Monday, June 05, 2006

MAP Branded Year Changed

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has informed SUSTA that the MAP Branded program year 2006-2007 will begin on January 1, 2007 and conclude December 31, 2007. Eligible suppliers may apply now to request funding for that time frame. Applications may be downloaded at www.susta.org/services/map_application.html.

The current program year, which was set to end on September 30, 2006, will be extended through the end of 2006. Additional funding will be available for new and returning Branded participants wishing to request funds for activities conducted between October 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006. Current Branded program participants should contact SUSTA's Branded Department to submit an amendment to their 2005-2006 application. New applicants should complete the 2005-2006 application online by signing in to www.susta.org and choosing "Branded Links" from the main menu.

If you have any questions, please contact SUSTA at (504) 568-5986.

Double Your Marketing Budget with MAP Branded

Beginning June 1, 2006, U.S. suppliers of food and agricultural products can apply to participate in the 2006-2007 Market Access Program (MAP) Branded and receive up to 50% reimbursement for their international marketing expenses. Due to ongoing upgrades to SUSTA’s online system, this year applicants will complete a paper application to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Starting June 1, new applicants may download a copy of the application from www.susta.org/services/map.html. Returning applicants from the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 program years will receive a copy of this year’s application, as well as a copy of their application from last year, via email. If you have questions about this year’s application process, please contact SUSTA at (504) 568-5986.