Italian Language Foundation

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.

09/15/2026

🇮🇹✨ What if your Italian skills could open doors in your career?

For ILF Fellowship recipient Spencer Deilier, they did! 👏 While interning in engineering this summer, Spencer discovered an unexpected connection to Italy: his company was part of IMA (Industriale Meccaniche Automatiche), an Italian company with operations around the world.

His Italian studies gave him the chance to connect with colleagues, practice speaking outside the classroom, and build confidence using Italian in a professional setting. 🇮🇹💼

We’re proud to support students like Spencer who are putting Italian to work in the classroom, in their careers, and beyond! ❤️🤍💚

Read Spencer’s full story on the ILF blog at www.ilf.org!

09/14/2026

🇮🇹 Spring 2027 ILF Fellowship Applications Open TODAY!

Attenzione, Italian teachers and students! As the Fall 2026 semester begins, the Italian Language Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of applications for its Spring 2027 Fellowship Program.

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

Important Information for Applicants

Fellowships are available on a limited basis and are open 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.

Please carefully review all application requirements and eligibility criteria on the ILF homepage before submitting your application.

A complete application must be submitted in one email with all required documents attached. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.

Please note: As outlined in the fellowship criteria, the professor of the student applying must be a current member of the Italian Language Foundation. Links to both teacher and student membership are available on the ILF homepage.

📧 Submit completed applications to: [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your applications beginning September 14, 2026, and wish all applicants the very best!

09/13/2026

From September 17-27, NYC's Little Italy will celebrate the 100th annual Feast of San Gennaro, an 11-day Italian-American tradition honoring the patron saint of Naples.

What began in 1926 as a one-day block party organized by Neapolitan immigrants has grown into one of New York’s most beloved celebrations, filled with live music, street entertainment, religious traditions, and, of course, plenty of Italian food. 🌭🍕🍰 Don’t miss the Grand Procession on September 26, featuring marching bands, floats, and the traditional statue of San Gennaro.

Are you attending this year? 📸 Share your photos or videos with us, or submit a blog about your experience to [email protected]. We’d love to feature your celebration!