Since 2002, Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program has supported Agri-Mark, Inc. dba Cabot Creamery Coop’s export growth in over 15 countries during the last 20 years. The Market Access Program (MAP) funded has supported the Waitsfield, Vermont supplier over the past two decades in its marketing efforts to increase brand awareness in multiple international markets. Starting the program in 2003, the Vermont supplier has used the Branded Program to market its products over the years to expand exports to the markets of Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, China, and the Netherlands.
In 2021, Agri-Mark, Inc. dba Cabot Creamery Coop participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program to expand brand awareness in China. The Vermont Supplier used its allocated funding to make label/package modifications to one of its whey powder products to meet new labeling requirements. At the closing of the program year, Virginie Saulnier, VP of Dairy Global Sales with Agri-Mark, shared, “The Branded Program cost-reimbursement was perfect for reducing the cost to remain compliant with changing market regulations and for expanding our business.” Agri-Mark reported earning $125,000 in sales to China that year through their marketing efforts. The supplier also projected to complete $250,000 in sales to the market over the following twelve months while gaining one new foreign buyer contact and establishing one new agent relationship.
In 2022, Agri-Mark participated in the MAP-funded program to exhibit at Supply Side West and the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Show. These two domestic shows attract various international buyers. That same year, the Waitsfield, Vermont company also used Branded Program funds to exhibit at Food Ingredients Asia in Thailand. Specifically, Agri-Mark used the funds to receive reimbursement for their booth space and furnishings and to produce a new brochure to distribute at the Food Ingredients Asia Show. As a result of participating in the Branded Program and attending these trade shows, Agri-Mark earned 17 new foreign contacts, and they shared a projection to complete $800,000 in sales over the next 12 months at the program’s end.
The Vermont supplier again participated in the program this past year. In 2023, the coop used its funds to focus its marketing efforts on South Korea and Thailand. The supplier used its allocated funding to attend foreign trade shows, participate in a Focused Trade Mission to Mexico, ship product samples to prospective buyers, produce promotional literature in foreign languages, and produce promotional product giveaway items. Food Export awaits the supplier’s results for the year once they submit their final program reimbursement requests.
Since 2003, when Agri-Mark started participating in the Market Access Program (MAP)- funded Branded Program, the Branded Program has supported Agri-Mark in expanding and marketing its whey powders worldwide.
Virginie Saulnier, VP of Dairy Global Sales with Agri-Mark, shared, “Agri-Mark is very appreciative of the Branded Program and its professional programs to educate our international sales team and support our export sales development efforts over the last 20 years.”
Agri-Mark, Inc. has participated in Food Export events since 2002, participating in the Branded Program, Buyers Missions, and Food Show PLUS! activities, and taking advantage of export education programs are part of Food Export’s Online Product Catalog.
The above photo is of Virginie Saulnier and a colleague at Agri-Mark’s booth at Supply Side West 2023.
Founded in 1919, Agri-Mark offers a variety of dairy products, including its award-winning cheddar cheeses, dairy products, and whey powders. They are the “premier dairy cooperative in the Northeast USA,” producing more than 370 million gallons of fresh farm milk yearly for more than 600 dairy farm families in New England and New York. The cooperative has four production facilities in Cabot, Vermont; Middlebury, Vermont; Chateaugay, New York; and West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.
