In August 2008, Cherchies Specialty Foods, located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, of the 6th Congressional District, participated in the Food Export-Northeast-sponsored Focused Trade Mission to Canada where they were introduced to a Canadian buyer.

According to Mark Spallone, Vice President of Cherchies, Ltd., “The Trade Mission gave us our first ever export sale as well as a subsequent order. We anticipate a lot of growth in our export sales through contacts made at this activity and other Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast-sponsored events.” The company uses Branded Program funds to help offset the cost of traveling to the Canadian tradeshow, shipping samples, and labeling changes.

Cherchies Specialty Foods produces a line of gourmet foods including gourmet mustards; soups, chowders and chilies; seasoning blends; grill and fish sauces; preserves; hot pepper jellies; and seasoned pretzels and nuts.  

Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are private, non-profit associations of Midwestern and Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies that use federal, state, and industry resources to promote the export of Midwestern and Northeastern food and agricultural products. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast administer many services through Market Access Program (MAP) funding from the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service.