December 4, 2008

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (Food Export - Midwest) announce today the 2009 Branded Program, a cost-share service assisting small and medium sized Michigan companies to promote their brand name food and agricultural products in international markets.

“The Branded Program enables Michigan companies the ability to stretch their international marketing dollars twice as far and grow their exporting business,” said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDA International Marketing Manager. “MDA is eager to promote Michigan food and agriculture products in the global marketplace.”

The program, funded from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, reimburses eligible companies between $2,500 and $300,000 for eligible marketing activities.

Once approved, participants receive a 50 percent cost reimbursement on certain eligible marketing and promotional endeavors such as attending international trade shows, advertising, public relations, in-store promos, product demonstrations, product literature, freight cost for samples, package and label modification, and more. The program runs from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

For additional information on the Branded Program or to obtain a pre-qualification worksheet, visit www.brandedprogram.org or contact Zmitko-Somers at 517-241-3628 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov.