but I must say that I was hoping for it,” Crialese said, with hints of emotion in his voice, to the press. “There was no real competition among us directors. We are a team in situations like this. They all are great directors and I do not feel I am competing against them but I am competing with them.”

The film, produced by Cattleya and Rai Cinema in collaboration with Sensi Cinema - Regione Sicilia, has, according to the director himself who has studied in the United States, many different themes that can really interest an American audience. “Americans are very sensitive in regards to all stories focused on human relations and social conflict. They feel close to stories about evolution.”  

The law of the sea says that anyone in need of help must be saved while the law of the authorities has different rules. The sea, filled with fish in the past, is now filled with men looking for help or even worse, it is filled with corpses. At the bottom of the sea fish swim among shoes, documents, toys and the apparently insignificant objects that were dear to an emigrant who has lost his/her life in those waters. And then there is an island: although too small to even appear on a map it becomes the center of a world where tanned tourists dance on the boats and the immigrants look like beached whales.

This island of the Mediterranean, Linosa but it could be Lampedusa or any other final destination, is the backdrop of Crialese’s story… the touching reflection of the Italy of today which is welcoming with its heart but wary of a possible African invasion and social changes.

Terraferma is a choral film but at its core there is the conflict between two women both wishing to have a future somewhere else and to improve their lives. Sara (Timnit T., is a real life immigrant Crialese met through Laura Boldrini, representative at the UN) comes from Ethiopia. It takes her two years to come to Europe and in these two years she even is arrested in Lybia and raped. And there is Giulietta (Donatella Finocchiaro) a young widow, who is tired of the island and of fishing boats. When they bring Sara to her she reacts badly.  And there is Filippo (Filippo Pucillo), her young son, who is confused about what to do with his life. On one side there is tradition represented by his grandfather (Mimmo Cuticchio) who is a fisherman, and on the other there is modernity, represented by his tacky uncle Nino (Giuseppe Fiorello) who invites tourists to enjoy the sun and forget about everything else. The community of the local fishermen and the sea itself are other important characters in the story.

In his fourth film, Crialese abandons the dreamlike atmosphere of his previous films for a story suspended between reality and myth that rework what is happening to our Terraferma.

The Italian Footwear Manufacturers' Association, ANCI, hosted, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission of New York, the summer edition of “I Love Italian Shoes,” during the summer FFANY (Fashion Footwear Association of New York) trade show. The Spring/Summer 2012 collections were introduced in a special Italian footwear showcase at the Flatotel so that manufacturers and exhibitors could connect with importers and retailers to more efficiently buy and sell and develop business relationships.

 
“We are proud to represent some of Italy's finest shoemakers and craftsmen at FFANY. Italian attention to quality and detail is a rarity in the global economy,” Diego Rossetti, US vice president of ANCI said, “the brand variety presented here fulfills the needs of the American footwear market.”
 
ANCI presented 15 of its nearly 1.000 associated companies. They were: Calpierre, Calzoleria Rivolta dal 1883, Capezzani, Eddy Daniele by Vitulli, Fratelli Vanni, Gardenia, Gienna Mielani, Manas, Marino Fabiani, Marino Orlandi, Massimo Santini, Mitica Venezia, Mugnai, Roberto Guerrini and Valentino Orlandi.
 
“The selected brands include men's and women's lines, coming in medium-to-high price ranges,” Trade Commissioner and Executive Director of the ITC for the United States Aniello Musella said, “Italian shoes signify tradition and style, symbolizing excellence on the international stage. Italy produces brand name shoes and lesser known names, but quality is excellent for both. Many lesser known manufacturers offer the service of private label for renown international houses all over the world. A first name that comes to mind is Manolo Blahnik.”

Trade Commissioner Musella continued to explain that the Italian footwear industry, which has been a fundamentally important sector in the country's economy for over 100 years is respected and that can be seen by the numbers, indeed there is an import in the US of 1 million dollars a year.
 
Italian shoes are the expression of tradition and style, symbolizing excellence on the international stage. Italian footwear manufacturers are known for their creativity, technological innovation, and expert craftsmanship. In recent years, the Italian footwear sector has experienced significant growth, which has added value to the traditional Italian leather craftsmanship. Italian shoes have been elevated in importance from a simple consumer good, to a symbol of style and elegance.
 
“Footwear production is the result of both tangible and intangible components and factors that all come together in a business project. Originality and creativity are mixed together with technical standards; organization; strategy; scientific, medical and ecological expertise and applications; management; marketing and more,” Fabio Aromatici, general manager of ANCI said.
 
“Italian footwear is not a prerogative for a mere few, but rather is everyone's right. Originality, creativity and quality are therefore elements to be found in all price ranges within the spending power of each consumer. The aim to achieve excellence is not hindered by creativity, nor by the need to respect human and environmental well-being. Consumers hold a central and fundamental role for Italian footwear manufacturers because they receive and at the same time provide each other with a stimulus,” Vito Artioli, chairman of ANCI added.
 
ANCI works to ensure that the characteristics of the “Made in Italy” trademark will signify “excellence.” ANCI was founded in 1945, and it is an alliance of approximately 1000 footwear manufacturers who are responsible for approximately 70% of the overall Italian footwear production. The purpose of ANCI is to promote projects of economic, technical and scientific relevance to the shoe industry and to represent it at all institutional levels. ANCI believes that FFANY is an ideal way to launch the brands into the American market.
 
“We have a showroom in NY and we are here to increase our presence on the American market,” one of the exhibitors, Emiliano Baccarini of Manas explained, “We have three lines: Manas Lea Foscati, for the elegant and sophisticated woman, Manas Design looks for to functionality and and comfort, while Manas Uomo is a diverse collection for both the informal and the professional man. Manas transformed itself from a small artisan workshop to a global player in the footwear industry. Attention to quality, creativity and ethical business practices are some of Manas' distinctive features, all of which have made a significant contribution to its expansion and success. Part of the company's mission is to constantly innovate, thus offering customers products that are representative of the tradition of the 'Made in Italy' label.”
 
And it is the combination of quality, originality, creativity and innovation what makes 'Made in Italy' footwear so loved around the world that is envied and copied but without ever achieving the high levels of qualitative and aesthetic maturity that set it apart from the rest.

Every month of July, for three days, the Summer Fancy Food Show brings together a quite impressive number of producers, buyers, trade representatives, distributors, store owners, retailers, gift basket assemblers and the media, who share a common interest in gastronomic products from all over the world. Every month of July, up to 2011 the show has been held in New York. Not this time: the 57th annual Summer Fancy Food Show (July 10-12, 2011) calls Washington DC its new home.
 

With 2,400 exhibitors and an estimate of 24,000 attendees for the 2011 edition, “the Summer Fancy Food Show is the biggest showcase on the American market,” Aniello Musella, ITC Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the USA, has stated, “Many go trying to find the next best thing in the world of fancy food, but many others go to reinforce trade relationships that have already started.”

The Show has grown significantly from its early years. The first edition had 40 vendors and 90per cent of them were from Europe. This year Italy the participating countries are a total of 80 and Italy is among them.
 

As it has been for the past 30 years, Italy will have the show’s largest pavilion, located on the Lower Level of the Convention Center, Halls A, B, & C, booths 1040-1767, under the “Italia” banners. “The move from New York to Washington has not affected the presence of Italian producers at the show,” Musella continues, “so Italy will be still going strong. Personally, I hope the Show will return to New York. I moved here in July of 2005 so The Summer Fancy Food was my first official event.”
 

The show's new home, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, is a new state of the art facility but still, many in the business are particularly attached to the New York location, the Jacob Javits Center, mostly because New York is the gastronomic capital of the United States.

According to NASFT this is a “unique opportunity to tap into the D.C. market that is rapidly becoming a food capital with thousands of restaurants and specialty food stores and to give brand exposure to international food connections in a city that is home to more than 150 embassies and international trade organizations.”
 

In order to conquer Washington DC, the Italian Trade Commission has brought together a wide range of authentic Italian gustatory products, all distinguished by their unique “Made in Italy” designation. They include traditional favorites such as olive oil, prosciutto, pasta, vinegars, cheeses, coffee and wine, plus delicious and innovative chocolates and pastries, liqueurs, ready-to-eat meals, flavored salts, organic honey, jams, beer, juices, preserved vegetables, condiments, truffles, seafood, sauces, and dairy products.
 

Signature workshops, market tours, tasting sessions, and seminars led by industry experts will take place throughout the three days of the show.

The official opening of the Italian pavilion, will be celebrated with a nice glass of Prosecco and followed by pavilion tours and sampling of Italian food on July 10 at 10.45 am at the Information Center ITC Stand 1162-66 and 1063-67.

Schedule of official events:
 

Sunday, July 10, 10:45 AM

Official opening of the Italian pavilion, celebrated with a nice glass of Prosecco and followed by pavilion tours, and sampling of Italian food. Location: Information Center ICE Stand 1162-66 and 1063-67.
 

Monday, July 11, 2:00 PM
Olive Oil Tasting and Workshop. Location: Washington Convention Center - Room # 203B. By invitation only.
 

Monday, July 11, 5:30 PM
“Kosher for Everyone” food workshop and reception. This special presentation focuses on the importance of the kosher certification for Italian food products in the U.S market. Location: Embassy of Italy, 3000 Whitehaven Ave., NW. By invitation only.

(Bus or minivan transportation is provided from the Convention Center).
 

Tuesday, July 12, 8:00 AM
Breakfast Panel for the Media:“Fusion or…Confusion?”. Discussion on the evolution of Italian cuisine and the importance of authentic Italian ingredients for the new generation of American chefs and diners. Thought-provoking conversation led by award-winning food journalist Corby Kummer of The Atlantic with leading chefs on the Washington, DC scene – Mike Isabella of Graffiato and Luigi Diotaiuti of Al Tiramisu -- and author John Mariani (How Italian Food Conquered the World). Location: Darlington House, Library, 1610 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC (Dupont Circle, Connecticut Avenue and 20th Street NW). Transportation will be provided afterward to the Convention Center. By invitation only.
 

The food and wine sector of the Italian Trade Commission in New York provides industry information, produces trade publications, ad organizes tastings, food demonstrations, events, seminars, press trips and trade show pavilions across the United States. For more information please visit www.ItalianMade.com, the official site dedicated to the foods and wines of Italy, or contact The Italian Trade Commission by telephone 212.980.1500; by fax 212.758.1050; or via email: [email protected]