Toronto and Montreal
April 1 – 5
Food Export hosted a Focused Trade Mission to Canada including stops in Toronto and Montreal the first week of April. This mission was held in conjunction with the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and the Western United States Trade Association (WUSATA) and was made possible by the support of the FAS post in Canada.
We had 8 participating suppliers from the Midwest and Northeast regions. Initial reports show 60+ supplier/buyer introductions reported and 25 new distributorships established as a result of the activity The Activity Coordinator for this event was our state member Jamie from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.
Canada is a very import export market for U.S. products and our Focused Trade Missions there are always a great way for U.S. suppliers to learn more about the market and gain first-hand knowledge
Evan Mangino, FAS Agricultural Attache for Canada, and Food Export In-Market Representative Kathy Boyce addressing the U.S. suppliers during a market briefing
U.S. suppliers on a Retail Tour of local Canadian stores
Retail Tour continued
Group Photo of participating U.S. suppliers
Food Export, WUSATA, and SUSTA signs in the hallway outside the buyer meetings
One-on-One Buyer Meetings between Canadian buyers and U.S. suppliers
Each meeting lasts approximately 20 minutes allowing for U.S. suppliers to meet with as many buyers as possible
Denver, Colorado
April 8 – April 11
Food Export hosted our first ever Beer Ingredients Buyers Mission at the 2019 Brew Expo. We hosted 7 buyers from Brazil, China, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the UK. All of whom had an understanding of the US beer ingredients industry. The main interest from the buyers was to find new ingredients from the US that will allow their clients to differentiate their beer production from others. U.S. hops are highly sought after in the international craft brewing industry and around the world as well.
The first portion of the mission was a Brewery Tour which allowed the buyers an opportunity to tour local Summit County, Colorado craft breweries. This experience helped the buyers network with brewery staff and other participants on what ingredients give their beers the distinct US craft beer style. The next day, the buyers had one-on-one meetings with our Midwest and Northeast suppliers of hops, malts, fruit concentrates and syrups that are used to brew beer. To round out the mission, the Hop Growers of America presented information about USA Hops and what makes them special. The buyers also had the opportunity to walk the Brew Expo tradeshow floor to learn more about the US craft brewing industry.
Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Manager Teresa Miller, Liaison Paul Sorenson, and Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Coordinator Allie Fox VanDriel were all in attendance and helped facilitate meetings between U.S. suppliers and international buyers
Group photo of international buyers, Food Export – Midwest International Program Manager Teresa Miller, and Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Coordinator Allie Fox VanDriel during the Brewery Tour
One-on-one meetings between U.S. suppliers of Beer Ingredients and International Buyers
One-on-one meetings continued
Group Photo of international buyers, Food Export, and MDARD staff with Brew Expo entrance in the background
Food Export Liaison Paul Sorenson, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Coordinator Allie Fox VanDriel, Food Export – Midwest International Program Manager Teresa Miller take a selfie outside the Brew Expo entrance
Group photo of some international buyers and Food Export Staff in front of the USA Hops booth
Food Export – Midwest International Program Manager Teresa Miller facilitating introductions between one of our international buyers and a staff member from USA Hops
One of our international buyers getting a first hand look at USA Hops
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 10 – 11
Food Export – Northeast held their annual Program Committee Meeting at the Cambria Hotel in Center City Philadelphia from April 10th to 11th. There were presentations made by a variety of Food Export – Northeast staff members giving updates on program areas and new initiatives. As well as presentations by outside speakers including:
Don Washington, Marketing Specialist, USDA’S Foreign Agricultural Service – FAS
Alex Noffsinger, Manager of Public Policy, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture –NASDA
Ellen Valudes, VP of Dale Carnegie
The day and a half meeting was a great opportunity for all of the Northeast state members to gather together and discuss a variety of export, trade, and ag related topics affecting suppliers in their states.
The following States had members in attendance at the meeting:
Food Export – Northeast Executive Director Tim Hamilton giving opening remarks at the 2019 PC Meeting
FAS Marketing Specialist Don Washington giving an update presentation during the PC Meeting
Alex Noffsinger, Manager of Public Policy for NASDA, presenting an International Trade Policy Update
One of our State Members, Bonita from Massachusetts, giving a short State Update about her state and the specific ag and trade issues that are currently important
Some of the Food Export – Northeast staff pose in Center City in front of Philadelphia City Hall
Food Export – Northeast Executive Director Tim Hamilton posing in front of Philadelphia City Hall after the PC Meeting, before heading back to Chicago to prepare for the Food Export – Midwest MD Meeting the following week
Food Export – Midwest Marketing Directors Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
April 16 – 17
Food Export – Midwest held their annual Marketing Directors Meeting at the Dana Hotel in Chicago from April 16th to 17th.
Food Export – Midwest Board President Doug Goehring Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture attended the first day of the meeting and briefly addressed the group. In addition to the presentations made by the Food Export – Midwest staff members there were 2 guests speakers in attendance:
Don Washington, Marketing Specialist, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service – FAS
Nathan Bowen, Director of Public Policy, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture – NASDA
As always it was great to have so many state members together for the meeting to discuss the unique trade and ag related issues that pertain to the Midwest region.
The following States had members in attendance at the meeting:
The 2019 Food Export – Midwest MD Meeting was held in Chicago
Food Export – Midwest Board President Doug Goehring Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and Food Export – Midwest Executive Director Tim Hamilton
Food Export – Midwest Executive Director Tim Hamilton welcoming attendees and giving an update on the 2018 and 2019 Program years for Food Export – Midwest
Food Export – Midwest Board President Doug Goehring Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture addressing the audience
Nathan Bowen, Executive Director of Public Policy at NASDA presenting an International Trade Policy Update
The 2019 Food Export – Midwest MD Meeting was held at the Dana Hotel in downtown Chicago which features a rooftop lounge
Food Export – Midwest State Member Mark Fischer from the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship giving a state update
FAS Marketing Specialist Don Washington giving an update presentation
Food Export – Midwest International Marketing Program Senior Coordinator Brendan Wilson takes a selfie of Executive Director Tim Hamilton’s presentation
Chicago Skyline
COMING UP IN MAY
Pet Food Ingredient Buyers Mission at Pet Food Forum – May 1
Food Show PLUS! At SIAL Canada – April 30 – May 2
Food Show PLUS! at 2019 Seafood Expo Global – May 7 – 9
Workshop on Incoterms and Harmonized Codes with BDG International – May 8
Importer Seminar in Vietnam
Food Show PLUS! at SIAL China – May 13 – 16
WTC Harrisburg’s 20th Annual Trade Conference – May 15
Food Service Buyers Mission at the NRA Show – May 18 – 20
Beer Wine & Spirits Buyers Mission at BAR19– May 20
Sweets and Snacks Buyers Mission at the 2019 Sweets and Snacks Expo – May 20 – 22
Food Show PLUS! at Seoul Food & Hotel – May 20 – 24
Focused Trade Mission to Mexico for Feed Ingredients – May 21 – 24
Maine International Trade Day – May 24