Program helps small food businesses thrive overseas: the Branded Program provides Northeast food suppliers with some $4 million in matching USDA Foreign Agriculture Service grants to promote their products internationally.

A collaboration involving several state and regional agencies is aiming to bring New Hampshire products to the world's dinner tables.

The 2008 Branded Program--administered by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, the International Trade Resource Center, the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, and Pennsylvania-based Food Export USA-Northeast--is designed to provide small New Hampshire food suppliers and others in the Northeast with some $4 million in matching USDA Foreign Agriculture Service grants to promote their products internationally.

New Hampshire has been a part of the Branded Program for about four years, said Paula Newton, market research manager for ITRC.

"The program provides cost-sharing and reimbursement for marketing and promotional activities for small food and agricultural producers," she said.

Participants in the program receive 50 percent cost reimbursement for a wide variety of eligible international marketing and promotional activities, including international and domestic trade shows.

Carolyn Kokko, ITRC's assistant training manager, called the reimbursement "a big advantage," adding, "there are so many tradeshows to take advantage of."

Abigail's Bakery, a USDA-certified organic bakery located in Weare, is a 35year-old family-run business. Jenny Chartier, the latest member of the family to run the operation, has headed the bakery for the past six years and was looking for new sales opportunities when she said she discovered the Branded Program.

"It's really hard to promote a small business in the way it needs to be given the financial constraints," she said. Chartier said the program maximizes her marketing dollars.

"It's more than just international exposure. There are a lot of trade shows in the United States that will help us reach out and meet new audiences," she said.

Chartier said she recently completed her company's paperwork, so funds have yet to come through, but she's already receiving some benefits from the program.

"Now, we're looking at setting up meetings with buyers," she said.

In recent years, the company has expanded to broaden its wholesale distribution--including a new opportunity at 25 Hannaford Brothers grocery stores in the region--but Chartier has a goal of making at least 15 percent of her sales from international business.

One important qualification for companies interested in participating in the program is that producers must be able to handle the increased demand.

Companies selected for the program must make approximately $100,000 in annual sales and be able to fulfill increased orders.

Participants must have less than 500 employees.

Kokko said some five New Hampshire companies received funds from the Branded Program last year.

"The largest award was $23,000 in one year," she said. "And five companies have already signed up for buyer's missions this year."

For more information about the Branded Program, visit foodexportusa.org or brandedprogram.org.