As a result of the pandemic environment and in order to maximize exposure the event was conducted in-person and as a live-broadcast online. The main purpose was to increase the awareness among the trade of the vast opportunities to work with smaller and medium size value-added process food companies.

The program included a session on how Food Export programs and services can help the trade connect with qualified U.S. suppliers as well as how they can effectively work with U.S. suppliers utilizing the Branded Program for marketing purposes. A second session included a “2020 Top 10 Food Trends” and lastly a session in “Post-Pandemic Taiwan Market Changes”.

Attendees were welcomed by Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast Executive Director, Tim Hamilton and Agricultural Trade Office Director, Emily Scott.  Over 40 people attended the event in-person and over 140 participated on-line. Other attendees were very eager to gain information on available U.S. products for importing and the seminar generated 8 trade leads for Food Export. The event also has helped to keep a substantial and robust relationship with the trade during these times when it is challenging to have any other business-related events.

With funding and support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), Food Export has been instrumental in supporting the export of U.S. agriculture products for 50 years. Focusing on market development services, Food Export programs have opened markets for Midwest and Northeast Supplier’s products around the globe.

This free educational opportunity was made possible by the USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) Program which was set in place in early 2019 to help mitigate the damage caused by retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products.

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 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.