Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 11/27/09

The U.S. Meat Export Federation announced it is now accepting applications for its fiscal 2010 matching funds program to help small U.S. companies promote their branded U.S. red meat products in international markets.

USMEF administers the red meat portion of USDA's Branded Products Promotion Program which helps small companies gain entry and establish their branded products in international markets. Promotions funded under this program must be conducted between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010. Applications will be accepted as long as funds are available.

Participation in the program is limited to small companies as defined by the Small Business Administration, i.e., eligible companies with 500 or fewer employees, or be a producer cooperative or an association.

Companies participating in the program use their own money, leveraged with matching funds from the program, to develop export markets for their U.S. red meat exports. The 16 companies involved in the 2008 program exported pork and beef to markets that included Mexico, Japan and Europe and reported sales of U.S. beef and pork valued at almost $12 million.

Funds from this program can help companies conduct a variety of activities in international markets, including:

• Attend trade fairs and exhibits, including U.S. domestic trade shows with large international attendance
• Offset costs of promotional materials used in connection with a promotion
• Help pay for costs of retail promotions, including fees for chefs, costumes, signs, displays and fees for demonstration staff
• Help cover the cost of seminars, including interpreters, seminar materials, set-up costs/room rental, slides and production
• Translate educational materials such as company brochures and product sheets
• Conduct retail and HRI promotions.

Companies interested in the program should contact Barbara Watson at the USMEF Denver office at (303) 623-6328 or by e-mail at bwatson@usmef.org.

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