What could be a more powerful way to introduce international buyers to the vast value-added agricultural products of the Midwest and Northeast regions than to have them travel to both regions for one-on-one meetings with U.S. suppliers?
The meetings took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Boston, Massachusetts, July 29th and 31st, 2025. Sixty-five U.S. suppliers registered for the pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings. As preparation for the meetings, participants reviewed buyer profiles, prioritized buyers of interest, and were encouraged to take advantage of a number of Food Export’s educational programs, such as webinars and Export Essentials, to help them prepare for their business discussions. The international buyers also prepared by reviewing product information and participant websites prior to the mission.
Participating international buyers traveled from Brazil. Canada, Chile, China, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Products of interest ranged from snack foods to condiments and sauces to bakery products to meat and dairy to distilled spirits and a whole host of other food products primarily for retail and food service. Healthy, natural, and organic traits, as well as products with clean labels were of particular interest. Buyers also expressed interest in learning about sustainability efforts being undertaken by suppliers.
International buyers were not disappointed in the quality of the companies and variety of products they found in both cities. Grandpapa’s Snack Company, from Detroit, Michigan, was of interest to many of the buyers. The company produces a wide variety of extruded snacks in various shapes, sizes, and flavors. One of Grandpapa’s competitive strengths is its ability to modify ingredients, package size and materials, and other requirements which are critical when it comes to meeting the needs of international buyers.
Natasha Halabu, head of the company’s operations, focused not only on promoting her products but also on determining buyer’s needs and expectations. Natasha commented that “Food Export’s Buyers Missions are one of the best, low-cost ways for us to identify new potential customers. Once we have the meeting, it’s up to us to do our homework to move towards a sale. Food Export offers other services that can help us overcome hurdles along the way, as well as help fund market expansion through the Branded Program.”
After wrapping up a day and a half of meetings in Grand Rapids, the buyers traveled to Boston for another day of marathon meetings.
Midwest Region
