Magic Seasoning Sees Success with SUSTA

A recent story by WDSU News covered Magic Seasoning, a company owned by chef Paul Prudhomme and its success nationally and internationally. The company, located in southeast Louisiana, is finding much success in exporting and expanding their reach to more and more countries. SUSTA received recognition as a major part of Magic Seasoning's export success.

"Anna Zuniga, Magic Seasoning's director of international sales and marketing, said SUSTA's assistance has been vital for its export process....""Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to afford it," said Zuniga. "It's a huge expense but they reimburse 50 percent [for travel], so that's a great help.""

We at SUSTA are thrilled to be part of a great success story like Magic Seasoning. Watch the report here at WDSU.com. To learn how you can receive help for exporting activities, visit SUSTA's Services page. 

Jerry Hingle
CEO and Executive Director
Southern United States Trade Association

Jerry Hingle on Exporting for Small Farmers

Our Executive Director, Jerry Hingle, was featured on TradingCharts.com in an interview about the difficulties farmers face when finding the right foreign market for their product. For many small farmers in the south, resources are limited, and the thought of exporting their goods to an unknown foreign market is intimidating. That's when Jerry Hingle proposes seeking SUSTA's help.

"Arkansas is in the middle of a "golden era" of agricultural exports, as its producers are finding markets throughout the world for products such as rice, poultry and cotton, as well as value-added products like sauces and condiments. He said the state has seen a 60 percent increase in exports over the past five years."

Mr. Hingle goes on to explain that China is the top export market for Arkansas:

"'They like our food,' he said, adding the regulations under which food is prepared and imported are more strict than those in place in China, resulting in a higher quality product. 'U.S. food is considered safe and is in demand.' He expects that demand to increase as China's middle class advances."

Read more from the article to learn about the benefits of exporting your small business at: Jerry Hingle on TradingCharts.com

Export Assistance from SUSTA Starting August 1

Small businesses are constantly looking for new customers. Reaching a new market requires meeting new buyers, educating new customers, and advertising. Starting August 1, SUSTA will accept applications for the 2012 Market Access Program (MAP) Branded. The Branded program is designed to help food and agricultural companies enter export markets with 50% reimbursement for promotional costs, such as advertising, exhibiting at trade shows, and changes to packaging and labels. Download the Pre-Qualification Form from the SUSTA website today to double your international marketing budget for next year!

Eligible companies are small according to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) standards, have yearly sales of at least $100,000, and promote a brand-name product that is at least 50% U.S. agricultural origin. MAP Branded is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and administered to southern U.S. companies by SUSTA. Companies located in any of SUSTA’s member states can apply for funding: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Shanghai chefs study American cuisine at Nicholls with SUSTA

The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsored the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University chef's training program. This year 12 visiting chefs from Shanghai, China attended.

The training featured culinary demonstrations, lectures and field trips designed to expose the visiting chefs to the rich traditions of Louisianan, Southern Soul, Cajun culture, Latin American, Native American and Appalachian cuisines.

Click here to see more!

Williamsburg Winery Using SUSTA and Winning

Williamsburg Winery in Virginia received three medals this week at the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards held in London.

The London International Wine Fair is the largest wine show in the world. SUSTA assisted seven Virginia companies to exhibit in front of an audience of more than 25,000 international wine buyers, and winery representatives. There were over 12 thousand wines from 44 countries to judge. Williamsburg Winery was awarded a Silver medal for their 2008 Adagio, a Bronze medal to the 2009 Late Harvest Vidal, and a Commended Award to the 2006 Gabriel Archer Reserve.

Master Winemaker, Matthew Meyer, represented the Williamsburg Winery and thanked SUSTA and the Virginia Wine Marketing office for helping make the experience happen.

Congratulations from the entire staff at SUSTA!

SBA, Inc. Magazine and AT&T Collaborate to Promote Exporting

SBA, Inc. Magazine and AT&T have come together to make a series of videos to inspire and encourage American small businesses to actively pursue exporting. The videos start with the answer to “why export"? You can watch other subjects like finding your first customer, planning for export success, how to connect with foreign buyers and case studies among others. The videos are posted at http://www.inc.com/exporting. Once a Southern U.S. company is ready to take the next step into exporting, they should know that there are programs that the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA) manages to help the process be more affordable and manageable. SUSTA helps organize a variety of trade shows, expos and missions at a reduced cost to participants. Also, for approved participants SUSTA reimburses up to 50% of certain international marketing and promotion expenses. Please go to http://www.susta.org/index.html to learn more.

SUSTA Director Featured on WWL TV

In a news story broadcast by WWL TV in New Orleans, SUSTA Executive Director Jerry Hingle comments on the impact that the current unrest in Egypt may have on agricultural exports going to the region, and how this could affect U.S. exporters.

SUSTA Outreach Events

SUSTA collaborates with our member states and other industry groups to offer educational seminars and company meetings to discuss how our programs can help small businesses export. The Market Access Program (MAP) Branded and Generic activities are two ways we can help make international trade more affordable and low-risk for food and agricultural companies. Now it is easier than ever to keep up with SUSTA's export seminars! Check out our listings for events near you this year: http://www.susta.org/services/outreach_events.html

Home Style Foods Success Using SUSTA

David Martin, president and CEO of Home Style Foods L.L.C., is a successful Atlanta-based sausage processor and distributor. When Martin felt he was ready to take the next step and get his business into exporting, he found help with SUSTA and was able to enter the Brazilian market. His company was featured in the "Tapping the Global Markets" article in the December 2010 issue of Black Enterprise magazine. Check out more company success stories on our website and see how SUSTA programs can help you get into international markets.

Oklahoma Chef Blogs from SUSTA Pavilion at SIAL Paris

Chef Robert Black from Good Egg Dining Group blogged from France while demonstrating southern U.S. products in SUSTA's pavilion at SIAL 2010, The Global Food Marketplace. SUSTA's Executive Director Jerry Hingle attended the show, where 11 southern U.S. companies participated in the pavilion, showcasing over 50 products. Chef Black helped bring these products to life and attract more buyers to sample the items on display. Check out his videos and commentary here.

In 2011, SUSTA is planning to sponsor more than 80 Generic events like the pavilion at SIAL, Paris. Visit http://www.susta.org/ to find more opportunities to expand your business and bring the flavor of the south to the world.