The meetings aimed to establish business relationships, resulting in sales and distributorships. One such success was a business relationship established between Chicago-based City Foods dba Bea’s Best and the buyer from Saudi Arabia. City Foods, founded in 1939 by Eugene Kohn and currently led by his son Kenneth, totals more than $34 million in yearly sales and continues to grow; its union employees now produce approximately 500,000 pounds a week of fresh, top-quality products sold at retailers and wholesalers all over the country as well as in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Central, and South America and the Middle East. The company sells a wide range of meat products under Bea’s Best brand, including raw, cooked, fresh, and salted, and works with domestic and international customers to develop their private label lines.

City Foods has regularly participated in Food Export’s Buyers Missions and other activities since 2009. According to Scott Weiss, Sales Director, the buyer from Saudi Arabia was an ideal candidate to help the company expand its sales in the Middle East region. The Saudi company is a medium-sized importer and distributor, with 70% of its imports directed to the food service and manufacturing sectors and 30% to the retail industry. The company has made one container-load shipment of Halal Breakfast Beef with commitments for two more containers. According to Scott, “Success was the result of our ability to work closely with our customers to define their specific requirements and then to execute on those requirements, as well as work through their private label development. We anticipate ongoing business with this buyer. As for the future, Bea’s Best will continue to use Food Export programs to identify new customers in key international markets.”

Above: Photo of Scott Weiss, Sales Director, City Foods dba Bea’s Best at Food Export’s Midwest Buyers Mission in Chicago.

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.

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This woman-owned company was referred to Food Export-Midwest by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in 2021 for assistance in expanding its products internationally. BNutty started participating in Food Export’s Branded Program to defer costs associated with marketing their products internationally. The program helped the small company double its marketing budget with 50% reimbursement on expenses incurred with social media advertising in foreign markets, attending international trade shows, shipping product samples to potential buyers, and producing promotional marketing materials.   

In 2022, BNutty Gourmet Peanut Butter participated in Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program, intending to expand its product market share in Saudi Arabia, Japan, France, Germany, Singapore, and the Philippines. This past February, the Portage, Indiana supplier reported that with participation in the Market Access Program (MAP) funded Branded Program, they completed impactful sales to Saudi Arabia last year and project to complete double that over the next twelve months. Most notably, this sale marks a first-time export sale to the market for BNutty.  

BNutty Co-Founder Carol Podolak shared, “Food Export has been a critical partner for BNutty – they make it possible for us to succeed overseas and grow our business back home. Their ability to provide technical expertise, sales opportunities, and marketing dollars on a cost-effective basis helps a company of our size stay competitive in challenging markets abroad. Groups like Food Export are important public investments allowing our businesses to exceed our goals.” 

BNutty is a gourmet peanut butter company, minority/woman-owned and operated. The company was founded by two self-professed soccer moms in Northwest Indiana who wanted to raise funds for youth soccer programs. Since 2014, they have added 74 jobs, expanded from a home kitchen to a 48,000-square-foot facility, and are happy to share that Food Export has helped them grow into 13 countries. They utilize Food Export’s educational services, matchmaking platforms, and leverage the marketing dollars in our cost-share program. BNutty Gourmet Peanut Butter has been part of the Branded Program for two years and has already applied for 2023 funding. 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

After receiving interested in Pretzel Pete products in 2021, Mr. Brown continued dialogue and correspondence with the buyer and, throughout 2022, sent six containers of pretzel balls to South Korea, at a total of $575,937.

According to Mr. Brown, “We were thrilled to receive this new business in Korea. This business has continued beyond the initial order of six containers and has proven to be steady ongoing business that has been most welcome in these otherwise uncertain times.”

Pretzel Pete, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of gourmet pretzel products in the specialty and gourmet retail segments. While previously under a different company name, this Hatboro, Pennsylvania supplier has participated in Food Export programs since 1999 taking advantage of the Branded Program, In-Store Promotion events, Buyers Missions, 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 Pretzels Bound for South Korea appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

According to Pablo Cordova, Vice-President for International Sales and Marketing at Rosina Foods, “Food Export’s Mission was a great event! We met various retail and food service leads.  We were introduced to a major food service distributor during the mission, and they have since become a current client.”

Rosina is a family-owned business founded in 1963. They manufacture frozen specialty food products such as Italian entrées, filled pasta, and meatball products. Rosina is also an ingredient in many other food manufacturers’ products such as soup, pizza, lasagna, and more. Retail sales represent 60% of the business with Rosina products selling in 97 of the top 100 retail chains in the U.S. The other 40% of Rosina’s business is in food service selling to all top distributors and national accounts. Products are sold in U.S., Puerto Rico and Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Caymans, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominic Republic, El Salvador, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Guam, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Croix, St. Marten, St. Tomas, Trinidad Tobago, US Virgin Islands.

Rosina has been participating in Food Export programs since 2014 taking part in the Branded Program, webinars, Buyers Missions, Market Builder for the Caribbean, Central and South America, Food Show PLUS!, the Online Product Catalog, and Focused Trade Missions.

Many of the buyer relationships this New York supplier has gained through participating in the Branded Program for eight years has helped to grow the Rosina brand and products internationally.

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 Buffalo, New York Supplier Expands their Retail Market Share in Panama 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.

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