The American Pop Corn Company of Sioux City, Iowa in the 5th Congressional District, has participated in Food Export- Midwest’s programs and services since the early 1990s. In that time their actual export sales have grown from non-existent to a few million dollars per year. President, Garrett Smith, says their participation has significantly helped the company find and keep contacts in overseas markets. “We participate in the Food Show PLUS!TM services at shows such as Anuga and SIAL China. We always come home with a handful of leads. It’s unusual if we don’t attract one or two buyers from each show. We use the Branded Program as a tool to attract new agents by letting them know that they can be eligible to receive 50 percent reimbursement for marketing expenses by working with us. ”

The company is exporting to 40 countries. In the past couple years they have hired five new people to assist with the increase in production. The company is also sourcing 5% more corn and soybean oil from the Midwest.

American Pop Corn Company was founded in 1914 and processes and markets JOLLY TIME® Pop Corn in all 50 states and around the world. The company produces a wide variety of flavored popcorn including healthy and low-salt butter flavors.

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.