Seminar Looks at Marketing and Regulatory Environment

source: Farm and Food Report

In light of recent changes in the North American regulatory environment, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization (SAFRR), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) are organizing an all-day U.S.A./Canada Food Product Seminar in Saskatoon on March 8.

This event targets food and beverage processors who are new to marketing outside the province, or who have limited experience of U.S. markets, and are interested in pursuing U.S. and domestic market opportunities.

STEP’s Brad Michnik is Director of Trade Development for North America.

“The seminar will be of interest to anyone who is looking at exporting as a way to tap into new markets. We are bringing in customs brokers and distributors with substantial knowledge of how to address the requirements imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the recent Bio-Terrorism Act. This can be a priceless educational opportunity.”

One of the organizations scheduled to make a presentation is Tree of Life, the United States’ leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty, ethnic, and gourmet food products. Tree of Life has helped thousands of retailers — from the largest supermarket chains to the smallest independent stores — meet the constantly growing demand for organic products.

Tree of Life recently opened for business in Canada. During their 30 years of operation, the organization has acquired invaluable experience and knowledge, which it will share with participants at the seminar.

“Topics will include insight on critical aspects like labelling and nutritional information requirements, which vary significantly between Canada and the United States,” according to SAFRR International Business Development Specialist Renata Bereziuk. “Errors on the nutrition facts panels of a product destined for the U.S. market can be extremely costly for processors. The more they know about market requirements, the more effectively they will be able to take advantage of emerging opportunities.”

And there should soon be more of those, as Canada significantly beefed up its market presence in the United States since September 2003, with the U.S. Enhanced Representation Initiative (ERI). ERI is a partnership of federal departments and agencies, aiming to strategically advance Canada-U.S. relations in order to better promote and defend Canadian political and trade interests in our largest trade market. The result is a strengthened presence, particularly in new centres of growing geographic, political and economic importance in the United States.

On a different note, the day’s program also includes keynote speaker Kevin Coupe, a writer specializing in creating unique portraits of "Main Street"-type businesses in the U.S. and around the world, focusing on the unique dynamic that exists between retailers, manufacturers and consumers.

Working in print, video and online, Coupe captures the special relationship between shopkeeper and shopper, especially in a technological society in which the rules and roles are constantly changing. And, as a speaker on the subject, Kevin has enlightened and entertained audiences around the globe.

Currently, he is the founder and "Content Guy" of MorningNewsBeat.com, a daily news and information site for retailers and manufacturers that features "Retail News with a Point of View," reaching thousands of people and businesses each day.

Coupe is a frequent guest lecturer at colleges that include Michigan State University, St. Joseph's University, Cornell University, and Portland State University.

The U.S.A./Canada Food Product Seminar takes place on March 8 in the Atrium Building at Innovation Place in Saskatoon from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information or to register, contact Brad Michnik at (306) 933-6551.

For more information, contact:
Brad Michnik
Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
(306) 933-6551

Michele Kuxhaus
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(306) 975-4094

Renata Bereziuk
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
(306) 787-8541

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