The following are a number of Italian news articles translated by my Italian friends.
It should be noted that “Italian Ice Cream” is what North Americans call GELATO
Palermo, July 23 - Catania's Belpasso food processing plant has signed a contract with US distributor Kroger to produce an initial 2.5 million tubs of 'authentic' Sicilian ice cream for sale on the American market, it emerged on Thursday.
The ice cream, which is to be marketed under the Italian name 'gelato', will be produced in six flavors: pistachio, hazelnut, stracciatella, chocolate, lemon and cappuccino (created ad hoc for American consumers).
Other flavours including white chocolate, vanilla and banana are due to be added from next year.
Belpasso is owned by Sicilian Sun Corporation of the American holding company Firma, which aims to turn the plant into a manufacturing hub for traditional Sicilian products destined for the American market.
"Food is life," said Kroger vice president Gil Phipps.
"We are interested in genuine foods, in fresh and artisanal products, and this is why we have invested in Sicily, where we think this potential exists," he continued.
"We have begun with ice cream, but we are also interested in other products such as bread, pasta and sauces. Throughout America, there is demand for things that are authentic, which will be the future of the planet," Phipps concluded.
The high-end ice cream Kroger will be strictly made in Sicily. The American giant food distribution, which has annual sales of $ 108 billion, 3,600 points of sale and about 8 million consumers a day has signed an agreement with the Sicilian Sun Corporation, owner of plant Belpasso (CT), to produce a range of own-brand ice cream made with milk and fresh local produce.
"We are interested in natural foods, fresh products and handicrafts - says Kroger vice president Gil Phipps -, which is why we invested in Sicily where we think there is a great potential. We started from the ice cream, but we are also interested in other products such as bread, pasta and sauces. Throughout the nation, there is a growing interest in authentic products.
"Right now, the United States, sales of ice cream are growing briskly," - added David Barefoot there are companies that started five years ago to produce ice cream from a turnover of $ 1 million a year and now have gone to 50 million in revenue. The ice cream that is produced in Belpasso, however, is far better because. We organized an independent focus group with 120 people who tasted six types of ice cream: from American, Argentinean, Italian and 99% chose our products. "
A prior knowledge of the Sicilian Sun and Kroger in Italian territory is which took place thanks to the first supply agreements signed last month: 2 and a half million trays, tastes of pistachio, hazelnut, stracciatella, chocolate, lemon and cappuccino, the latter created ad hoc by the corporation for the American market.
CATANIA - There is no doubt that the Sicilian cuisine is among the most popular in the world. And, at this time, one of the most popular foods is the ice cream. That's why some people are interested in making this product one of the strengths in foreign markets.
The sun Sicilian corporation, part of the FRMA company has reached an agreement with the company Kroger for export of frozen Gelato, especially in the United States. The American giant, in fact, has sales of $ 108 billion, about 8 million consumers a day and 3,600 outlets.
"Following an analysis - says the Sicilian Sun corporation’s, David Barefoot - we noticed that the Italian ice cream is the most welcome of all. So we decided to focus on this product, because genuine craftsmanship and why. In many produce "ice cream" and they have grown their sales and turnover. But the product made here in Belper is unmatched. "
The project, however, does not stop here. For the future, in fact, there is the idea of, also, bringing to America gastronomy, pasta, bread and many other things typical Sicilian. Enthusiastic vice president of Kroger, Gil Phipps: "We have invested in Sicily because we believe we can have healthy food and fresh. In America there is a continuous search of the authentic things. And this will be the future of the world. "
The executive of Kroger, composed of the vice president Gil Phipps and Brad Studer, concluded yesterday, an economic mission of 4 days in Sicily between Catania and Taormina, with camera crew in tow, to launch ice cream made in Sicily through Clips for TV spots-
At the moment, the agreement provides for the export of 4 million trays for 2016 in comparison to 2.5 million this year.
"In planning for 2016 Kroger - explained Fabio Marenghi, project manager of the Sicilian sun - introduced new ice cream flavors such as white chocolate, vanilla, banana increasing from six to twelve different flavors that have made it possible to double the orders of trays in the next year. Besides the ice cream is a food global in cold countries like Sweden, Germany and even the United States, enjoying all year. From these meetings, we also understood - continues Marenghi - which in addition to ice cream interest of Kroger is oriented towards quality Italian food: pasta dishes ready, finger foods, sauces, side dishes, snacks, thanks to special measures, also if frozen, they do not lose their freshness and taste. "
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