Calendar of Events and Promotions

 AUGUST

4-10 Idaho Farmers Market Week, Statewide
Idaho farmers markets are a great source for quality local products and truly showcase the bounty of Idaho agriculture. In honor of USDA’s proclamation of August 4-10, 2013 as “National Farmers Market Week”, farmers markets throughout the state will be celebrating “Idaho Farmers Market Week” with special events including chef demonstrations, product sampling, canning demonstrations, and fun activities for the kids. For more information about markets in your area, or for ideas and resources to help your market celebrate Idaho Farmers Market Week, contact Kim Polzin.

5 China Inbound Buying Mission* , Idaho
A group of foodservice importers and distributors will be visiting Idaho and surrounding states. They will be meeting with interested Idaho companies and sourcing products including wine, dairy products and other foodservice products. This is a great opportunity to learn about the China market in a low cost, low risk avenue. For more information, contact Katlin Davis.

7-16 China Trade Officer Manager Visit, Statewide
Xu Fang, Idaho’s Trade Office Manager in China, will be in Idaho to meet with companies interested in expanding exports to the China market. If your company is interested in meeting with Xu, contact Katlin Davis.

13-27 Taiwan Trade Officer Manager Visit, Statewide
Eddie Yen, Idaho-Asia Trade Office Manager based in Taipei, Taiwan, will be in Idaho to meet with companies interested in expanding exports to the Taiwan and Southeast Asian markets. If your company is interested in meeting with Eddie, contact Kim Polzin.

SEPTEMBER

1-30 Idaho Preferred Month
 September has been proclaimed Idaho Preferred Month and will include special events, television and radio advertising, retail promotions and more. For the seventh year, Governor Otter will proclaim September as Idaho Preferred month to draw consumer attention to the fact that it is the height of harvest season. Eating and drinking locally produced products not only assures freshness and quality, but it also supports local farmers, ranchers, processors, and communities. Celebrate Idaho Preferred month by enjoying locally produced fruits, vegetables, wines, meats, breads, dairy products and specialty foods – and don’t forget to look for the Idaho Preferred logo when buying fall landscaping plants and trees. For more information contact Leah Clark.

2-5 Shanghai and Hangzhou Outbound Mission*
In 2012, China’s agricultural imports from the U.S. continued an upward trend to reach a record $30 billion. Shanghai is the commercial and financial center of mainland China, experiencing significant retail and foodservice development in recent years. Located less than an hour away from Shanghai, Hangzhou is an attractive tourist destination for wealthy Shanghai consumers and is considered one of the top ten economic development zones in China. WUSATA will conduct a trade mission to Shanghai and Hangzhou, China September 2-5, 2013. WUSATA will cover the costs of hotel rooms (up to five nights) and interpreter fees, and provide group transportation to guided retail and foodservice tours. Additionally, WUSATA will schedule meetings with key importers and distributors from the retail and foodservice sectors customized for each participant. For more information, contact Kim Peterson.

7 and 28 Idaho Preferred Day kicks off BSU Football Home Game Season
In celebration of Idaho Preferred Month and the kick-off of Boise State Football season, Idaho Preferred will host an old fashioned fruit stand at the opening game at Bronco stadium. Fresh seasonal fruits from Idaho Preferred orchards will be provided to BSU fans prior to start of the game. The promotion will remind consumers that September is the height of fresh produce season and that local fruits and vegetables are a great addition to tailgating menus. Idaho products will also be highlighted September 28 th at a home game against Southern Miss, and will be part of the USA Onion Grill-Off sponsored by the USA Onions/ Idaho-E. Oregon Onion Committee.

9-20 Mexico Trade Officer Manager Visit, Statewide
Armando Orellana, Idaho’s Trade Office Manager in Mexico, will be in Idaho to meet with companies interested in expanding exports to the Mexican market. If your company is interested in meeting with Armando, contact Amanda Gibson.

11 Export Excellence, Boise
Accelerate profitable export growth during a 12-week program that includes three full-day training sessions in Boise. Participating companies are assigned an export coach from ISDA and a BSU international intern to assist in the creation of a customized, peer-reviewed export growth business plan. Over the course of three once-a-month, full-day training and networking sessions, companies will develop working relationships with export experts from the shipping, logistics, law, government, and finance industries. Each company is assigned an intern to conduct thorough market research specific to the company’s products and markets of interest. Space is very limited and only a few companies are selected each session, so interested agricultural exporters are encouraged to contact Kim Peterson as soon as possible. For more information, see attached flyer.

15-18 Taiwan Flour Mills Association Delegation, Statewide
Representatives from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association (TFMA) will visit Idaho in September to sign an agreement supporting U.S. wheat exports to Taiwan. The millers are from member companies of TFMA based in Taipei. TFMA imports wheat on behalf of all 26 Taiwanese flour mills and has been a loyal customer of Idaho wheat producers for many years. Approximately 50 percent of Idaho’s wheat crop is sent to overseas markets each year.

23-24 Mexico and Central America Produce Inbound Buying Mission*, Idaho Produce buyers from wholesale distributors, retail supermarket chains, and food service companies will visit Idaho to source onions, potatoes, tree fruit, and other produce. Idaho companies will have the opportunity to meet with buyers from Mexico and Central America to arrange sales and shipments. To register to meet with the entire delegation, sign up for both the Mexico and Central America inbounds through the WUSATA event page. For more information, or to participate, contact Amanda Gibson.

OCTOBER

9 Export Excellence, Boise
Accelerate profitable export growth during a 12-week program that includes three full-day training sessions in Boise. Participating companies are assigned an export coach from ISDA and a BSU international intern to assist in the creation of a customized, peer-reviewed export growth business plan. Over the course of three once-a-month, full-day training and networking sessions, companies will develop working relationships with export experts from the shipping, logistics, law, government, and finance industries. Each company is assigned an intern to conduct thorough market research specific to the company’s products and markets of interest. Space is very limited and only a few companies are selected each session, so interested agricultural exporters are encouraged to contact Kim Peterson as soon as possible. For more information, see attached flyer.

NOVEMBER

13 Export Excellence, Boise
Accelerate profitable export growth during a 12-week program that includes three full-day training sessions in Boise. Participating companies are assigned an export coach from ISDA and a BSU international intern to assist in the creation of a customized, peer-reviewed export growth business plan. Over the course of three once-a-month, full-day training and networking sessions, companies will develop working relationships with export experts from the shipping, logistics, law, government, and finance industries. Each company is assigned an intern to conduct thorough market research specific to the company’s products and markets of interest. Space is very limited and only a few companies are selected each session, so interested agricultural exporters are encouraged to contact Kim Peterson as soon as possible. For more information, see attached flyer.

12-15 Expo Agroalimentaria
The State of Idaho will have a booth at the Expo Agroalimentaria show in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico representing Idaho producers and products. The show attracts farmers primarily from Central and Southern Mexico and is one of the most important in the agricultural sector. Buyers and sellers from the entire agricultural productive chain participate, from raw commodities and fertilizer to technology and equipment. For more information, or to join Idaho’s booth, contact Amanda Gibson.

15-23 Idaho Governor’s Trade Mission to Russia
Governor Otter will lead an Idaho trade delegation to Russia with stops in Moscow (November 18-19) and St. Petersburg (November 21-22). Russia a large and growing market for a wide range of food and agriculture products including beef and dairy cattle, fruit, vegetables, beef and dairy products and many more. Russia recently became a member of the WTO which means improved market access and tariff reductions for many products. The Russian economy is ranked 11 th in the world and Russia leads the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) in per capita GDP. Idaho companies that are interested in participating in the first State of Idaho trade mission to Russia should contact Katlin Davis.

 WINTER

 TBD Taiwan Outbound Mission*
 Taiwan is a sophisticated market with expanding opportunities for Idaho agricultural producers. There is an increased demand for U.S. fresh and value added products by Taiwanese consumers. WUSATA will conduct a trade mission to multiple locations in Taiwan targeted for new-to-market companies and companies who wish to expand their sales in the market. Meetings with key importers and distributors from the retail and foodservice sectors will be customized for each participant. For more information, contact Kim Peterson.

TBD Idaho Agriculture Promotion , Chicago
Idaho agricultural producers and commodity commissions are invited to participate in an all-Idaho promotion in Chicago in January or February, 2014 (dates TBD). ISDA, in cooperation with several Idaho state and private agriculture partners, will conduct a foodservice promotion consisting of chef demonstrations, a product showcase, culinary competitions, receptions, and more targeting regional media, food and wine journalists, foodservice operators, and other contacts within the foodservice industry. For more information, contact Kim Polzin.

 

For more information:

Laura Johnson : 208-332-8533 or laura.johnson@agri.idaho.gov
 Leah Clark : 208-332-8684 or leah.clark@agri.idaho.gov
Kim Peterson : 208-332-8532 or kim.peterson@agri.idaho.gov
Katlin Davis : 208-332-8678 or katlin.davis@agri.idaho.gov
Skylar Jett: 208-332-8542 or skylar.jett@agri.idaho.gov
Amanda Gibson: 208-332-8538 or amanda.gibson@agri.idaho.gov

* WUSATA ( Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association) Sponsored Promotion