Food Export

What Food Export does

Food Export is a non-profit export promotion organization comprising two affiliated entities — Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast — funded primarily through USDA's Market Access Program (MAP). Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Chicago with a second regional headquarters in Philadelphia, the organization employs 51–100 staff and serves nearly 4,000 U.S. small and medium-sized food and agricultural businesses seeking to start or expand international sales. Its core constituency is U.S. SMB food, ingredient, seafood, pet care, and wood product exporters that lack the internal resources to navigate cross-border regulatory, logistical, and buyer-discovery challenges independently.

The organization operates a three-pillar service platform: Export Education (Export Essentials Online with 11 modules, an 8-course Export Readiness Program, seminars, webinars, and the paid Export Navigator consultation service); Market Entry (Buyers Missions, Focused Trade Missions, Food Show PLUS! at international trade shows, Market Builder, Virtual Consultations with In-Market Representatives, Product Showcases, Trade Leads, and Lead Qualification); and Market Promotion (the Branded Program offering up to 50% cost reimbursement on eligible international marketing activities). Underlying the platform is a network of 19 In-Market Representatives positioned across 12+ global regions working in coordination with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service posts, supplemented by content distribution through the U.S. Foodlink newsletter, Global Food Marketer® publication, podcast, and Food for Thought blog.

The revenue model is government-funded non-profit, with the majority of core services delivered free or at nominal cost due to MAP subsidies. Ancillary fee revenue comes from paid consultations ($30–$100 per session across seminars, virtual consultations, Export Navigator, and product showcases) and from the cost-shared Branded Program reimbursements. Go-to-market is direct-to-exporter with no intermediary channel structure; regional liaisons handle supplier relationships across Midwest and Northeast U.S. member states. There is no venture funding, no parent company, and no private equity ownership — the entities operate as independent MAP-funded non-profits.

Name

Food Export

Legal name

Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA–Northeast

Website

https://foodexport.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Food Export is a USDA-funded non-profit alliance (Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast) that delivers export education, market entry services, and 50%-cost-shared marketing to nearly 4,000 U.S. SMB food and agricultural exporters via 19 in-market representatives globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Export Promotion Services

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Import/Export & Cross-Border Food Commodity Trading (AFAIAKAL)

Keywords

• Export promotion services
• International trade development
• Agricultural export assistance
• Market entry programs
• Food export education

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. USDA Market Access Program Funding: Food Export is a non-profit organization funded primarily by USDA's Market Access Program (MAP). This government funding supports their export promotion activities and programs for U.S. food and agricultural businesses.
2. Export Navigator Service Fees: 30-minute consultations providing tailored answers to export questions. Participants receive answers to up to 4 predetermined export questions from export experts.
3. Seminar Registration Fees: In-person seminars on export readiness, HS Code classification, shipping and logistics, documentation, pricing, and finding buyers. Registration fee of $30 per attendee.
4. Virtual Consultation Fees: 30-minute one-on-one video consultations with In-Market Representatives for market-specific questions and export planning assistance. Registration price of $60.
5. Product Showcase Fees: Registration fee for product showcases at international trade shows like Fine Food Australia 2026. Registration price of $100 per supplier.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Food Export is a non-profit alliance (Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast) that provides export education, market entry facilitation, and marketing cost reimbursement to U.S. small food and agricultural businesses seeking to expand into international markets. Funded primarily by USDA's Market Access Program, the organization offers educational programs (Export Essentials Online, Export Readiness Program, Seminars, Webinars), facilitated market entry services (Buyers Missions, Focused Trade Missions, Virtual Consultations, Product Showcases, Food Show PLUS!), and a Branded Program providing up to 50% cost reimbursement for international marketing activities.

Product overview

Food Export (Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA–Northeast) is a nonprofit organization funded by USDA's Market Access Program that offers a comprehensive suite of export education, market entry, and market promotion services for U.S. small food and agricultural businesses. The organization operates a platform-plus-services model providing both self-directed educational resources (Export Essentials Online with 11 modules, Export Readiness Program with 8 courses, Seminars, Webinars) and facilitated market access programs (Buyers Missions, Focused Trade Missions, Virtual Consultations, Product Showcases, Food Show PLUS!™). Additional services include the Export Navigator Service for personalized consultations, the Branded Program for marketing cost reimbursement (up to 50%), specialized Seafood Program and Wood Products Program, plus market intelligence publications through U.S. Foodlink newsletter and Global Food Marketer®.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Export Readiness Program An 8-course online program (8-16 hours total) designed for businesses new to exporting that helps participants build a customized export policy covering operational, compliance, pricing, logistics, and strategic considerations.
• Export Navigator Service A 30-minute consultation service ($50) providing tailored answers to export questions, with navigators available for Documentation & Certificates, Finance, Legal, Market & Product Research, Package and Labeling, Regulatory, Shipping & Logistics, and Seafood topics.
• Export Essentials Online An 11-module online course covering fundamentals of exporting including product classification (HS Codes), market research, free trade agreements, pricing strategies, international terms of sale, shipping and logistics, food export regulations, documentation procedures, payment and financing, and export toolbox resources.
• Seminars In-person export readiness seminars held in various states covering topics including Why Export, Export Readiness Evaluation, HS Code Workshop, Shipping and Logistics, Documentation, Pricing, and Finding Buyers.
• Buyers Missions Program connecting U.S. suppliers with international buyers at major food shows through pre-scheduled one-on-one business matchmaking sessions, including events like Summer in the Cities Buyers Mission.
• Focused Trade Missions Destination-specific trade missions bringing U.S. producers to international markets for business matchmaking with local distributors and buyers, such as missions to Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Canada.
• Food Show PLUS! Service enabling U.S. suppliers to participate in international food shows by providing booth space, sample display, pre-show briefings, and post-show reports with trade contact lists.
• Market Builder Program offering customized market entry strategies for specific target markets with sustained engagement and support.
• Virtual Consultations 30-minute one-on-one video consultations with Food Export's In-Market Representatives for market-specific questions and export planning guidance, available for markets including China, Japan, Canada, and others.
• Branded Program Market promotion program offering up to 50% reimbursement on international marketing activities including promotions, demonstrations, advertising, packaging/labeling, marketing materials, and point-of-sale materials.
• Seafood Program Specialized export program for U.S. seafood suppliers offering market entry, promotion, and education services tailored to the seafood industry.
• Wood Products Program Export development program for U.S. wood and forest product companies expanding into international markets.
• Product Showcases Service for suppliers not exhibiting at trade shows to have their products and literature displayed with samples shared with key prospects, including events like Product Showcase at Fine Food Australia 2026.
• Trade Leads Qualified trade leads connecting U.S. suppliers with verified international buyers seeking specific food and agricultural products.
• Lead Qualification Service helping suppliers identify and qualify potential international buyers and partners for their products.
• Webinars Educational webinars providing up-to-date exporter intelligence regarding specific markets, logistics, trade financing, documentation, and buyer follow-up practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Omaha Protein Popcorn generated $75,000 in projected sales from first Buyers Mission and $56,000+ in anticipated sales from second mission
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GCC Distributors and ImporterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood Export connects U.S. exporters with GCC-region distributors and importers including Al Khayrat International Co., American Food Supply LLC, Hudson Exports Inc., International American Supermarket Corp, and The Food Shop for market access in Saudi Arabia and broader GCC region.
• USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Export leverages FAS market data, GAIN reports, and FAS Post intelligence throughout their market profiles and program delivery. In-Market Representatives work in coordination with FAS posts worldwide.
• SMH (In-Market Representative China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobin Wang, Director of SMH, serves as Food Export's China In-Market Representative with 14+ years of experience in importing, wholesaling, and retail marketing of consumer goods in China. Provides virtual consultations for U.S. exporters exploring China market opportunities.
• Market Makers Inc. (Japan Representative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJeffrey McNeill, President of Market Makers Inc., has represented Food Export in Japan since 2004 with 25 years of living and working in Japan. Previously Director of Marketing for Ore-Ida Foods Japan. Provides market expertise and buyer connections for U.S. exporters to Japan.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA): USDA MAP-funded non-profit that mirrors Food Export's mission of export promotion for U.S. food and agricultural businesses, serving Southern U.S. states with Buyers Missions, Branded Program-equivalent cost-share, and market entry services.
• Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA): USDA MAP-funded non-profit providing export education, market entry, and brand promotion services to Western U.S. food and agricultural producers — a direct regional counterpart to Food Export's Midwest/Northeast mandate.
• U.S. Meat Export Federation: Non-profit trade association running USDA cooperator-funded international marketing and promotion programs for U.S. red meat exporters. Operates a comparable cost-share model and overseas representative network serving a specific commodity vertical.
• U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC): USDA cooperator-funded non-profit that promotes U.S. dairy product exports internationally through in-market representation, trade missions, and education — directly analogous to Food Export's mission but focused on the dairy category.
• USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC): USDA-funded non-profit that conducts international market development for U.S. poultry and egg exporters, including overseas trade missions, buyer matchmaking, and promotional funding — closely comparable export-promotion model to Food Export.

Broad incumbents

• USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS): The federal agency that administers MAP and sources the GAIN market intelligence that Food Export consumes; sets the policy framework, funding levels, and broader export-promotion agenda within which Food Export operates.
• U.S. Commercial Service (International Trade Administration): Department of Commerce trade-promotion arm operating a global network of Commercial Specialists and trade missions; offers overlapping export assistance, matchmaking, and education but across all U.S. industries, not just food/agriculture.

Regional players

• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japanese government-affiliated trade and investment promotion organization analogous to Food Export's mandate — providing market entry services, buyer matchmaking, and education — but serving Japanese exporters and importers in the opposite direction.
• Export Development Canada (EDC): Canadian Crown corporation providing market intelligence, matchmaking, and export financing support similar to Food Export's services, but for Canadian exporters and from a different geography — useful model benchmark for government-backed trade-promotion scale.

Others

• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA): Umbrella association representing state agriculture departments that co-fund and participate in regional trade groups like Food Export, SUSTA, and WUSATA; adjacent enabling organization rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FoodExports
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCv3Z66nBR6EozBBmHeIhANA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FoodExports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/food-export-midwest-and-food-export-northeast
• Instagraminstagram.com/foodexportsusa?igshid=1ka3l6l3lg6cs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Food Export