Food Export - Midwest & Food Export - Northeast Bringing the Foods of Northeast and Midwest to the World

Our Mission Food Export Association of the Midwest U.S.A and Food Export USA-Northeast are non-profit organizations that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern and Northeastern food and agriculture products.

Participant in FAS Partner with Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Promotional activities under FAS programs are carried out by Food Export – Midwest and Food Export - Northeast, other state regional trade groups, agricultural trade associations, and cooperative groups Plans, manages, and contributes staff resources and funds to execute projects and activities Market Access Program (MAP) Funding

State Regional Trade Groups

Food Export - Midwest Members Illinois Department of Agriculture Indiana Department of Agriculture Iowa Department of Economic Development Kansas Department of Commerce Michigan Department of Agriculture Minnesota Department of Agriculture Missouri Department of Agriculture Nebraska Department of Agriculture North Dakota Department of Agriculture Ohio Department of Agriculture South Dakota Department of Agriculture Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Food Export – Northeast Members Connecticut Department of Agriculture Delaware Department of Agriculture Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food New Jersey Department of Agriculture New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Strategic Alliance Alliance began April 1, 2000 One Executive Director for both groups We have seen many benefits

Products Focus on products that are value-added, consumer-oriented Branded food products –Snack Food –Convenience Food –Natural Products –Specialty Foods –Private Label Food Ingredients Foodservice Products Feed Ingredients Other Value-Added Agricultural Products Seafood

Programs and Services

- Exporter Education - Market Entry - Market Promotion Programs & Services Provide export services to small, value-added companies

Outreach & Exporter Education Newsletters - Global Food Marketer - US Foodlink Web Sites - and Educational Seminars and Workshops - Other seminars and workshops Food Export Helpline SM - Export Essentials Online

Food Export Helpline Provides customized, one-on-one assistance to suppliers Short-term or long-term support Industry expert provides assistance

Food Export Helpline Provides assistance on a variety of topics - export readiness - NAFTA rules and regulations - top 25 markets - secondary market research - trade event preparation - documentation and correspondence - payment and collections - and many more Participation agreement is needed

Market Entry Market Builder - Market Scan - Rep Finder Food Show PLUS! SM Buyers Missions Trade Missions Online Product Catalog

In-Market Representatives Food Export-Midwest China Hong Kong India Japan Korea Mercosur Mexico Southeast Asia Taiwan Vietnam Food Export-Northeast Caribbean Central America France Germany United Kingdom Middle East Seafood Industry Canada

Market Promotion In-Store Promotions Branded Program

In-Store Promotions Feature Midwestern products in promotional displays - supermarkets - restaurants - hotels Coordinated by in-market representatives Short-term and long-term impact

Branded Program Cost share assistance for branded products sold in foreign markets - 50% cost reimbursement of eligible expenses U.S. food & agricultural products only - minimum 50% US agricultural origin Products not covered by another industry group Small companies only (<500 employees) Application from a US company

Additional Requirements Activities approved in advance Company incurs all expenses up front USA Origin Statement for ALL products, activities, and materials - Made in … - Product of … - Grown in … US, USA, America or State name can be used

What Are Eligible Expenses? Advertisements and publications Public relations and seminars Promotions and demonstrations International tradeshows - including limited travel costs Certain domestic trade shows Package and label changes

Reimbursements Maximum request is $250,000 Minimum request is $2,500 First-time applicants - with exporting experience, initial maximum request is $50,000 - without exporting experience, initial maximum request is $25,000 $200 application fee –non-refundable 6% administrative fee –non-refundable –based on approved allocation Maximum/Minimum requests are based on the reimbursement amount

. Performance MeasureResult # of participating companies18 Total dollars reimbursed$748,425 First time sales to a new market 3 Actual sales reported$24,650,624 New Distributor Relationships established 22 20% increases in export sales OHIO Branded Program Results

Branded Program Application P re-qualify - determines eligibility to participate - notification within 72 hours Complete the application - application summary - country marketing plan and/or domestic tradeshow plan Submit application - original, signed certification form - application fee, $200 - samples of labels/packaging or promotional literature - Private Label and Exclusivity Agreement, if required

Growing Export Sales Increased Sales from Exports Export Essentials On-line Buyers Missions Branded Program Market Builder Food Show PLUS! Food Export Helpline Trade Missions In-store Promotions Educational Seminars Online Product Catalog

Q & A