FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2000
Brand-new products to be displayed at Chicago food show
(CHICAGO, Il) – Some of South Carolina’s most innovative food manufacturers are providing buyers around the world with a taste of their products at the 2000 US Food Export Showcase, May 7-9.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture is sponsoring a pavilion at the Showcase, held within the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) Annual Supermarket Convention, to provide South Carolina companies exposure to buyers from more than 100 countries, as well as the leading food retailers in the United States.
One South Carolina company, NutriSolutions of Conway, has found a way to help prevent cancer with a new product called Berry-Bites. The product, made of freeze-dried raspberries, comes in a powder form and can be added to any drink or recipe—including cheesecake. The product was made to take advantage of the cancer-fighting element that is abundant in raspberries called ellagic acid. According to studies by the Hollings Cancer Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, ellagic acid* is easily absorbed by the body and has been clinically shown to prevent certain cancers. These health findings are sure to make Berry-Bites a hit in Chicago.
Other healthy products from NutriSolutions include Broco-Bites and Protect-a-Pet, a treat to help prevent cancer among canines, and the S.C. Department of Agriculture will display many other S.C. products to the world.
Two other South Carolina companies that will display popular snack foods and delicacies will join NutriSolutions, International Industries of Spartanburg and Harrell Farms of Meggett.
"The U.S. Food Export Showcase has proven to be a cost-effective way for small- and mid-size companies to increase demand for our agricultural products, create jobs in the food manufacturing industry and contribute to our economic vitality," said Roy Copelan, marketing specialist with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. "As many as 6,500 international buyers are sampling a variety of export-ready products to offer globally."
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) sponsor the annual Showcase to expand markets for U.S. farmers and to create new food industry jobs for American workers.
Exports of agriculture and food products contribute more than $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy. NASDA officials estimate participants in the U.S. Food Export Showcase will generate as much as $40 million in sales over the next 12 months, supporting more than 800 jobs in the United States.
NASDA is a nonprofit association of public officials representing the Commissioners, Secretaries and Directors of Agriculture in the 50 states and four territories.
For more information about the US Food Export Showcase, contact Carla Bray at the McCormick Center newsroom at (312) 791-6724 May 6-9. After May 9, call (803) 734-2186.
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Attention TV and RADIO news directors!
NASDA will be uplinking video footage from the U.S. Food Export Showcase
for your use. The video will include general show footage, footage
of South Carolina exhibits and soundbites from select South Carolina participants
at the show. The footage will be available on Telstar 5, Transponder
12, C-Band on Monday, May 8 at 2:40 p.m. CST.
RADIO FEEDS will be available Sunday and Tuesday by telephone. If you
are interested, please call (312) 791-6724, on Saturday or Sunday to set
up a time for your feed.