In This Issue:
 Left to Right – Director Gordon Wenk, MDARD; Dr. John Bruinsma, Dr. John’s Candies; Governor Rick Snyder; Debra Bruinsma, Dr. John’s Candies; Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD; Michael McDonald, Dr. John’s Candies.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has selected Dr. John’s Candies of Comstock Park as the recipient of the “2018 Michigan Agricultural Exporter of the Year” award. The award was presented today to company officials by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Dr. John’s Candies was established in 1995 by John and Debra Bruinsma as an innovative candy manufacturer. The company specializes in the world’s only natural, sugar-free lollipops and hard candies, which are made from premium ingredients, have no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, and are free of major allergens.
“We are honored to be the recipient of the 2018 Ag Exporter of the Year award,” said Debra Bruinsma, Co-Founder of Dr. John’s Candies. “We never dreamed a dentist and a dental hygienist looking for a better alternative for our patients could grow a cottage business into an internationally sought-after brand of candy that provides nutritional benefits and fights tooth decay.”
Since 2000, Dr. John’s Candies has had significant export success. The company’s sugar-free lollipops, hard candies, caramels, and taffy are currently exported to Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan, China, and New Zealand. Dr. John’s Candies has been able to export 22 percent of its annual sales and create two Michigan jobs due to its exporting activities in 2017.
To learn more about Dr. John's Candies, view the full press release at https://bit.ly/2PfMW7E.
 Left to Right - Shannon Long, Brew Export; Director Gordon Wenk, MDARD.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has selected Brew Export of Comstock Park as the 2018 “Rising Star Award” recipient. The award, presented by MDARD Director Gordon Wenk, was created to recognize a Michigan company that is new to exporting or is increasing its exports into one or more countries.
Brew Export was established in 2015 with the mission of connecting people around the globe through beer. Brew Export has helped Michigan craft beer enter China, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Canada, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
View Brew Export's Success Story video at http://bit.ly/2w1Gqdy. To learn more about Brew Export, view the full press release at https://bit.ly/2Op4eif.
 Michigan companies can now register to participate in Michigan Pavilions at the following domestic food shows in 2019:
American Food Fair at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show
- May 18-21, 2019 - Chicago, IL
- Price: $3,595 per 10’ x 10’ booth
- Booth package includes: hard walls and company signage, carpet and padding, wastebasket, lockable storage counter, and exhibitor passes.
BAR19 at the NRA Show
- May 18-21, 2019 - Chicago, IL
- Price: $2,000 for a 10’ x 5’ booth
- Booth package includes: one display counter, one bar stool, company signage, carpet, trash can, and two exhibitor badges.
Sweets & Snacks Expo
- May 21-23, 2019 - Chicago, IL
- Price: $3,650 for a 10’ X 10’ booth OR $1,825 for a 5’ X 10’ booth
- Booth package includes: hard walls and company signage, carpet and padding, wastebasket, lockable storage counter, and exhibitor passes.
To learn more or to register for any of our Michigan Pavilions, visit http://bit.ly/2M2osOF. Booth space is filled on a first come, first served basis.
Seeking cost reimbursement for a variety of international marketing activities in the upcoming year? Food Export-Midwest is offering a unique program to exporters across the Midwest once again in 2019: The Branded Program. The Branded Program is a cost-share funding program aimed at helping food and agricultural exporters promote their products in international markets. Eligible companies can receive up to 50% cost reimbursement for a wide variety of international marketing and promotional activities.
Eligible international expenses include: advertising, package and label modification, international web site development, international trade shows, select domestic trade shows, marketing, in-store promotions and product demonstrations, and freight cost for samples.
To qualify for Food Export-Midwest's Branded Program, companies must meet the U.S. Small Business Administration guidelines, be a U.S. company, and promote brand name products that contain at least 50% U.S. agricultural content by weight.
To find out if your company qualifies, fill out your Branded Program pre-qualification today, https://bit.ly/2HaUJjO. Funding is in high demand, therefore, we strongly encourage companies to apply early. Contact the International Marketing Program to discuss how your company can best utilize the program.
For more information, access Food Export's 2019 Branded Program Exporter Manual at https://bit.ly/2AYkpBc.
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In 2017, Ethel’s
Baking Company participated in the Food Export Association of the Midwest’s
Focused Trade Mission to Toronto for Specialty and Natural Products. The trade
mission helped the business connect with Canadian buyers and stores in addition
to Food Export staff. As a result, Ethel’s made their first ever export sale.
Jill Bommarito,
founder and president of Ethel’s Baking Company, credits the International
Marketing Program at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development for the assistance provided that resulted in the company’s first
export. The International Marketing team helped by “giving us guidance in the
new [export] marketplace.”
Read the full story here:
http://bit.ly/2LIfIfV
Michigan food and agriculture companies were introduced to international buyers as part of Food Export's Midwest Buyers Mission on August 1. The Midwest Buyers Mission took place at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan, where over 20 Michigan food and agriculture companies made connections with pre-qualified international buyers. The International Marketing Program hosted international buyers from more than 18 countries across the globe, including Canada, Belgium, Mexico, the U.A.E., China, and South Korea.
Companies were able to conduct 10 to 15 one-on-one meetings with the international buyers, with a total of 300 meetings taking place throughout the day. The Midwest Buyers Mission provides the perfect opportunity for Michigan companies to gain exposure to potential export market opportunities and to strengthen their international network of food and beverage buyers, without having to leave the state! To learn more about how you can export your products, visit michigan.gov/agexport.
Private Label Buyers Mission at the 2018 PLMA Show
Nov. 11 - 12 | Rosemont, IL
Food Show PLUS! at ANUFOOD Annapoorna 2018
Sep. 26 - 29 | Mumbai, India
Focused Trade Mission to UAE
Dec. 8 - 10 | Dubai, UAE
Focused Trade Mission to Kuwait
Dec. 11 - 13 | Kuwait City, Kuwait
Specialty Food Buyers Mission at the 2019 Winter Fancy Food Show
Jan. 12 - 14 | San Francisco, CA
Get in Touch with the International Marketing Program
 Jamie Zmitko-Somers
zmitkoj@michigan.gov
517-284-5738
 Allie Fox VanDriel
foxa1@michigan.gov
517-284-5737
Kathryn Kendall
kendallk2@michigan.gov
517-284-5740
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