The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium has signed a landmark agreement with Whole Foods Market to increase the presence of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO in the retailer’s more than 500 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The agreement represents a bold step forward by the Consortium to increase its presence within the American market, the second-largest importer of Parmigiano Reggiano in the world (after France). By partnering with Whole Foods Market, Parmigiano Reggiano will gain increased distribution in the U.S. across the grocer’s 487 stores in the country.