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The International Marketing Program is excited to announce that the 2024 activity calendar is now available! The program will host Michigan Pavilions at six trade shows and will help to coordinate buyers and trade missions in conjunction with their partner, the Food Export Association of the Midwest.
2024 trade shows include the Sweets and Snacks Expo (now in Indianapolis), the National Restaurant Association Show, the Summer Fancy Food Show, and more! The program is now reserving booth space for these 2024 shows. To reserve booth space and to learn more please contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov.
Food Export will also host numerous buyers’ missions including the Foodservice Buyers Mission at the National Restaurant Association Show and a buyers’ mission at the Sweets and Snacks Expo.
The Midwest Buyers Mission will make a stop in Michigan in 2024! Stay tuned for more information on this great opportunity to connect with international buyers from around the world.The International Marketing Program will also work with Food Export on the Focused Trade Mission to Canada for Retail and Foodservice that will occur late in September 2024. For a list of all activities that the International Marketing Program will have in 2024 go to www.miagexport.com/events.
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Food Export will once again have its Branded Program and it is now accepting applications for 2024! The Branded Program is a 50% cost-reimbursement program for things like trade show booth space (for international and some domestic), marketing materials such as sampling supplies for trade shows and updated labels for export to another country, and other various marketing materials. To submit your application for the 2024 program year please visit Branded Program Archives • Food Export Association of the Midwest USA.
If your company is looking to export or wants to learn more about exporting, please contact our International Marketing Program at MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov and we will be happy to assist you!
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Industry News
Dairy Business Builder Grant Now Open
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) has launched their third round of the Dairy Business Builder Grant opportunity. This grant aims to encourage small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and processors in the Midwest to help them to pursue projects such as dairy farm diversification, on-farm processing, value-added product creation, and/or efforts to market dairy products for export.
Since its creation of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, the DBIA has administered technical assistance and over $7.5 million in grant funding to dairy businesses throughout the Midwest. Reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each will be awarded to different dairy businesses after going through a competitive review process.
Farm Innovation Grant Accepting Applications
The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is now accepting applications for a one-time farm innovation grant program. The Farm Innovation Grant Program is designed to help develop and support innovative solutions to real, immediate, and future problems facing Michigan’s food and agricultural industry.
“Governor Whitmer has made it clear in her bipartisan budget the importance and value agriculture brings to Michigan. However, we must adapt as an industry through innovative and creative practices,” said Director Tim Boring. “These grant funds are an excellent step forward into the future of our food and agriculture industry. Climate resiliency practices are a long-term version of what agriculture needs to look like in Michigan and how we respond to short and long-term challenged.”
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The 2023 Ag Exporter of the Year was recently awarded to Zeeland Farm Services (ZFS) for their excellence in exportation. The company, headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan, began exporting Michigan-grown soy products in 1999. They credit their success in exporting to a great team of people who work well together to make their export program successful. ZFS are a previous recipient of this award, and it was wonderful to see just how much their company has grown.
“Companies like Zeeland Farm Services are an example of why international buyers continue to view Michigan as the best place for food and agricultural businesses. Zeeland’s work helps to ensure that ‘Made in Michigan’ is recognized around the world,” said Director Boring. “Governor Whitmer is committed to attracting world business to Michigan while investing in its growth on an international scale, as shown in her bipartisan budget. Just this week, Governor Whitmer and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed a new economic agreement building on our longstanding economic relationship through a new partnership that will increase trade, attract investment, and encourage job creation in both jurisdictions. MDARD is proud to work with companies to grow our global footprint.”
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International Marketing
"Easy to pick up, impossible to put down." This is the slogan of the young and hungry company, Chunk Nibbles, based in Troy, Michigan that is revolutionizing the American Snack Industry. Founded by Brad and Katie Cocklin in 2018, Chunk Nibbles has seen amazing growth over the past five years, even as a young start-up during the pandemic. This delicious gourmet snack mix company is built on sacrifice, dedication, strength, and belief and is inspired by a family recipe from Brad's grandmother, Cuddy. Brad believed so deeply in her delicious snack that he wanted to share it with others across the globe, and through this marital unit's hard work and endless sacrifices, they are doing just that.
Read the full story below.
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Food Export is now accepting applications for the Branded Program for 2024! The Branded Program provides up to 50% cost reimbursement for a variety of international marketing activities. Eligibility requirements include having headquarters in the U.S., meeting SBA guidelines, having at least 50% of your product made from U.S. products by weight, and more.
International marketing activities include international website development, fees for exhibiting at select international and domestic tradeshows, advertising and public relations, and more. To learn more about how your company can utilize the Branded Program and to learn more about the program please contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov.
Food Export has also recently updated their website including their portal! Take a look at their new website along with some of their 2023 and 2024 activities at www.foodexport.org!
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Global Produce & Floral Show
October 19-21, 2023 | Anaheim, California *SOLD OUT*
Van Andel Global Trade Center | New-to-Export Workshops
Grand Valley State University’s Van Andel Global Trade Center (VAGTC) is hosting a New-to-Export Workshop at Automation Alley in Troy, Michigan on September 20, 2023 from 11:00am to 12:30pm. The New-to-Export workshops will provide businesses with first steps and resources to start to build exports, an overview of statewide export services available to assist Michigan businesses, and actionable next steps to start or grow existing exports.
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Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Agriculture Development Division
MDARD-AgD@Michigan.gov
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