The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (Food Export - Midwest) are launching the 2009 Branded Program year. Made possible through funds from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, this cost-share service assists small Indiana suppliers promote their brand name food and agricultural products in foreign markets.
The Branded Program enables Indiana suppliers to stretch their international marketing dollars twice as far and grow their exporting business. Once approved, participants receive a 50 percent cost reimbursement on certain eligible marketing and promotional activities such as attending international and some approved domestic tradeshows; advertising; public relations; in-store promos; product demonstrations; product literature; freight cost for samples; package and label modification and more. The Branded Program reimburses eligible companies between $2,500 and $300,000 for eligible marketing activities. Midwest participants collectively receive more than $6 million annually in reimbursements.
Only companies defined as "small" by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are eligible to participate; typically this means companies with fewer than 500 employees. Agricultural producer cooperatives are also eligible and exempt from size restrictions.
For more information on the Branded Program and the pre-qualification worksheet are available at http://www.brandedprogram.org/. In order to be pre-approved for Branded Program activities starting Jan. 1, 2009 and running through Dec. 31, 2009, companies should apply to the program by Oct. 1, 2008. Questions about Branded Program qualifications, marketing plans, eligible reimbursements, and the application process can be directed to Lesley Taulman, ISDA International Trade Program Manager, at ltaulman@isda.in.gov or 317-233-1485 or Food Export - Midwest at 312-334-9200.
Food Export - Midwest is a private, non-profit association of Midwestern state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern food and agricultural products.
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