Headline: Maine receives USDA/Food Export USA Award

Body: Portland, Maine – The Maine International Trade Center and the Maine Department of Agriculture received the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Export USA award for its “Record increase in food export companies” registering for USDA’s Market Access Program.  The Market Access Program provides funds to small businesses for up to 50% of the costs of international trade show and marketing expenses. 

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, VP of the Maine International Trade Center and Mary Ellen Johnston, Marketing Manager of Maine Department of Agriculture were at Alexandria, VA to receive the award.  “This is a real measure of the increased number of Maine food and wood companies exporting” says Bisaillon-Cary. “These marketing dollars can make a real difference for Maine companies launching products abroad”.

Cal Hancock, owner of Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. agrees, “The marketing program is not complicated and the marketing dollars let us exhibit in a nationwide food show giving us broad scale exposure.” Maine industries that have participated in the Export marketing program include blueberry, maple syrup, cedar products, and value added food products such as jams and fancy foods.  

The Maine International Trade Center is a public / private partnership providing international trade development assistance to Maine businesses that are active, or seeking to become active internationally.  The Trade Center is a member-based organization with offices in Portland, Lewiston and Bangor.