Italian Language Foundation

10/13/2026

As continue celebrating the achievements and influence of Italian Americans throughout the month of October, we are thrilled to highlight one of the members of our ILF Board of Directors, Frank M. Maselli. Frank is the Chairman of the Board of the American Italian Cultural Center in New Orleans, where he was born and raised. The American Italian Cultural Center was founded by Frank’s father.

Frank is the President of Masbro Investment Company, Inc., and a Managing Member of Maselli Properties LLC. An active member of his community, Frank serves on the boards of the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission and Opera Association. He is a board member of the Italian American Museum in New York, and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago. He also acts as an Honorary Consul of Italy in New Orleans!

Thank you Frank, for your leadership in our community and your dedication to the ILF.

10/12/2026

🇮🇹🇺🇸 This Columbus Day, we celebrate the enduring contributions of Italian Americans: the builders, dreamers, and innovators who helped shape the nation we know today.

It is well known that Italian immigrants laid the bricks of New York City’s brownstones and subways. But did you know that thousands of Italian immigrant laborers traveled south and built railroads in North Carolina in the early 20th century?

Historian David Cecelski has written several award-winning books and hundreds of articles about history, culture and politics on the North Carolina coast, and in 2023 he wrote about the history of those Italian immigrants at least on the North Carolina coast. Read the article: https://davidcecelski.com/2023/09/08/the-italian-workers-the-life-and-times-of-the-immigrants-who-built-north-carolinas-railroads/

In 1920 an Italian immigrant named James Torsigno– a railroad construction worker– was unjustly accused of murder in Belhaven, N.C.. His case opened a rare window into the world of the …

10/09/2026

🇮🇹🍷 What do DOC, DOCG, DOP, and IGP really mean?

Italy’s food and w**e are celebrated around the world for their flavor, tradition, and authenticity. But did you know that Italy has certification systems in place to protect the quality and origins of many of its beloved products?

In her latest blog, Francesca Montillo breaks down what each certification means, how they differ, and why they matter to producers and consumers alike. 🇮🇹

Read the blog to learn how to make more informed choices the next time you’re shopping for Italian products, whether in Italy or right here in the US!



https://loom.ly/SVIk_qE

Italy’s food and w**e certifications are more than bureaucratic labels. They are cultural guardians, protecting the relationship between place and flavor.

10/06/2026

As we celebrate Italian heritage and Columbus Day, the ILF praises the contributions of Italian Americans in the US. 🇮🇹

Pictured in this photo are 2025 Giambelli Culinary Award recipients Luisa and John DeCicco Jr. of DeCicco & Sons!

We’re proud to highlight the DeCicco family and its innovative chain of grocery stores. Starting from a small Bronx storefront in 1972, DeCicco has grown into a chain of outstanding supermarkets in Westchester known for superior quality, variety of products, and excellent customer service. In a unique commitment to sustainability, DeCicco uses a CO2-based refrigeration system that’s free of ozone-harming chemicals—one of a handful of U.S. chains to go green with this eco-friendly technology! Bravo, DeCicco! 🌱



DeCicco & Sons Brewster DeCicco & Sons Pelham DeCicco & Sons Eastchester DeCicco & Sons Armonk DeCicco & Sons Somers DeCicco & Sons Ardsley DeCicco & Sons Events and Catering DeCicco & Sons Larchmont DeCicco & Sons Bedford DeCicco & Sons Millwood

10/06/2026

As we celebrate Italian heritage and Columbus Day, the ILF praises the contributions of Italian Americans in the US. 🇮🇹

We’re proud to highlight the DeCicco family and its innovative chain of grocery stores. Starting from a small Bronx storefront in 1972, DeCicco has grown into a chain of outstanding supermarkets in Westchester known for superior quality, variety of products, and excellent customer service. In a unique commitment to sustainability, DeCicco uses a CO2-based refrigeration system that’s free of ozone-harming chemicals—one of a handful of U.S. chains to go green with this eco-friendly technology! Bravo, DeCicco! 🌱

L-R: Joe DeCicco Sr., senior vice chairman; John DeCicco Sr., senior chairman; Joe DeCicco Jr., chief purchasing officer



DeCicco & Sons Brewster DeCicco & Sons Pelham DeCicco & Sons Eastchester DeCicco & Sons Armonk DeCicco & Sons Somers DeCicco & Sons Ardsley DeCicco & Sons Events and Catering DeCicco & Sons Larchmont DeCicco & Sons Bedford DeCicco & Sons Millwood

10/06/2026

Reminder, professors and college students of Italian: Spring 2027 ILF Fellowship Applications are now open! 🇮🇹

Fellowships of up to $1,000 are available on a limited basis to ILF student members attending colleges and universities in the United States who are currently enrolled in an Italian language course. A major or minor concentration in Italian is not required.

📅 Application Opens: September 14, 2026
📅 Application Deadline: November 16, 2026
🎓 Fellowship Recipients Announced: January 18, 2027

📧 Submit completed applications to: [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your applications by November 16, 2026, and wish all applicants the very best!

10/01/2026

🎉 Happy Italian American Heritage Month from the Italian Language Foundation! 🇮🇹🇺🇸

Throughout October, we celebrate the rich history, remarkable achievements, and enduring contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans who have helped shape the United States.

From the arts and sciences to business, politics, education, entertainment, and beyond, Italian Americans have made their mark across generations and communities. This month, we’ll be highlighting some of the musicians, scientists, politicians, artists, educators, and other influential Italian Americans whose accomplishments have helped shape the country we know today.

Join us as we celebrate their stories, honor their legacies, and recognize the many ways Italian heritage continues to enrich American culture. ❤️🤍💚

09/28/2026

🌎 At the ILF, we believe every family has a story worth sharing. This month, as we celebrate Italian American Heritage Month, we’re also celebrating ALL the cultures, traditions, and experiences that make up our communities and inviting you to share your heritage with us.

Whether your family comes from Italy, another country, or ANY combination of cultures, we want to hear your story! Share a personal experience, family tradition, or reflection on your heritage and culture for a chance to be featured on the ILF blog.

Blog guidelines: 250 words or less, with a title, 2-3 relevant photos, and a brief two-sentence bio.
📅 Deadline: October 5
Submit to [email protected] or direct message us for more information!

We look forward to hearing stories from students, teachers, families, and members of our community from around the globe! ❤️🤍💚

09/27/2026

🇮🇹📚 In her latest ILF blog, Francesca Biundo reflects on her experience at an AP Italian Summer Institute and the value of professional development, collaboration, and preparing for the upcoming changes to the 2027 AP Italian exam and curriculum.

Francesca Biundo has 20 years of experience teaching Italian and Spanish at both the K–12 and university levels in the United States and Puerto Rico. Raised in Italy and now living in Puerto Rico, she is fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish. Throughout her career, she has designed language courses and programs that integrate language, culture, and meaningful communication. She enjoys creating engaging learning experiences that inspire students to communicate with confidence while developing linguistic and cultural competence. Her goal is to make language learning meaningful and accessible for every student. Her students have consistently earned strong results on the AP Italian Language and Culture Exam.

Read Francesca’s full reflection on the ILF blog at italianlanguagefoundation.org/BLOG

09/21/2026

As summer begins to loosen its grip and the first hints of autumn appear, a deeply rooted Italian tradition takes center stage: la vendemmia, the grape harvest. 🍇

If you have ever traveled through the Italian countryside in September or October, you may have noticed the change almost immediately. Vineyards that have spent the summer heavy with green leaves and ripening fruit suddenly become places of activity. Tractors appear on narrow country roads. Plastic crates are stacked between the vines. Families, seasonal workers, and vineyard teams move methodically through the rows, clipping bunches of grapes that have been carefully watched for months.

The vendemmia is work—hard work, in fact—but it is also something much more. It is tradition, anticipation, celebration, and a connection to the land that has existed in Italy for centuries. Read Francesca Montillo of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures full article on the vendemmia here: https://loom.ly/cgUg4LM

There are certain moments of the year in Italy that feel less like dates on a calendar and more like rituals. Christmas is one, of course. Easter is another. Ferragosto has its own unmistakable rhythm.