In 2022, IQ Bar, Inc. participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program to increase awareness and consumer trials by conducting online advertising on social media and websites targeting international audiences. They specifically focused on Chinese consumers because of the large population and the demand for protein bars. As a result of their activities funded by the Branded Program, this Boston, Massachusetts company gained 1 new foreign agent and reported an increase in export sales of $10,000 and additional projected exports amounting to $200,000.

With their success in 2022, IQ Bar plans to expand their export development and marketing efforts to several new countries in 2023. They participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Northeast Buyers Mission in 2023 and reported initial export sales of $190,000 with projected sales of $380,000. They also participated in Food Export’s Virtual Consultation service, where they met virtually with Food Export’s In-Market Representatives from the Caribbean and Central America.

IQ Bar, Inc. developed and launched its first protein bars in 2017. Since then, their bar line has evolved substantially and introduced new product lines, but its mission has always remained the same, “Empower doers through superior brain and body nutrition”.

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.