7-26-2005 |
|
|
FANCY FOODS SHOW PROVIDES BONANZA FOR STATE AGRIBUSINESSES West Virginia agribusinesses generated 800 trade leads at the New York Fancy Foods Show, held July 10-12 in New York City. The seven West Virginia companies that attended also expect to generate at least $250,000 in new business over the next 12 months as a result of contacts made through the West Virginia Pavilion, which was sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) and Tamarack. "The initial reports coming back from the companies that attended have been very encouraging," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "They were able to make many valuable contacts and these contacts are all ready paying off. The buyers in New York tend to be in the same niche markets as our companies. They're specifically looking for the types of products our companies offer." According to WVDA Marketing and Development Division Director Jean Smith, the New York show is particularly valuable to state producers because more of the buyers tend to be from individually owned stores rather than large chains. "This was our first time working with the West Virginia Development Office on this type of event, and I think combining our resources really resulted in a great outcome for our businesses," Smith said. Poochie's Choice owner Jenny Dinsmore made her first trip to the New York show this year, and was impressed with West Virginia 's promotional efforts and the results of her company's participation. "People came looking for us. We wrote six orders while we were there, five press members stopped to talk with us, we had 184 business inquiries at our booth and another 74 requested that we send them information," Dinsmore said. " West Virginia has to rank very close to number one among states in its promotion of specialty foods. I spoke with a number of people from other states and they were simply amazed at what our state was doing for the companies at the show." What was the surprising niche markets she discovered for her gourmet dog treats? Coffee shops. "Dogs are more a part of the family than ever, and people who typically buy on the higher end for themselves also buy on the higher end for their pets." The Show went so well that Dinsmore is considering automating some of her production to meet demand. She said she was approached by a company that equips other pet treat makers. "Contacts do work both ways at these shows," said WVDA Marketing Specialist Cindy Martel. "We expect these shows to be learning and networking experiences, as well as sales opportunities. We try to provide our expertise on issues that our companies are likely to face, in both the domestic and the international arenas." Besides developing promotional materials and setting up face-to-face meetings with domestic buyers, Martel said she educates producers about consumer preferences in other countries, export requirements and ways to contact international Embassies. "I think that overall, this is the best show of its type I've attended," Martel continued. "Companies took advantage of one-on-one meetings. Plus, they really worked hard on following up with contacts." Companies making the trip to New York were Tasty Blend Foods, DeFluri's Fine Chocolates, Thistledew Farm, Rus-Lyn Confections/Poochie's Choice, Smokey's on the Gorge and Uncle Bunk's. Vita Specialty Foods of Martinsburg also attended the show, but had a booth separate from the West Virginia Pavilion. The New York Fancy Foods Show is the premier event of its type in the country. The 2005 show featured 2,100 exhibitors and had 21,000 visitors, including retail buyers, brokers, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and media members.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
|
|
|
|
©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Contact the Webmaster
|
|
|
|