It’s difficult to believe that 2018 is almost at an end. Here at Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast we are looking forward to 2019 and everything that it has in store!
Below we have listed a few program updates and new things coming in 2019. Please take a few minutes to read through so you can be up to date going into the 2019 Program Year.
You might have heard that both Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast hired new liaisons to better assist our respective state members and suppliers. Madison Smith and Apryl King have joined the team at Food Export-Northeast in Philadelphia while Lauren Kliethermes has joined Food Export-Midwest in Chicago.
Madison Smith – Food Export – Northeast
Apryl King – Food Export – Northeast
Lauren Kliethermes – Food Export – Midwest
NEW Liaison Territory Assignments
With new liaisons come new liaison territory assignments. Take a look at the diagrams below to see which liaison is now assigned to your state, and feel free reach out to them with any questions.
NEW In-Market Representatives
We are pleased to announce that we have 3 new In-Market Representatives (IMR’s).
Our network of overseas In-Market Representatives are local marketing experts with food industry experience that provide on-the-ground help in assisting us implement our programs and services. These local representatives are aware of issues, trends, and opportunities for international buyers to connect with suppliers of U.S. agricultural and food products.
Seafood – France and Spain – Felipe Macias
Felipe Macias has been appointed as the In-Market Representative for Food Export – Northeast representing France and Spain for seafood. Felipe is a consultant based in Madrid and has broad experience in the agro-food sector, having worked in the marketing and commercialization of different foods in many international markets.
He has a University Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in International Trade and has been a professor in several Universities and Business Schools, teaching international trade, international marketing and promotion. As a consultant he has worked for companies, associations and Governments in different countries helping them to brand, commercialize, and position their products and services, mainly in the foods & drinks sector.
Australia and New Zealand – Mark Baker – Produce Marketing Australia
As you may remember Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast conducted a successful first time Focused Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand in 2018 and we are happy to announce that we now have formal representation in the region.
Our new In-Market Representative is Mark Baker of Produce Marketing Australia. Mark will be responsible for trade and consumer promotion activity. He joined Produce Marketing Australia in April 2001 and has established an extensive network within the Australian retail sector, including national supermarkets, independent supermarkets and specialist greengrocers.
Peru – Pilar Gallastegui – River Global
We have also expanded one of our current representation relationships with our existing IMR, River Global, to include Peru. Pilar Gallastegui will be representing Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast in the Peruvian market.
A Peruvian native and based in Lima, Pilar has over 25 years of experience in the Peruvian food and beverage industry. She brings extensive experience in marketing, operations, logistics and market access. She is experienced in working for large foreign food companies in the areas of value-added products and ingredients, specifically in marketing, international negotiations, market entry strategy development and implementation, outsourcing, logistics and regulatory affairs.
NEW Market Builder’s Available
As a result of having new IMR’s we are excited to announce that our Market Builder service is now available in 3 new markets!
Market Builder provides customized research to help your company uncover potential in international markets.
Branded Program
We have several exciting updates for the Branded Program in 2019.
E-signatures
Starting in 2019, Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast will now accept electronic signatures on all Branded Program contracts. We have heard from companies requesting this feature, which ultimately can save time and resources. Please click here for detailed instructions on how to set up your electronic signature for 2019.
Uploading Claim Documents
Also new in 2019 is the ability for suppliers to upload their back-up documents when submitting claims online, making it easier than ever for companies to submit their claims. There will be more information to come regarding this functionality so stay tuned!
LMS videos
We have recently added new Learning Management videos to help you with the many steps of the Branded Program. We are always updating our educational resources so keep an eye out during the year as new videos are added. Click here to view.
NEW Graduation Exempt Shows
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service has added 2 new shows to their list of Graduation Exempt shows. See the full list of exempt shows for 2019 here.
NEW Activities for 2019
We have a total of 9 brand new Market Entry Activities available in 2019!
Focused Trade Mission to the Philippines for Natural and Organic Products
Focused Trade Mission to Thailand for Natural and Organic Products
Food Show PLUS! at CHFA West
Food Show PLUS! at VIV Asia
Beer Ingredients Buyers Mission at Brew Expo 2019
Food Show PLUS! at Fine Foods Australia
Focused Trade Mission to Peru
Focused Trade Mission to Mexico for Feed Ingredients
Focused Trade Mission to Korea for New Lifestyle US Food Products
Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP)
Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast have both submitted applications for the recently announced Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) and are awaiting funding announcements from FAS sometime in early January, when we will share more information.
Export Education
Don’t miss out on our first Webinar of the year!
From everyone here at Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast we hope you have a very Happy New Year and make sure to check back in January as we will continue to post a variety of helpful industry related blogs throughout 2019!
