The Illinois Department of Agriculture is currently updating our database records.  A copy of your company's information has or will be emailed, faxed or mailed to the contact listed on our database the next week or two.  This information allows us to help buyers locate suppliers in Illinois as well as communicate in a timely manner with companies regarding sales opportunities they can participate in such as shows, promotions, and other related activities.  Our goal is to annually update our information.  

Your company’s information will be included in our On-line Buyers Directory as well as included in lists distributed through individual inquiries from buyers looking for suppliers of specific Illinois products.  We also offer a Trade Lead Service that allows for electronic distribution of leads that originate from various sources to your desktop in a timely manner.   These trade leads usually are international in nature but we are currently looking at expanding this program in the domestic area.  The leads normally contain information such as type of product the buyer wants to purchase, quantity, packaging specifications, method of payment, transportation details and contact information.

Your company will also be informed through periodic email messages about our other programs and services that include:  Marketing Perspectives; On-line Buyers Directory; Domestic Marketing Assistance; Illinois Products Logo Program; Trade Shows; Promotional Events; Industry Tours; Seminars; and Grant Opportunities.

Listing on the database is FREE !  There are minimal fees associated with the various trade shows and promotional events throughout the year, but participation in these events is up to each individual company.

Any company – Food or Agribusiness – that produces, packages, processes or is headquartered in Illinois is eligible to be listed in our database and participate in our programs and services.

The Buy Illinois Network is intended to help Illinois business owners market their products and services, which in turn stimulates more in-state, business-to-business commerce.

Throughout the year, the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Marketing & Promotion sponsors various pavilions at trade shows around the world. The Department defers 50% of the booth costs at sponsored shows. In an effort to determine which shows would bring the largest benefit to Illinois companies, we are asking for your input. Please indicate which show(s) your company would be likely to participate in with the Department. Your suggestions will be taken into consideration when determining future activities.

Ever needed one-on-one export assistance but didn't know where to turn? This unique MIATCO service provides midwestern companies with customized, one-on-one assistance on a wide variety of export-related topics. Whether you have a quick question about exporting or need long-term assistance, MIATCO's Food Export Helpline can be of service! For enrolling in this free service, our counselor can also conduct a top 25 market report for you product!

The Branded Program assists small food and agricultural companies to promote their products overseas by reimbursing up to 50% for marketing activities such as advertising, trade show registration costs, public relations, package and label modifications and more.

217/782-2581

This cookbook represents a collection of recipes highlighting Illinois food products.  The participating companies have put forth a cadre of enticing products, not to mention recipes that we are sure you will want to create.

This mission provides you an opportunity to meet with over 20 buyers from 18 countries in your choice of three cities—Chicago, Milwaukee, or Kansas City. Last year U.S. suppliers that participated in the Midwest Buyers Mission established new distribution relationships resulting in over $1 million in export sales.

Participation Agreement and Buyer Profiles

sarah.potter@illinois.gov

217/782-2581

217/782-6661

During the Illinois State Fair, the Illinois Department of Agriculture Tent showcases the various Bureau's of the Department. These displays feature personnel, equipment, and literature explaining the purpose and services provided by the Department of Agriculture.  Incorporated into this tent are various agriculture related service groups, both state and federal. These organizations provide information and materials on their services.

mike.cunningham@illinois.gov

217/782-9114

During the Illinois State Fair, Kikkoman Foods, Inc. plans to have cooking demonstrations and food sampling along with product displays. They will be handing out Kikkoman Products, their company brochure and other literature.

larry.aldag@illinois.gov

217/524-3012

Each year, the Bureau of Marketing and Promotions coordinates the promotion and selling of Illinois food products during the Illinois State Fair. Companies can sample and sell their Illinois food products in the tent. It is located on the east side of the fairgrounds near the Hobby, Arts and Crafts Building. Some non-food agricultural products, such soy candles, herb products, soaps made form corn & soybeans, etc., can also be displayed & sold.

larry.aldag@illinois.gov

217/524-3012

The Gazebo area spotlights Illinois companies and products with cooking demonstrations and subsequent samplings of the prepared recipes. This area has a very transient audience, but the sampling allows time to personally visit with people from all over Illinois about the company and its products. During last year's fair, there were an estimated 250 individuals that viewed each demonstration and sampled the prepared recipe.  The Bureau is looking for entities or companies that may have an Illinois product that they would like to demonstrate and sample.   Bureau staff is also available to demonstrate and sample as a representative of an Illinois company.

delayne.reeves@illinois.gov

217/524-9129

The Bureau of Marketing and Promotions coordinates a tent filled with ag-tivities for kids and their parents. They can play in the corn and soybean boxes, gather eggs, ride the little green tractors, and much more.  The Bureau is looking for entities or companies that may have an interactive or hands-on exhibit or game they would like to feature in the Kid's Tent.

karen.fraase@illinois.gov

217/785-7799

Join Chef John Kraus, Instructor at The French Pastry School, as he shares his expertise while he demonstrates how to create a moist almond pumpkin financier with roasted pumpkin. This demonstration is open to the public and will feature Illinois pumpkins.

John Kraus biography

French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

lisa.groesch@illinois.gov

217/782-0767

New to the 2006 Illinois State Fair is the Cooking with Eggs Contest scheduled for SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 at the Hobby, Arts and Crafts Building on the State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois Egg Council will sponsor the contest. Entries will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. with judging beginning at 10:00 a.m. Awards will be presented at 12:45 p.m.

karen.fraase@illinois.gov

217/785-7799

Outstanding farm families from various agricultural organizations are honored for their dedication, commitment and progress towards agriculture at the Ag Day Awards luncheon on the Director's Lawn. People from the agriculture community attend the luncheon to celebrate and enjoy the Illinois State Fair activities.

karen.fraase@illinois.gov

217/785-7799

Sesquicentennial and Centennial Farm families, certified during the last year, are honored during the Ag Day Awards luncheon.

Illinois Centennial and Sesquicentennial Farms Program

Delayne Reeves

delayne.reeves@illinois.gov

217/524-9129

sarah.potter@illinois.gov

217/782-2581

This September, USDA London is holding its Gourmet Awards, a program for US exporters of new to market food and beverage products. The program represents an opportunity to work with USDA London, in tandem with your State Regional Trade Group, with the objective of exporting your product to the UK market. USDA London’s program combines a judging process to select the Gourmet Award winners, a new to market showcase (at which your products will be introduced to key UK buyers) and a seminar on exporting to the UK.

AgLondon@usda.gov

+44 20 7894 0040

Gain Direct Access to the Expanding Middle Eastern Markets. Important export opportunities already exist in the region, making the Middle East a hot market for imported food products.

Nearly every major U.S. agricultural sector can benefit from the growth in this market in such sectors as: grocery products, meat and dairy, seafood, foodservice and retail, ice cream, snack foods, condiments, candies, honey, pet foods, and more!

info@miatco.org

312/334-9200

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has booth space available at the "VIV China 2006". VIV China 2004 attracted over 17,000 visitors. VIV China has grown into the second largest international show in South East Asia, second only to it's sister show VIV Asia. Approximately 75% of the total forecasted international floor space has been reserved.  This show targets the livestock industry from producer to processor.  Exhibitors include: livestock breeding, animal health, feed ingredients and additives, feed equipment, farm equipment, meat processing, meat ingredients and slaughtering equipment.

terry.english@illinois.gov

217/785-0115

This will be a great opportunity to meet cattle, swine, poultry & other livestock producers from several Mexican states and many different Latin countries that will be looking for inputs from exhibitors in the biennial show.

bobby.dowson@illinois.gov

217/782-4755

kim.hamilton@illinois.gov

217/782-5809

The Expo is a “closed show”. Only specific retail and food service food buyers and other buying “decision makers” are invited to attend to sample the Illinois food products and visit with the participating food company representatives.  Over 2,000 special food buyers representing major retailers, independent retailers, large and small wholesale suppliers, retail & foodservice food distributors, convenience store distributors and wholesalers, food brokers, restaurants, hospitals, colleges-universities, schools, state institutions, dieticians & others will be invited to attend the Expo.

Interest In Participating Form

larry.aldag@illinois.gov

217/524-3012

The 2006 Women's Lifestyle Show will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2006 at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Over 9,000 households attend this show that targets women. Illinois food companies and agribusinesses can sample and sell food products. Non-food items can also be sold. The cost to participate is $415. (If food is sampled, add an additional $35 for a public health permit.) The show is coordinated by Mr. Jay Goldberg, Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment, a division of Progressive Innovations, Ltd.

larry.aldag@illinois.gov

217/524-3012

terry.english@illinois.gov

217/785-0115

Illinois Global Partnership in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Agriculture is coordinating Illinois companies’ participation at the IFE Americas Show in Miami, Florida. IGP Inc. has reserved booth space in the U.S. Pavilion. IGP will pay 50% of the booth cost for you. Through a partnership with ECRM (Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing), IGP will offer to Illinois food companies a value-added package that includes your booth space and 30 pre-set meetings with pre-qualified international retailers, distributors, and importers. These meetings with leading buyers will take place on the show floor before, during, and after show hours, and are facilitated through ECRM’s eFusion software and secured areas of their web site.

DEADLINE IS JULY 31st

kim.hamilton@illinois.gov

217/782-5809

sarah.potter@illinois.gov

217/782-2581

The FAS Tel Aviv Office and SuperSal, the largest supermarket chain in Israel, are jointly organizing an American Month for processed food and non-food products. The event is scheduled for November 2006. SuperSal was founded in 1957 and is the oldest retail chain in Israel. The chain owns 220 stores throughout the country. Sales in 2005 exceeded $1.9 billion and the number of workers exceeded 9,000 employees.  American manufacturers, traders and exporters of food and non–food products who are looking for new market opportunities are invited to offer their products to a developed, modern and fast-growing market.

gilad.shachar@usda.gov

972-3-519-7324