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After three years with the International Marketing Program at MDARD, we are saying a fond farewell to Program Coordinator, Kathryn Kendall. Our team will dearly miss her, but we are excited for her upcoming opportunities as Communications Manager for the Michigan State University Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.
Thank you and best of luck Kathryn! |
For the first time ever, together with the Food Export Association of the Midwest, we will be offering a six-part virtual webinar series designed specifically for Michigan companies. This series covers export fundamentals, technical assistance, and market updates for some of Michigan’s top food and agriculture export markets.
Plus, automatically qualify for a free video consultation with one of Food Export's In-Market Representatives, a $50 value compliments of MDARD, when you sign up for the full virtual seminar series.
Sign up before our first session this Thursday, January 13th to receive this special offer!
$75 for the 6-part series + Free Virtual Consultation
Series schedule:
- January 13 – Why Export?
- March 10 – Developing Export Readiness
- May 12 – How to Prepare for Meetings with Foreign Buyers
- July 14 – Understanding Incoterms 2020
- September 15 – China and the “Phase One” Trade Agreement
- November 10 – The U.S. Japan Free Trade Agreement
Sign up below or contact us with any questions!
We are excited to be back on the road in 2022 at trade events throughout the year. The mission of the International Marketing program at MDARD is to assist Michigan food and agricultural businesses in developing domestic and international market opportunities to grow their business effectively. To help you grow your business, we have the following resources available:
Trade Shows
We are offering five trade show pavilions in 2022 for Michigan companies. Each show has a discounted rate for Michigan companies to participate with limited availability, click on each link to learn more and register!
| Show |
Date |
Location |
| National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show |
May 21-24, 2022 |
Chicago, IL |
| Sweets & Snacks Expo |
May 24-26, 2022 |
Chicago, IL |
| Summer Fancy Food Show |
June 12-14, 2022 |
New York, NY |
| SIAL Paris |
October 15-19, 2022 |
Paris, France |
| The Global Produce and Floral Show |
October 27-29, 2022 |
Orlando, FL |
Cash Reimbursement
Through our partnership with the Food Export Association of the Midwest, Michigan food and agriculture companies are eligible for 50% cash reimbursement for their export-related expenses. Eligible expenses include foreign market-compliant packaging and labels, marketing materials, website development, trade show expenses, and more!
Click here to learn more and submit your pre-qualification today!
Trade Missions
We are coordinating one trade mission in 2022 on behalf of Food Export Association of the Midwest.
Buyers Missions
We are coordinating three buyers missions in 2022 on behalf of Food Export Association of the Midwest. These events are a great low-cost option that allows you to meet with buyers from around the world and start building relationships with buyers interested in your products.
Export Consultations
We would be excited to meet with you to discuss existing and potential export opportunities for your business! During a brief 30-minute consultation, we will talk about your products, identify potential markets for you to pursue, and explain the resources and services available to you through our program and strategic partners. Contact Liz Smith at smithe62@michigan.gov to schedule your consultation today!
Additionally, Food Export Association of the Midwest coordinates Virtual Consultations with In-Market Representatives for 15 countries/regions across the globe. During these 30-minute meetings, you will have the opportunity to ask market-specific questions to optimize your approach to global markets. These sessions are available for a low-cost investment of $50. Sign up here today!
Export Education
Gain free or low cost access to educational resources designed for Michigan food and agriculture businesses through MDARD and our strategic partners. Live, previously recorded, and written resources are available to you here!
If you are currently exporting, used to but are lacking the current workforce, or are looking to expand your business footprint but don't know where to start, we have just the solution for you!
The Export Advisor Program is a free service offered to Michigan food and agriculture companies through our partnership with Food Export Association of the Midwest. By registering for 2022, you will gain free access to work directly with an export Advisor to:
- Identify potential target markets and develop a custom export strategy
- Navigate market-specific regulations and follow up properly with buyers
- Find resources for growth and help with details, logistics, product specifications, packaging, etc.
- Provide pre- and post-trade event assistance and support successful participation in Food Export activities
This program is ideal for companies who have interest from upper management in exporting but could use some expert support on how to approach those markets. Participants should have been in business for at least 2 years, with annual sales of $1.5 million.
If this doesn't describe your company, don't worry! We offer a wide variety of other educational and advisory resources at little to no cost. Reach out to learn more!
Author: Food Export
Pop Daddy Popcorn, LLC of Whitmore Lake, located in Michigan's 8th Congressional District, is exporting and making sales into Canada. The company participated in the Focused Trade Mission to Toronto for Specialty and Natural products, organized by Food Export and coordinated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), in September of 2018. While on the trade mission, the company met with a specialty food retailer who placed orders totaling over $500,000.
Since the trade mission, Pop Daddy Popcorn has continued to grow its Canadian export market utilizing the Branded Program. “Food Export provided us the platform to launch internationally. They absorbed a substantial part of the risk that we would not have taken on our own. We are grateful, not only for the financial support, but also for the numerous programs they offer to continue our international growth. Trade Missions and Buyers Missions are just a couple of the programs they offer. We also look forward to their support of Trade Shows in Canada once the shows come back,” said Mark Sarafa, Pop Daddy Popcorn Owner and CEO.
In addition to Food Export programs, Pop Daddy Popcorn has utilized MDARD’s Value Added Grant program. In 2019, Pop Daddy Popcorn received a grant for $125,000 for automation and expansion of popcorn and pretzel packaging capabilities.
“The Value Added grant changed our company. We could not supply the large regional customers, let alone the large volume from Canada. Although we still produce in small batches, the packaging equipment increased our capacity 5x. We are now able to supply customers across North America. Because of that, we have also added over 20 full-time jobs,” added Sarafa.
Pop Daddy Popcorn produces ten types of popcorn and varieties of seasoned pretzel sticks that are bold and unique. They are known for popping a premium Ruby Red kernel in 100% Pure Olive Oil. Pop Daddy’s premium popcorn comes directly from two family farms. Their products are made in small batches, hand-seasoned, and contain no artificial flavors.
Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast use 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.
Have you been contacted by an international company expressing interest in purchasing your products, but you’re uncertain about their credit worthiness?
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's International Marketing Program is pleased to continue offering Worldwide Credit Reports for Michigan food and agriculture companies. This service will provide the most up-to-date credit information on in-country businesses in partnership with the Van Andel Global Trade Center. Worldwide Credit Reports help companies and partners with operations, stability, and profitability.
Qualifying food and agriculture companies are eligible to receive one Worldwide Credit Report free of charge.
Depending on country, each report will include some or all of the following:
- Executive Summary
- Answers to Questions
- Recent Imperatives
- Legal Information
- History of Related Companies
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- Trade References
- Technical Information
- Bank References
- Financial Conditions
- Payment History
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Reports are developed by in-country representatives and are fully accepted by all major credit insurance firms.
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Michigan ranks second in the nation for agricultural production diversity! Check out these fun availability guides and plan for some tasty local produce in 2022. Many of these specialty crops are available at local farmer's markets, restaurants, and grocery stores across the state.
Learn more here: Michigan Farmer's Markets
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Featured Specialty Crops
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Webinar - Creating Confidence in Exporting: Why Export?
January 13, 2022 | Online
Webinar - Forestry in Finland and northern US (Part 1)
January 27, 2022 | Online
Specialty Food Buyers Mission at the 2022 Winter Fancy Food Show
February 5-7, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV
Food Show PLUS! at Gulfood 2022
February 13-17, 2022 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Webinar - Forestry in Finland and northern US (Part 2)
February 24, 2022 | Online
Focused Trade Mission to Panama
March 21-22, 2022 | Panama City, Panama
Webinar - Forestry in Finland and northern US (Part 3)
March 24, 2022 | Online
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