Since 2022, Popzup LLC dba Popzup Popcorn participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program to gain brand recognition in Canada for their sweet, savory, seasoned popcorn. During the company’s first year of participation in the Market Access Program funded Branded Program, the popcorn supplier used its allocated funding to offset the costs of attending trade shows. These efforts helped the Dover, New Hampshire supplier generate substantial international interest in their products. Popzup Popcorn company also gained new distributor and retailer relationships in the Canadian market and completed an export sale to the market for the first time. The sale was to one of Canada’s largest specialty food distributors, whom they met on the trade show floor at a show they exhibited, thanks to the support of Food Export’s Branded Program funding.
In 2023, Popzup Popcorn participated in the Branded Program for the second time, continuing to use its program funding to gain brand awareness in Canada. The popcorn supplier used its funding to ship product samples to prospective buyers. The company’s marketing approach helped it gain $6,000 in new export sales to Canada, 12 new foreign buyer contacts, and 4 new distributors.
Julie Lapham, Founder and CEO of Popzup, said, “It’s the Branded Program that puts us in front of these people.” With products already on the shelves in some Canadian retail stores, Popzup is projecting repeat orders from this retailer and further growth within the Canadian market. Popzup is using the Branded Program to help with the costs of French-language packaging requirements in Canada, which is essential to continue Canadian retailer relationships.
Popzup Popcorn was founded in 2016 by Julie and Marty Lapham, a husband-and-wife duo. Together, they created their product line of popcorn and seasonings. Their goal was to focus on health and sustainability. Popzup Popcorn is gluten-free and non-GMO. They are currently working towards B-Corp certification and are always looking for new ways to decrease their carbon footprint, such as having their recycling program.
Popzup LLC dba Popzup Popcorn has actively participated in the Branded Program and other Food Export activities since 2022. The New Hampshire supplier is already contracted to participate in Food Export-Northeast’s 2024 Branded Program.
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.
