ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 13, 2009

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FOOD EXPORT PROMOTION

BISMARCK – North Dakota food companies with overseas exports are encouraged to participate in the 2009 Branded Program, sponsored by Food Export – Midwest and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA).

“The Branded Program helps small midwest suppliers promote their brand name food and agricultural products in foreign markets,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Participants receive up to 50 percent cost reimbursement on eligible marketing and promotional endeavors such as attending trade shows, advertising, public relations, in-store promos, product demonstrations, product literature, freight cost for samples, and package and label modification. This is a significant opportunity for food export companies to reach more overseas customers.”

The application deadline is Oct. 31.

Participants must be small companies (by federal standards) or agricultural producer cooperatives with a corporate office, production facility or significant product originating from the Midwest. They must be registered business entities with a brand name. Qualifying products must contain at least 50 percent U.S. agricultural materials or ingredients, excluding water and packaging.

Questions about Branded Program pre-qualification, marketing plans, eligible reimbursements, and the application process can be directed to Stephanie Sinner, NDDA marketing specialist, at (701) 239-7211 or ssinner@nd.gov, or to Food Export – Midwest at (312) 334.9200. Additional information on the program and the pre-qualification worksheet are available at www.brandedprogram.org.

The Branded Program is underwritten by a grant from the Foreign Agriculture Service. Food Export – Midwest, formerly the Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council (MIATCO), is a private, non-profit association of 12 midwestern state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of midwestern food and agricultural products.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.