New USDA Program Offers Reimbursement for International Marketing Costs
23 August 2011 Companies eager to promote their food and agricultural products across the globe can now apply for the 2012 Branded Program, which offers 50% reimbursement for international marketing costs.
This unique opportunity for small US businesses is made possible by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Program and administered by four non-profit organizations known as State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs), according to a news release.
“Food and agricultural exporting remains an incredibly bright spot in today’s recovering economy, and the Branded Program provides small manufacturers the opportunity to compete in various foreign markets. This leads to increased output, and in many cases, job creation at a local level,” said Tim Hamilton, executive director of the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA in Chicago in a statement.
The other associations include Food Export USA – Northeast, the Southern US Trade Association, and the Western US Agricultural Trade Association. As a group, they have introduced US companies to foreign markets for over 30 years and support the National Export Initiative’s goal of doubling American exports by 2015, according to the USDA.
The Branded Program enables suppliers across the US to double their overseas marketing budgets, and in 2010, 670 U.S. food and agricultural companies received assistance through the SRTGs, according to the USDA. Supplier can use the program for exhibiting at select international and US trade shows, advertising, product demonstrations, package and label modifications and more.
Region’s SRTG offices:
• Food Export Association of the Midwest USA – Chicago, IL – 312-334-9200 – www.foodexport.org
• Food Export USA – Northeast – Philadelphia, PA – 215-829-9111 – www.foodexport.org
• Southern US Trade Association (SUSTA) – New Orleans, LA – 504-568-5986 – www.susta.org
• Western US Agricultural Trade Assoc. (WUSATA) – Vancouver, WA – 360-693-3373 – www.wusata.org
Reimbursable expenses have specific eligibility requirements or criteria that must be met. Please contact your region’s Branded Program Manager for more details.
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