Italian food is the most popular international cuisine in the U.S. This summer, Italy will bring its best in classic specialty food and on-trend new products from all regions of the country to the Summer Fancy Food Show.

This marks the first time the show organizer, the Specialty Food Association, has engaged a partner country sponsor for the event, the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty food and beverages in North America. The show runs June 28 – 30, 2015, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Italy has long been the largest international exhibitor at the event, which was first held in 1955. This summer the exhibit halls will be filled with more than 325 companies from across Italy, with specialties from virtually every region. In all, some 50 countries exhibiting at the show will present their best foods to buyers from top names in retailing and restaurants in the U.S. and abroad.

"We welcome Italy as our partner country sponsor," says Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food Association. "Italian food virtually defines the craft, care, and joy food artisans bring to their work producing top-quality products."

"We are very proud to be the first partner country for the Summer Fancy Food Show. We consider it a prestigious recognition of all the efforts that Italian food producers put into their products, and the quality and excellence of the food they are bringing to the global marketplace," says Donato Cinelli, president of Universal Marketing, organizer of the Fancy Food Show's Italian Pavilion.

The Summer Fancy Food Show is a trade-only event. Registration is now open for the 2015 show at fancyfoodshows.com. The pre-show discount registration price for buyers is $35 through May 15 for all three days of the show.