We are happy to share the latest article on ByItaly of L’Italo-Americano – the great West Coast Newspaper covering Italian news, culture and food in English and Italian:

Here is the English translation:

From Perugia to the world:  Products “Made in Italy” at your doorstep

Barbara Minafra

The base is Perugia, in the green heart of Umbria. From here everyday thousands of parcels take off for the world ornated with an Italian identity card. A resource for all those who are looking for the flavors from home even if they are on the other side of the globe; but also a guarantee for quality, controlled at the origin for those who want to eat real Italian food and not just “Italian sounding”.

Born in 2012 thanks to the idea of a group of friends www.ByItaly.com is now an online market which delivers authentic Italian food, Olive Oil (there is also the possibility to adopt your own olive tree and get your own Extra Vergine Olive Oil delivered to your home) and national wine, products of small certified farmers and producers, on the table of the five continents.

Pasta, preserves, pickles, spices, sauces, legumes, honey, torrone, chocolate, marmalade, cookies, but also Balsamico vinegar from Modena, grappa, limoncello, artisan beers, amaro, liqueurs and distillates.

All products , strictly Italian and packed by a hundred small suppliers selected around the entire peninsula, are shipped to the clients at whatever latitude or geographical distance. Artisan flavors and regional specialties, impossible to find in supermarkets abroad.

But not everything arrives on the virtual window case created by Giovanni Belia, Michele Torggler, Daniele Fantigrossi and Leonardo Papini, representing the CEO, chef, IT and creative heart of the group.

To protect customers and the quality of the product, there is the supervision and the experience of Anna Mancinelli, 80 years old, experienced cook and the nonna (granny) of one of the founders. “We have to learn from the elder and to listen to them. They know the tradition and the real Italian flavors” says Giovanni Belia, CEO of ByItaly who answers the questions of L’Italo-Americano :

How was your project born which combines commercial innovation and the tradition of the products?

The idea was born talking among a group of friends. We wanted to do something in our country for our country. Living abroad we had seen how difficult it is to get real Italian food which is not the one of the big supermarkets. At the same time we wanted to help small producers to reach foreign markets.
But we also wanted to offer our customers the judgement of a real expert of Italian cooking. And we found this thanks to the nonna of our co-founder Leonardo Papini. Nonna Anna has tried all our products….except the alcohol.

Is the e-commerce the true resource for the distribution of products made in Italy and for the future of the authentic Italian food producers ?

Yes, we are convinced this is right. Especially for small producers who don’t have the quantities requested by the supermarket chains, this is the only way to reach the international markets. It’s not enough to have your own online shop. You also have to be visible in the internet and this isn’t always easy. The small ones, on their own, often don’t make it. This is why our suppliers appreciate ByItaly: we offer them a great window case in the internet.

What does “Made in Italy” mean to you ?

“Made in Italy” stands for a product of the highest quality which only the Italians know how to do with their know-how and with Italian ingredients. Luckily in Italy there are still many producers that don’t use imported ingredients at lower more competitive prices, but less certified. The food which they produce has its roots in this special geographical place and if you produced it somewhere else it wouldn ‘t have the same flavor. Obviously you have to pay a higher price for this. But it’s definitely worth it.

What does the US market represent to you ?

The US is our biggest and most important market. Our clients in the US are mostly Italo-Americans who are looking for the flavors of their grandparents. We also have many Americans who have adopted an olive tree in Italy on adopt.byitaly.com to get their own Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The cost is 180 Euro a year. Like with a long distance adoption the “adoptive parents” get a picture of their tree and an adoption certificate and they can also come and visit their tree. After the olive harvest 6 bottles of their olive oil will be shipped to their home with no extra fee all over the world.

With adopt an olive tree which is at its second year now, you also help the farmers giving them some financial certainty since you reserve and pay your “green gold” one year in advance.

ByItaly has recently signed a contract with the National Italian American Foundation. What is this about and who does it refer to ?

The agreement with Niaf of which we are very proud, offers special discounts to the members of Niaf. We also share communications on our social media and websites. At the end of the year we will also give a small contribution to the foundation. !any of our American clients are Italo-Americans who are looking for the flavors of Italy.