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.

Branded Program

Double Your International Marketing Budget

With the Branded Program, you may be eligible for 50% reimbursement on:

• Promotions and product demonstrations
• Advertising
• Select international travel costs
• Marketing and point-of-sale materials
• Foreign market compliant packaging/labeling
• And much more!

Learn More about the Branded Program

The post Focused Trade Mission to Canada for Retail and Foodservice 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.

Through their attendance and meetings, El Popular created a broker relationship that has led to several new distributor relationships. El Popular has made over $100,000 in sales and is expected to double this within the next year due to success at this Focused Trade Mission.

This minority, family-owned; Nationally Certified Minority company creates high quality Mexican food products. The Garza family has almost 100 years of experience in making authentic Mexican food and ingredients.  El Popular is the oldest Mexican owned business in the United States. Other products that El Popular produces besides chorizo are chocolate, spices, mole paste & powder, and traditional longaniza.

El Popular has been a Food Export-Midwest participant since 2018. They have taken part in the Online Product Catalog, Export Essentials, Market Builder and attended the Midwest Buyers Mission.

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 Minority, Family-Owned Indiana Company Benefits from Focused Trade Mission to Canada appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

This past February Aquamar was able to report earning over $700,000 in sales with these marketing efforts while also projecting to complete over $1.3M more in sales over the next twelve months. They also gained 14 new foreign buyer contacts and established 6 new agent relationships. This is a 77% increase in growth from their sales from using the Branded Program in 2021.

Aquamar is a supplier of surimi seafood products. They specialize in varieties such as sticks, flakes, chunks, and shreds. They produce the “highest quality and sustainable surimi products in styles that met the needs of food service, retailers, value-added processors, and consumers.”

They joined Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program in 2019. Since they started working with Food Export, they have also participated in various other Food Export programs and activities including webinars, 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 Sustainable Seafood Products Gain Export Sales to Multiple Markets appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

As a result of using Food Export’s Market Access Program (MAP) funded Branded Program for marketing during eligible domestic trade shows, Lakeview Farms now has 2 agents, and 3 new customers in Canada. Food Export assists many suppliers like Lakeview Farms to develop effective marketing strategies and facilitate the interactions with foreign buyers that are necessary for export success.

Since 1988 Lakeview Farms has been making high-quality retail ready-to-eat food products. With 34 years of experience, Lakeview Farms is dedicated to making high-quality up Midwest-made foods.

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 Ohio’s Lakeview Farms Finds Export Success appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

In 2021, Valley Popcorn Company used Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program to gain brand awareness in Canada. Using their allocated funds to gain distribution in retailers and complete targeted promotions and activities helped the Neenah, Wisconsin-based supplier gain $7,000 in sales to Canada. They also project to complete over $85,000 in sales in the next twelve months while also gaining 7 new foreign buyer contacts and establishing 1 distributorship.

Valley Popcorn Company is the producer of ready to eat  popcorn utilizing a tender white American-grown popcorn kernel and no artificial ingredients. Established in 1992 by Carl & Carol Freundl, the company finds the best seed, grown by Americans, and deliver directly from the farm to their facility in Wisconsin.

Valley Popcorn Company has participated in Food Export programs since 2021 taking advantage of the Branded Program, the Online Product Catalog, seminars, and has attended multiple Buyers Missions.

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 Export-Midwest Helps Valley Popcorn Experience Popping Success appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

With a distributor already established the company worked on increasing their exposure through that connection by making label/package modifications to adapt to the multi-lingual consumer. The Branded Program helped Cooper Street Cookies defer the expense of these modifications with a 50% cost reimbursement and to ultimately gain $10,800 in new export sales to Canada for their ready-to-eat [delicious!] cookies. The company also projects to complete $40,000 more in sales over the next twelve months.

New to working with Food Export-Midwest in 2021, the Michigan-based supplier also participates in the Online Product Catalog. Cooper Street Cookies has already applied to participate in the Program again this year and we look forward to hearing of more success!

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 Sweet Export Sales for Michigan Supplier appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.

In the fall of 2020, Acme Organics LLC dba Triple Crown Organic BBQ Sauce participated in Food Export-Midwest’s Virtual Trade Mission to Canada. After meeting one-on-one with Canadian buyers in a virtual format interest from buyers was gained. This February the Minnesota supplier was able to report earning $8,500 with a first-time sale to the market while also projecting to complete $25,500 more in sales over the next twelve months.

Acme Organics LLC dba Triple Crown Organic BBQ Sauce has participated in Food Export programs since 2014 taking advantage of the Branded Program, attending Virtual Trade Missions, Buyers Missions, and webinars. The Minnesota company currently exports to Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

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 Virtual Trade Mission Increases Export Sales for Minnesota Supplier appeared first on Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.