Julie Lapham, Founder and CEO of Popzup, said, “It’s the Branded Program that puts us in front of these people.” With products already on the shelves in some Canadian retail stores, Popzup is projecting repeat orders from this retailer and further growth within the Canadian market. Popzup is using the Branded Program to help with the costs of French-language packaging requirements in Canada, which is essential to continue Canadian retailer relationships.

Popzup Popcorn was founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife duo Julie and Marty Lapham. Together, they created their product line of popcorn and seasonings. Their goal was to focus on health and sustainability; Popzup Popcorn is gluten-free and non-GMO; they are currently working towards B-Corp certification and are always looking for new ways to decrease their carbon footprint, such as having their recycling program.

Popzup LLC dba Popzup Popcorn has actively participated in the Branded Program and other Food Export activities since 2022.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post PopZUp Popcorn Expands Brand Awareness in Canada appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

As a result of participation in Food Export’s Food Show PLUS! services during ANTAD, Herr Foods met with 30 foreign contacts from Latin America.  In addition, Herr Foods’ Cheese Curl barrels can now be found at any City Club store throughout Mexico.  The company also projects $200,000 more in sales over the next twelve months. For ANTAD 2023, Herr’s will be exhibiting with a new appointed distributor.

Mariel Orozco, International Sales Manager with Herr Foods, shared that persistence and patience have paid off.  Mariel added, “We are now looking forward to our investment return.  Importers also want to see that their company/product of interest is committed to the market.”

Food Export’s Food Show PLUS! Service helps U.S. suppliers while attending international trade shows get the most out of their attendance. Services range from pre-show invitations sent to buyers, show floor buyer introductions, marketing briefing seminars, arrangement of interpreters to assist companies on the show floor, retail tours in the international market, and on-site assistance from Food Export’s In-Market Representatives.

On August 8, 2022, Herr Foods participated in another Food Export activity and attended Food Export-Northeast’s Focused Trade Mission to Chile. This event was one of many missions that Herr Foods has attended since they started participating in Food Export programs in 2001 and their third trade mission to Chile since 2016.

During the trade mission, the company met with multiple buyers through pre-arranged meetings and had the opportunity to showcase its line of snack products. Three months after the mission, Herr Foods completed a sale of chips worth $26,000 to Chile. The Pennsylvanian supplier also projects to achieve $100,000 more in sales over the next twelve months.

Mariel Orozco said, “The transaction was fairly easy, as always Food Export’s help is greatly appreciated.” As a result, Herr Foods hopes to grow its audience in Chile and create a diverse profile of products for this audience.

Family-owned and operated since 1946, Herr Foods is a producer of snack foods in the retail sector, exporting to over 40 countries. Herr Foods began as a local Pennsylvania potato chip manufacturer, and they now also produce other snack products such as pretzels, kettle chips, corn chips, popcorn, and cheese curls for worldwide distribution.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Food Show PLUS!™ and Focused Trade Mission Participation Leads to Increased Export Sales appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

With that buyer connection made over two years ago, Meat Mitch has reported $4,000 in export sales to New Zealand, along with projected sales of $10,000 and 1 new earned distributor relationship. These results have helped them continue to establish their products and brand recognition in this market.

Also in 2022, Meat Mitch participated in Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program for the second year to gain brand awareness in Canada. The sauce and spice supplier used their allocated funds to make label modifications which helped the Kansas company gain $10,000 in sales to Canada. They also project to complete over $20,000 in sales in the next twelve months while also gaining 1 new distributorship.

Meat Mitch is a competition winning barbecue team’s unique blend of spices and sauces. Their sauces and spice rubs are used in BBQ competitions throughout the United Sates and the world. The Kansas Company has participated in Food Export programs since 2018 taking advantage of the Branded Program, participating in the Online Product Catalog, Buyers Missions, Export Essentials, and educational webinars to grow their exports.

The Kansas supplier is already registered for the 2023 Branded Program with hopes to continue to grow their export sales in more new international markets!

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Perseverance and Tenacity Pays Off for Kansas Supplier appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

With their participation Castor River Farms received international interest for their high quality, Missouri grown long-grain rice and with their allocated Branded Program funds, they were able to pursue activities that led them to meet new international buyers. The Missouri company also reported gaining $138,548 in new export sales and project to complete $250,000 in sales over the next twelve months.

Castor River Farms is a family-owned and operated farm in Southeast Missouri’s Delta Region with a focus on nurturing rich, healthy soil to produce rich, healthy crops year after year. They are dedicated to freshness, sustainability and quality products that are nutritious, great tasting and anything-but-ordinary. Each bag of rice is packed with care to ensure that only the best makes it to your table.

The Missouri supplier has participated in the Market Access Program funded Food Export-Midwest Branded Program since 2019. They have also attended Buyers Missions, webinars, and participate in the Online Product Catalog.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Branded Program Funding Expands Exports for Missouri Supplier appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

In 2021 RIBUS participated in the program to expand exports of their food ingredient and supplement products to Switzerland and Germany. They used their allocated funds to exhibit at foreign trade shows, ship product samples to potential buyers, make label/package modifications, and create international websites. These efforts helped the company earn over $558,000 in sales to Switzerland and over $179,000 in sales to Germany. They also gained 55 new foreign buyer contacts in these markets and project to complete another $300,000 in sales to the markets over the next twelve months. Sales would typically exceed $1M in Europe as a whole, but unfortunately the Missouri supplier was navigating regulatory changes and new requirements from EFSA, which has put much of Europe’s sales on hold.

The next year Ribus was able to see growth for the exports to Europe. They used funding from the Branded Program to regain their market share by attending foreign, ingredient-based trade shows. These efforts helped the company gain over $1.1M to France, Switzerland, and Germany. They also gained 195 new foreign buyer contacts and establish 2 new agent relationships.

Founded in 1992 as a functional ingredient manufacturing company, RIBUS supplies natural and organic rice ingredients to food, beverage, dietary supplement, and pet companies around the world. The foundation of their business is to provide clean label alternatives that can help solve production issues and bring innovation to client’s products. By utilizing the “by-products” from rice manufacturing, RIBUS, through patented processes, is able to create natural or certified organic, gluten-free, hypo-allergenic ingredients that give producers the necessary functionality similar to mono- and diglycerides, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and other synthetic ingredients.

The Missouri supplier has participated in the Market Access Program funded Branded Program since 1998 and participates in Food Export webinars, Market Builder services, and the Online Product Catalog.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Twenty-Four Year Branded Program Participant Still Finding Export Growth appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

The Iowa supplier achieved actual sales of over $1,847,000, a 68% increase in sales. With the Branded Program elimination of the five-year graduation of MAP funding usage, JOLLY TIME^® can now support the agent’s promotional efforts. Sales are now growing domestically as well as internationally. American Pop Corn Company can now invest $3,000,000 in new packing equipment to support the growing demand.

American Pop Corn Company located in Sioux City, Iowa’s 4^th Congressional District, has participated in Food Export’s programs and services since 1997.

American Pop Corn Co., makers of JOLLY TIME^® Pop Corn, is a 107-year-old fourth and fifth-generation, family-owned company with a variety of retail microwave popcorn products including BlastOButter, KettleMania, Mallow Magic, Crispy’n White and the Big Cheez. JOLLY TIME yellow and white Pop Corn products are also sold in reseal able poly bags, canisters, and jars.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Market Access Program Funding Helps Iowa Supplier Expand Exports to Qatar appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

Bristol Seafood, LLC is a processor of sea scallops and frozen ready to cook seafood. Bristol is committed to sustainable business practices and is the first Fair Trade certified seafood company in the United States. Also, the company is certified to the MSC’s chain of custody standard and operates an SQF certified processing plant. Bristol is also a certified B Corp^TM, a global movement certifying businesses who are using business as a force for good, leaders for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.

Bristol Seafood, LLC has taken part in Food Export programs since 2018 participating in Export Essentials Online, webinars, Market Builder, the Branded Program, Online Product Catalog, and has attended Buyers Missions, Focused Trade Missions, and Food Show PLUS! events.

Food Export uses funding from the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) and the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports and help small, American run and owned businesses succeed.

The post Multiple Food Export Programs Help Seafood Company Increase Exports appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

In 2022, Little Bay Lobster Co. participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program after not taking part in the program since 2015. The New Hampshire supplier used their allocated funding to market their products in Singapore to establish new accounts. Their funding from the Branded Program helped defer the costs associated with exhibiting at the Seafood Expo Asia Show in September and to produce promotional giveaway items to create brand awareness.

This past December Little Bay Lobster Co. was able to report gaining over $300,000 in sales while also gaining 33 new foreign buyer contacts and establishing 2 new distributor relationships. The company also projects to complete over $1.5M more in sales over the next twelve months.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Past Participant Returns to Food Export’s Branded Program appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

The Minnesota supplier continued to focus expanding their market share to China in 2022. The company used Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program again to promote their ice cream novelty products by shipping samples to potential buyers in the country. These efforts helped them gain a significant increase in sales to China and they have already applied for Branded Program funding for 2023 to continue to expand their market share.

JonnyPops was founded in a St. Olaf College dorm room and sold its first pops at Twin Cities farmers’ markets and local cafes in 2012. Today, JonnyPops employs 80 people, and their products are sold in major retailers across 50 states and now internationally. On a mission to create a Better Pop for a Better world, JonnyPops are made with simple ingredients and each stick includes an inspiring message, a hallmark of the brand, reflecting the values of the company by placing kindness at the center of every pop.

Since 2016 JonnyPops has participated in Food Export’s Market Access Program (MAP) funded Branded Program, they have been featured in the U.S. FoodLink Featured Products section, attended Buyers Missions, Focused Trade Missions, and has products listed in the Online Product Catalog.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.

The post Natural Frozen Novelty Company Exports to China for First Time appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.