By STAN MADDUX

Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Food producers in Indiana could see more sales overseas if a new marketing venture takes root.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), citing international trade as remaining critical for Hoosier farmers, is developing stronger ties with the Food Export Assoc. of the Midwest USA. Robert Warner has been hired to serve as the ISDA’s International Trade Program manager.

One of his tasks is to educate food producers about their options for expanding overseas and connecting them with the group, also known Food Export-Midwest, which offers programs aimed at breaking into foreign markets.

“Some companies shy away from exporting because they are unsure what their first step should be,” said Warner, who explained he will also serve as a guide for producers already in markets overseas wanting to expand to other parts of the globe.

Food Export-Midwest, based in Chicago, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1969. Its mission is to promote the export of processed food and agricultural products from 12 states in the Midwest. The group provides a wide range of services to facilitate trade between local agribusinesses and importers across the world.

One of the services is called the Branded Program, which provides a 50 percent cost reimbursement for international marketing activities on fees for overseas trade shows, freight and other things such as label modification.

“My goal is to be that point of contact for them to connect to Food Export-Midwest and take full advantage of these valuable programs,” said Warner.

“We want food and agricultural companies that are looking to expand internationally to know that resources and tools are available through Food Export-Midwest,” said Melissa Rekeweg, ISDA interim director.

Warner comes from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., where he served as small business ombudsman. He was previously involved for more than 15 years in banking and finance, gaining expertise in areas of commercial lending and risk management.

According to ISDA officials, he will do other tasks such as organize trade missions, host international buying delegations and represent agricultural companies in the state at trade shows in the United States and abroad.

According to the Food Export-Midwest website, its strategy includes exporter education, market entry and market promotion. It is one of four regional trade groups that assist companies with export promotion.

Three other regional groups – Food Export Northeast-USA, Southern United States Trade Assoc. and the Western U.S Agricultural Trade Assoc. – provide similar services for companies outside the Food Export-Midwest 12-state region. The 12 member states are North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.