Israfood

Ohio Businesses Partner to Market Products in Israel

(Cleveland, OH) – Ohio food companies are promoting the state’s best and exploring new international trade relationships by taking advantage of a unique opportunity at the IsraFood-Hotex International Food and Beverage Exhibition hosted in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 22-24, 2004.

“Israel is a new, growing market with the potential to provide huge export opportunities for Ohio’s food companies and producers. The people of this region are familiar with American products and are ready to pay for the quality food items our companies can offer,” said Fred L. Dailey, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The Negev Foundation, a Cleveland non-profit organization dedicated to the development of the Negev Desert in Israel, has recruited 12 Ohio companies--of 17 total from America--large and small, entrepreneurial and established, to fill to capacity the reserved display area at IsraFood-Hotex . The Ohio companies are:

• Almondina Brand Biscuits, Maumee, OH (all natural crunchy almond cookies)
• Archway Cookies, Ashland, OH (crispy cookies with fruit or chocolate chip filling)
• Bertman Original Ball Park Mustard, Cleveland, OH (famous for brown ballpark mustard served at Jacobs Field in Cleveland and for horseradish sauce)
• Bunker Hill Cheese, Millersburg, OH (all natural and certified organic cheeses)
• Chocolate Emporium, Cleveland, OH (non-dairy handmade chocolates and chocolate covered pretzels)
• Cooperative Business International, Columbus, OH (coffees, spices and popcorn)
• Fisherman’s All Natural Seasonings, Cleveland, OH (all natural seasonings primarily for fish, and for poultry and meat as well)
• Maramor Candy Company, Columbus, OH (gift basket & kosher candy suppliers to individuals and the hotel industry)
• O’Neil Foods, Garfield Hts, OH (grain, wheat, corn and soy processed products, for the kosher, vegetarian and health food market)
• Total Ultimate Foods, Columbus, OH (dry powder mixes for savory sauces and mousse)
• Trophy Nut Company, Tipp City, OH (kosher dry roasted nuts), and
• Zio World Cuisine, Glouster, OH (upscale shelf-stable prepared dinners)

The IsraFood-Hotex International Food and Beverage Exhibition is held annually in Tel-Aviv, Israel. With approximately 30,000 food distributors, retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and hotel representatives expected to attend, IsraFood-Hotex is the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. The invitation-only exhibition showcases international products from dozens of countries and hopes to attract more American businesses.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with The Negev Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, will provide international trade specialists to showcase and represent Ohio food companies at the exhibition. This special arrangement for Ohio companies was made possible by The Negev Foundation.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture and Negev Foundation staff will meet with Ohio companies prior to the exhibition, represent them at the exhibition in Israel, and will continue to facilitate relationships between the companies and their overseas distributors after the exhibition. The Foundation is grateful for the assistance of the State of Ohio’s Trade Office in Tel Aviv during all stages of this project.

The Negev Foundation is committed to encouraging Ohioans to do business in Israel. As founding board member, Dick Bogomolny observes, “This dynamic initiative stands to benefit our state and Israel, economically and in sharing of new technologies. Both regions will undoubtedly benefit and we’re proud that The Negev Foundation is spearheading this project.”

In February, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and The Negev Foundation hosted an Ohio Feeder Calf trade mission to Israel to open the doors to what could become a long-term agricultural trading relationship between the two regions. (Ohio bull calves can satisfy the demand for fresh beef the Israeli market cannot produce on its own.)

The mission and this special exhibition opportunity are part of the Ohio-Israel Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative, a project of The Negev Foundation, designed to identify business and R&D-related opportunities between Ohio and Israel. Pursuing new international business opportunities creates increased awareness and demand for Ohio agricultural products which benefits all Ohioans through more jobs and bigger contributions to the state’s economy. Ohio ranks 13th in the nation, with $1.3 billion worth of agriculture exports annually.

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