Ahold Delhaize’s Retail Business Services, COOP Italia bring a taste of Italy to the U.S.

Retail Business Services, the Salisbury, N.C.-based services company of Ahold Delhaize USA, has teamed with Bologna, Italy-based supermarket cooperative COOP Italia to make fiorfiore brand products ― a private brand line exclusive to COOP Italia ― available to five of Ahold Delhaize USA’s store banners: Food Lion, Giant Food, Giant/Martin’s, Stop & Shop and Peapod will carry the products, which include appetizers like olives and bruschetta, oils and dressings, pasta, pasta sauce, pastries and snack products, according to a press release.

“We are excited to make these items available to the local brands and offer consumers the opportunity to experience authentic Italian cuisine at private brand value,” said Juan De Paoli, senior vice president of private brands for Retail Business Services. “This is a versatile product line that offers a gourmet, balanced selection of both kitchen staples and indulgent treats and snacks.”

Available this fall for a limited time, the fiorfiore line “leverages ongoing consumer interest in Italian cuisine,” the press release added, noting a study by statista.com that found more than 60 percent of U.S. consumers ages 18 to 64 claim to “indulge in Italian cuisine at least once a month.”