The Parmigiano Reggiano PDO Consortium recently joined the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) gala in Washington, D.C., underscoring calls for deeper Italy-U.S. ties amid growing geopolitical and trade challenges. Representing the interests of over 20 million Italian-Americans, the NIAF event drew around 1,000 guests, including prominent figures from politics, finance, and culture.

Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Consortium, led the delegation and met with Italy’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mariangela Zappia, and NIAF President Robert Allegrini. With the U.S. as Parmigiano Reggiano’s largest foreign market—14,000 tons were exported in 2023 alone, a 7.7% increase over the previous year—the Consortium is investing in an expanded American presence, opening a dedicated U.S. office on its 90th anniversary last July.