ISDA Marketing Newsletter – March 2018

April Craft Beer Month to Celebrate Local Breweries and Cheese too!

Locally made beers are one of the fastest growing trends in the local food and beverage scene. Using Idaho barley and Idaho hops, many brewers are entering the craft beer industry. To celebrate and promote these locally crafted beers, April has been designated Craft Beer Month and will include a variety of tasting events. A new addition to this year’s celebration in downtown Boise will be a “Curd Crawl” - because after all, what goes better with local beer than locally made cheese curds? For information, contact Leah Clark.

Idaho Companies to Exhibit at Associated Foods Show in April

Associated Foods is a distributor to many local independently owned grocery stores across Idaho. Each year they host a food show for their many store customers and again this year the show will feature an Idaho Pavilion with 12 Idaho companies exhibiting. This show gives great visibility to Idaho companies who want to offer their products to retailers across Idaho looking to expand their offering of local products. The show is April 11-12 in Salt Lake City. For information contact Leah Clark.

Idaho Foods to Reach Thousands of Consumers at Foodfort 2018

Foodfort is a popular addition to the Treefort Music Festival that draws nearly 8000 people to downtown Boise. The 2018 three-day event, March 23-25th, will feature tastes of Idaho foods prepared by 14 of Idaho’s best chefs. A part of Alefort, Foodfort allows consumers the opportunity to sample a variety of local foods while enjoying Idaho and northwest beers, ales and ciders. Some restaurants participating include State and Lemp, juniper, Zee’s Rooftop Café, Wildroot Café, Remingtons in Cascade, St Lawrence Gridiron, Kanak Attack, Camels Crossing, Grit American Cuisine, Red Feather and Warfield’s in Ketchum. In addition to the tastes, Foodfort will also include “talks,” a series of forums discussing trendy topics in the culinary world. For more information contact Leah Clark.

Sales Figures are in for Tremendously Successful 2017 Retail Roadshow

Thirteen grocery stores across the state showcased Idaho fruits and vegetables as part of the first ever Retail Roadshow. Activities included in-store demonstrations, sampling, live radio remotes, special pricing and prize drawings. The events, a highlight of Idaho Preferred month in September, took place in Broulims, Albertsons, Atkinsons, Swensons and Walmart stores from McCall to Rexburg. All participating stores reported increased sales of Idaho produce items including peaches, apples, pears, onions, sweet corn, melons and potatoes and in total over $5.7 million of Idaho produce was sold! The Retail Roadshows were made possible with funding from a USDA Specialty Crop Grant. For information contact Leah Clark Idaho Preferred Annual Report Available On-Line See what Idaho Preferred has been doing for its members in the 2017 Annual Report. Updates on advertising, social media, retail, foodservice and farm to school activities can be found here. For information contact Leah Clark.

Idaho Pavilion to Promote Idaho Food and Beverages at the Winter Fancy Food Show in 2020

Idaho companies can exhibit in a new Idaho pavilion at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show in January 2020. The Winter Fancy Food Show, held in San Francisco, CA, is one of the industry’s top networking events with over 80,000 specialty food and beverage products showcased by over 1,400 exhibitors from around the world. Specialty food companies can introduce products to a large audience of buyers and industry professionals. With an Idaho pavilion, this will be a great opportunity to split booth costs with other exhibitors and to be part of a larger exhibition for more visibility next to other state pavilions. Planning for the event will begin this spring as booths need to be reserved over 1.5 years in advance of the show for the larger area. If interested in exhibiting at the Winter Fancy Food Show in 2020, please contact Chelsea Conlon.

Nursery Products Focus of first ever Nursery Retail Road Show

Nursery retailers throughout the state can increase consumer awareness of Idaho grown plants during the spring 2018 Nursery Retail Road Show. The road show will include stops at Idaho Preferred member retail nurseries where there will be displays, giveaways and drawings. These Roadshow events will be promoted through social media, digital advertisements and radio. The Nursery Roadshow kicks off at Moss Greenhouse in Jerome on April 28th from 11am-2pm. Join us on the Nursery Retail Roadshow! 

• April 28 Moss Greenhouse 11am-2pm 
• April 29th D&B (Twin Falls) 11am-2pm
• May 4th D&B (Nampa) 3pm-6pm
• May 5th Franz Witte 11am-2pm
• May 6th FarWest 11am-2pm
• May 12th Old Valley Farm & Nursery 11am-2pm
• May 13th Edwards Greenhouse 11am-2pm
• May 18th Town & Country Gardens (Idaho Falls) 3pm-6pm
• May 19th Sunnyside Gardens (Idaho Falls) 11am-2pm

For more information please call Megan Harper at (208) 332-8532

Farmer Chef Collaborative to Build Connections for Local Buyers and Producers in North Idaho

One of the fastest growing trends in the food industry is the local food movement. Local farmers, restaurants and school food service staff have the opportunity to come together at a Farmer Chef Collaborative March 5th at the 1912 Center in Moscow from 1:30-3:30pm. The Farmer Chef Collaborative aims to build connections within the community and the local producers. Idaho Preferred has paired up with the University of Idaho Extension office and the Moscow Farmers Market for this event. For more information please call Megan Harpe at (208) 332-8532

Idaho Trade Mission to Taiwan and Vietnam a Success

In November, Idaho House Speaker Scott Bedke led a delegation of 19 Idaho companies and organizations to Taiwan and Vietnam. “It can be extremely difficult to break into foreign markets, but state-led trade missions are a proven tool to speed up market access,” Speaker Bedke said. “I am honored to have been a part of helping open doors for Idaho companies to expand internationally.”

The mission was coordinated by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Commerce. Participants represented a variety of industries including potatoes, wheat, beef, cheese, hay, livestock genetics, live cattle, specialty grains, defense equipment, fire safety equipment, erosion control and insulation building materials, aerospace solutions, medical equipment, and communications equipment.

“Idaho continues to set the bar with our commitment and dedication to building strong business relationships in Taiwan and Vietnam,” said Celia Gould, ISDA Director. “With both new and experienced exporters joining us for the mission, it was great to see these international partnerships flourish. Speaker Bedke and the entire Idaho delegation represented our state with the pride and professionalism necessary for success. I am confident that this trade mission will have a positive impact for the state in the months and years to follow.”

Taiwan was the third-largest overall foreign market for Idaho goods and services in 2016, with exports up 20 percent from 2015. In addition, Idaho took advantage of Vietnam’s strong economic growth by increasing exports to that country by 55 percent from 2015 to 2016. For more information contact Paris Dickerson.

Idaho Trade Office Managers Hold Over 60 Agriculture Meetings in Idaho

In January, Idaho’s three Trade Office Mangers visited the state and held over 60 agriculture meetings during their bi-annual two-week visit to Idaho. Companies who met with the Trade Office Managers gained invaluable market information for China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Mexico and Central America. Idaho is incredibly fortunate to have experts representing the state in the markets they serve. If you’re interested in meeting with the Trade Office Managers the next time they’re in Idaho, contact:

China: Chelsea Conlon - Idaho-China Trade Office Manager will return to Idaho July 12-20th

Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Paris Dickerson - Visit dates to be determined

Mexico and Central America: Skylar Jett - Visit dates to be determined

Idaho Companies to Meet Buyers At Food Hotel Asia Trade Show

In April, five Idaho companies will travel to Singapore for the 2018 Food Hotel Asia Trade Show sponsored by the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA). Nearly 80,000 people from over 100 countries visit 4,000 exhibitors at the show. Companies participating in the WUSATA pavilion will receive additional benefits including one-on-one meetings with pre-qualified buyers, access to interpreters, on-site assistance, post-show follow-up assistance, and a prime location within the exhibition center. If you have any questions about this show, or how to get involved with WUSATA, please email Paris Dickerson.

Frozen Foods Brochure to Promote Idaho Products in Asia

Idaho processors of frozen food products have a unique opportunity to be featured in a brochure targeting qualified frozen food buyers throughout Asia. The brochure will highlight the great suppliers in Idaho. It will be distributed directly to customer contacts and will also be used at various events throughout the year by the Idaho-Asia Trade Office. Intended markets for the brochure include Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and China. Consumer demands and preference continue to favor products from the U.S.A. and convenience foods, including frozen foods, are experiencing significant growth in this region. The cost to participate is $50 per company. If you are an Idaho frozen foods exporter and are interested in taking advantage of this low-cost opportunity, contact Paris Dickerson.

Taiwan International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Trade Show Develops Quality Customer Contacts

In November, Taiwan held the second annual International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Show in Kaohsiung. Several Idaho companies have participated over the last two years and the show continues to receive positive feedback for making connections with the right buyers. Traci Loftus of the Idaho Potato Commission notes, “The Taiwan Fruit and Vegetable Show is just getting started. The Idaho Potato Commission has participated in the first two years of this show. While not the biggest food show in Taiwan, we have had tremendous success meeting the decision-makers and buyers from both distribution and retail companies. For fresh produce, this show in November has served our purpose very well.” If you’re interested in participating in the 2018 show, please let us know by emailing Paris Dickerson.

Idaho Exporters have Numerous Opportunities to Participate in Inbound and Outbound Missions in 2018

Several Inbound and outbound trade missions are scheduled for 2018 in key global markets. Inbound missions allow U.S. companies to meet with a group of international buyers in Idaho and are a great way for companies to introduce its products without having to travel abroad. Outbound trade missions allow U.S. companies to travel to a foreign market, receive a market briefing by local representatives, visit various sites to experience the market first-hand, and attend one-on-one meetings with buyers that have been hand-selected for each company. All buyers are pre-screened to determine if they have the ability to import agricultural products from the U.S. With the help of WUSATA (Western United States Agricultural Trade Association), these missions are a very cost-effective way for food and agriculture companies to reach new markets or expand in existing ones. Below is information on WUSATA missions managed by ISDA staff:

Consumer Oriented Outbound Trade Mission to Provide Customer Contacts in Panama City, Panama & Mexico City, Mexico

Food and Agriculture companies looking to expand their sales in Latin America are invited to join a WUSATA trade mission to Panama City, Panama and Mexico City, Mexico June 10-15, 2018 to meet with buyers interested in purchasing Western U.S. products. Companies will meet one-on-one with importers, distributors, retailers, and restaurant/hotel purchasing decision makers to showcase product samples and discuss product preferences and characteristics. All participants will also receive a market briefing and overview of retail and distribution channels in the market.

Mexico continues to be one of the most important markets for Western U.S. companies. Mexico is Idaho’s second largest agricultural export market. The country also has the second largest economy in Latin America, just behind Brazil. Trade is evolving towards more modern and sophisticated offering, as retailers are increasing their distribution and differentiation of food and beverages. For more information, contact Skylar Jett at (208)332-8542.

Mark your calendars for additional trade missions to grow your business internationally. More information coming soon

Inbound Mission from Japan, Taiwan & SE Asia

• Dates: September 24 & 25
• Types of Products: Foodservice & Ingredient
• Contacts: Chelsea Conlon or Paris Dickerson

Outbound Mission to Indonesia & Philippines

• Dates: October 8-12
• Types of Products: All agriculture products
• Contact: Paris Dickerson

Outbound Mission to China

• Dates: October 15-19
• Types of Products: Foodservice & Retail
• Contact: Chelsea Conlon

A list of all events can be found at www.WUSATA.org.