Record Number of Illinois Companies Exhibit at Largest Food Industry Trade Show; Illinois Global Partnership and Illinois Department of Agriculture collaborate to bring international business opportunities to local companies.

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Global Partnership (IGP), the private-public partnership responsible for building the State of Illinois as a dynamic center for global business, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, will sponsor the largest state pavilion at North America's largest food distribution trade show, the 2006 Food Marketing Institute (FMI)/U.S. Food Export Showcase.

The FMI Show, which kicks-off Sunday, May 7 and runs through Tuesday, May 9 at McCormick Place, will provide 46 Illinois food companies--the largest-ever collection of Illinois companies at FMI--an opportunity to sell their products to customers from around the world. The FMI Show has been a significant contributor to economic growth in Illinois with companies reporting sales in excess of $4 million from the 2005 show. Illinois ranks first in the U.S. with more than $137 billion in sales of processed food products. These Illinois food processing companies employ more than 83,800 workers around the state.

International business delegations have been invited to attend on behalf of the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service including representatives from the following countries: Chile, China, Columbia, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, UAE and Vietnam.

"Illinois agriculture products account for more than $3.6 billion in annual exports. FMI is the perfect opportunity for small and mid-sized business owners to meet thousands of potential new buyers, both national and international, and grow their business," said Richard Paullin, chief operating officer of the Illinois Global Partnership. "The IGP serves as an advocate to promote agri-business and is proudly working with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to make this showing our best yet."

The IGP recently acquired the Department of Agriculture's international marketing group to promote Illinois' food offerings on the global market. The IGP works with private and public partners to establish a strong international brand for Illinois focusing on research and commercialization of food technology, bio energy and bio products.

In addition to FMI, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's Fancy Food Show, All Things Organic and the United Produce Expo & Conference will be co-located with the U.S. Food Export Showcase providing companies more exposure to an even larger audience of food buyers.

"The FMI Show is the largest show of its kind in the country, allowing participants to experience and learn about new products, industry trends, importing and exporting opportunities, and connect directly with suppliers," said Director Charles Hartke of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "The Illinois Pavilion will feature the best-of-the-best in the packaged foods business."

A complete list of this year's Illinois products and company participants follows:

Barrington Packaging              Chicago-Cook County, Illinois
 Systems (Barrington)              Department of Commerce and Economic
Beer Nuts (Bloomington)            Opportunity (Chicago)
Bella Nico (Willowbrook)          Chipper Gourmet Food, Inc. (McHenry)
Beverly's Dressings (Roanoke)     Cipriani's Pasta and Sauce (Chicago
Black Jewell Popcorn Inc.          Heights)
 (St. Francisville)               Columbus Foods (Chicago)
Brans Nut Company (Wauconda)      Coupla Guys Foods (Chicago)
Burry Foodservice (Yorkville)     Louie's Seasoning Company (Johnston
Diana's Bananas (Chicago)          City)
E.Formella & Sons Inc.            Magnolia Spice Teas, Inc. (Chicago)
 (Woodridge)                      Melina's Mexican Salsa (Melrose
Eli's Cheesecake Co. (Chicago)     Park)
Evanger's Dog and Cat Food        Moo & Oink, Inc. (Hazel Crest)
 Co., Inc. (Wheeling)             Old's Products Co. (Chicago)
Fisher Nuts by John B.            Pastorelli Foods Products (Chicago)
 Sanfilippo & Son (Elk            Plochman Inc. (Manteno)
 Grove Village)                   Raven Hot Sauce (Springfield)
Flesor's Candy (Tuscola)          Red Cactus-USA Inc (Quincy)
Fresco Juices (Schiller Park)     Rubschlager Baking (Chicago)
Glacier Beef (Morrison)           Sarica Foods (Schiller Park)
H.C. Schau & Son, Inc.            Scala Packing (Chicago)
 (Woodridge)                      Swagger Foods (Vernon Hills)
Holly Food Broker (Naperville)    Starship Sauces (Forest Park)
Illinois Center for Food          Tasty Delite Foods (Blue Island)
 Safety and Technology            Teinnovations (Warrenville)
 (Summit-Argo)                    Tuscany/Stefani Premium Foods
Iltaco/Chicago Ave. Pizza          (Chicago)
 (Chicago)                        V. Formusa Company (Chicago)
Italia Foods (Schaumburg)
Jel Sert. Co. (West Chicago)
Kasia's Pierogi (Chicago)
Lezza Spumoni & Desserts
 (Bellwood)

About The Illinois Global Partnership

The Illinois Global Partnership focuses private and public resources to build collaborative international partnerships. It is a people-to-people organization working with international, federal, state, and local groups to boost international trade and raise Illinois' profile as a global center of commerce. Established in August 2005, the IGP is a not-for-profit organization with headquarters in Chicago and offices in Springfield, Ill., Hong Kong and Mexico City. For more information, please visit www.illinoisglobal.org.