Participating in Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program has helped Meat Mitch, from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, gain new exports for their barbecue spices and sauces. In 2020 the Market Access Program (MAP) funded program helped them increase exports to New Zealand. Using their allocated funding to attend the international event Meatstock helped the supplier increase brand awareness while also deferring costs associated with exhibiting at a major trade show.
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.
