At Summer Fancy Food Show, Calabria to showcase specialty foods and wines from thirteen companies

June 12, 2012 ~ Calabria, the region at the tip of the Italian bootshaped peninsula, is coming in full force at the 58th edition of the Summer Fancy Food Show to be held in Washington DC on June 17-19, 2012.

Thirteen companies under the umbrella of two regional government organizations are slated to show typical foods and wines as diverse as the areas they are coming from: wines from Crotone, liqueurs from Vibo Valentia, chocolate with figs from Cosenza, as well as pasta, extra virgin olive oil, baked goods and other delicacies.

In the midst of a global crisis, Calabria's economy is on the upswing. To give just an example, the olive oil production is up 56%.

Calabria is the fourth Italian region as far as the protected denominations are concerned. Cheese, meats, wine, vegetables, fruits and olive oil are the most significant products of protected origin with a total of 36 such denominations.

The region protects not only its own products but its future as well: organic agriculture is an important component in Calabrians' lives. Food and wine is the most important segment of the Calabrian trade balance. They represent an impressive 36% of all the region's exports. The most important receiving markets for Calabrian food products and wines are as close as Europe and as far away as Japan.

The Region of Calabria is coming to the Summer Fancy Food Show prepared to convince
America that it, too, can become a major outlet for its wonderful goods. The regional
government representatives, Dr. Massimiliano Trematerra and Dr. Luigi Fedele will be on hand to answer press questions.

The Calabrian foods and wines will be available for tasting every day at booths 1459-1546 in the Italian exhibition area on the lower level, Halls A-C of the Walter Washington Convention Center.

##