Through participating in Food Export-Midwest services over the last six years, Testator Snacks of Coldwater, OH in the 8th Congressional District, has seen significant expansion. The company has used Branded Program funds to produce promotional literature, signs and banners in 17 international markets.  In addition, they landed a small customer accounting for 4% of Canadian business at the 2007 Private Label Manufactures Association (PLMA) Buyers Mission. Sales in 2009 to this buyer are expected to be 15% of overall Canadian business and volumes are expected to increase. At the 2008 PLMA Buyers Mission, Testator Snacks met another buyer from Canada that now accounts for 20% of Canadian business. According to Andrea Ruscheinski, Account Manager, “With the Branded Program, we have been able to offset the cost of promotional activities that otherwise would not be available in this economic downturn. The Buyers Mission meetings have also been extremely beneficial.  Over the past four years we have landed approximately 7-8 new international customers!”

In the last two years, Testator Snacks has hired 8-10 new employees to keep up with their export sales. The company is also purchasing an additional 5% in ingredients per year to support the increase in demand for their products.

Testator Snacks, a division of Basic Grain Products, Inc., is a specialty food manufacturer committed to producing naturally healthy snacks using wholesome rice, corn, soy, and wheat grains.

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.