2008 PRESS RELEASES
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July 30, 2008
MAP BRANDED MARKETING PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT FOR SMALL AGRIBUSINESS EXPORTERS
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has good news for small agribusiness companies seeking financial support to begin marketing their branded products internationally.
The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) is accepting applications for the 2009 Market Access Program (MAP) Branded year. The MAP Branded Program assists accepted participants by reimbursing up to 50% of certain international marketing and promotion expenses, including eligible trade shows, in-store displays, advertising, trade seminars and required label changes. Click here for additional information about the program, including a list of eligible expenses and product types.
According to Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner, exports of agricultural, food and forest products from Virginia have reached over $900 million for the first five months of 2008, an increase of more than $266 million over the same period in 2007. “Clearly, exports represent a path of continued growth for the industry of agriculture. This SUSTA program will help small agribusinesses position themselves as players in the global export marketplace and I encourage potential participants to take advantage of this opportunity.”
SUSTA began accepting MAP Branded applications on August 1, 2008 on a first-come, first-approved, first-served basis for activities that will take place during the program year from January 1 through December 31, 2009. For the best chance of receiving approval for full funding by the start of the program year, VDACS encourages companies to submit their applications as soon as possible. Once all funding is allocated, the application process is over until next year. Eligible companies can download a Pre-Qualification Form and Application from the SUSTA Web site.
Program guidelines specify that eligible MAP Branded products can be as diverse as animal hides, catfish, snack foods and hot sauce. To participate in MAP Branded, companies must:
- Meet the definition of “small” according to Small Business Administration guidelines, or be a farm cooperative
- Document total gross sales (domestic and export) in the previous calendar year exceeding $100,000
- Export a product that is at least 50% U.S. agricultural origin by weight
- Control sufficient quantity to assure an uninterrupted supply to international buyers
- Market a product under a brand name
- Label the product as "Product of the USA" or "Made in the USA"
Click here to find answers to frequently asked questions about the MAP Branded Marketing Program.