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Growing Exports for Michigan Cookie Company

Founded in 2011, Cooper Street Cookies are made from an “original 100-year-old cookie recipe based on quality ingredient with no nuts, no dairy and nothing artificial and are delighting cookie lovers of all ages.”

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Founded in 2011, Cooper Street Cookies, LLC is a Michigan-based, woman-owned, family-run company known for its delightfully crisp, light, twice-baked cookies. Dedicated to quality, the company uses simple, locally sourced ingredients.

After a decade of rapid growth, Cooper Street Cookies began participating in Food Export–Midwest’s Branded Program in 2021 to boost sales in Canada. Through the Market Access Program-funded Branded Program, the company expanded exports with a previously established distributor. That year, they increased brand exposure by adapting their labels and packaging for bilingual consumers. With the program’s 50% cost reimbursement, Cooper Street Cookies offset the expenses of these modifications, resulting in $10,800 in new Canadian sales and projecting an additional $40,000 over the following twelve months.

In 2022, the Birmingham, Michigan supplier returned to the Branded Program to further grow its Canadian market share. Program funding supported additional label and packaging changes to meet Canadian regulations, which helped the company achieve $5,000 in new sales, connect with 10 foreign buyers, and establish one new distributorship.

In 2024, Cooper Street Cookies once again leveraged the Branded Program, this time focusing on expansion into Mexico. Using program funding, the company launched in-store promotions that led to $300,000 in sales, including its first-ever sale to the Mexican market.

Cooper Street Cookies is a proud advocate for Food Export programs. Max Surnow, CEO, Co-Founder, and President, has shared the company’s story of how the Branded Program has been instrumental in driving its export growth and long-term success.

Food Export uses funding from 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. 

Branded Program Participant Success

First-Year Participant

First-Time Export to a Market

Share your Success

Each year, hundreds of U.S. suppliers participate in the Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast’s programs. As a result, companies are successful at generating new export sales, establishing new distributorship, expanding their production facilities,
and hiring additional employees. Read the Success Stories to learn more!

If your company has a success to share, email us at info@foodexport.org.

 

Related Success Stories

First-Time Branded Participant Boosts Brand Awareness in Mexico 

First-Time Branded Participant Boosts Brand Awareness in Mexico 

"Being part of the Branded Program has been an incredible opportunity, and we look forward to continuing this journey with the same exceptional support.” 
Read their Story
Minnesota Dairy Ingredients Supplier Finds Export Success in Colombia

Minnesota Dairy Ingredients Supplier Finds Export Success in Colombia

"Participating in Food Export’s Buyers Missions and Trade Missions is essential to our export success. We can meet buyers in person that we normally would not get to meet and begin to establish a relationship with these buyers."
Read their Story
Fourteen-Year Participant Still Experiencing Export Growth

Fourteen-Year Participant Still Experiencing Export Growth

“The meetings were well organized, and the buyers came prepared to discuss their needs for the Venus Brands crackers and flatbreads. We appreciate the continued hard work and great events provided by Food Export.”
Read their Story

 

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Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast reserve the right to deny services to any firm or individual which, in the sole opinion of Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast, does not comply with FAS, MAP or Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast regulations or policies, or otherwise offer the best opportunity to achieve its mission of increasing food and agricultural exports. Submission of any false or misleading information may be grounds for rejection or subsequent revocation of any application or participation. Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are equal opportunity employers and providers.