Media Advisory - Pizza Nova granted exclusive rights to serve I.G.P product never before enjoyed outside of Italy

Pizza Nova reveals the Focaccia Barese™ I.G.P (Protected Geographical Indication)

TORONTO, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Before there was pizza...there was Focaccia. After months of travelling back and forth from Bari, Italy to Toronto, coupled with extensive training and approval by the Bari Consortium, Pizza Nova has been granted the exclusive rights to serve to Canadians, the protected Focaccia Barese™.

Focaccia Barese™, pronounced "fo'kkat-cha ba'ree-zeh" is an oven -baked Italian bread that is related to pizza, but definitely not considered the same. Focaccia Barese™ is the particular type of Focaccia made famous by the people of Bari in the 1800's, it is an honoured and protected recipe that accounts for precise ingredients of specific quality and traditional method of preparation.

Focaccia Barese™ is an I.G.P product, which stands for Protected Geographical Indication and is a legal framework defined in European Union law to protect regional foods. Just like D.O.P, Protected Geographical Indication protects the reputation of regional foods, promotes rural agricultural activity, eliminates unfair competition, and eliminates the misleading of consumers by non-genuine products that may be of inferior quality or of a different flavour.

"Pizza Nova sincerely thanks the Consorzio Focaccia Barese for having granted Pizza Nova the honour, privilege and legal rights to prepare Focaccia Barese™ here in Canada for our customers", says Domenic Primucci, President of Pizza Nova. Along with this honour undoubtedly comes Pizza Nova's commitment to carrying on the tradition of this protected recipe, a process that begins with acquiring the specific ingredients used to make this product just as it would be made in Bari, Italy namely Pachino- style Tomatoes, Oven Roasted Black Olives, and 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, rich in Omega 3's, imported from Bari. "The trees that grow the olives to produce this incredible olive oil are surrounded by fruit trees and artichokes that contribute to the richness of the soil and to the aromas of the olive oil itself." adds Primucci.

This product launch is in line with Pizza Nova's respect of the company's Italian traditions and was revealed yesterday at a Press Conference held at Toronto's historic Wychwood Barns where member of the Barese Consortium were present. The Focaccia Barese is today available to all Pizza Nova customers. Buon Appetito!

About Pizza Nova

Founded in 1963, Toronto-based Pizza Nova is a family-operated business with over 125 locations in Southern Ontario.  Lauded for their community work, they specialize in fresh toppings, serving over 4 million pizzas annually, and offer a wide range of menu items including salads, lasagna, panzerotti, Veal & Porchetta sandwiches, their famous BBQ Back Ribs and now the Focaccia Barese™. Pizza Nova locations offer delivery, pickup, online ordering and some sit-down service.  Visit www.pizzanova.com

Stephanie Angelone
VP Sales & Marketing
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[email protected]