COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: Colorado food business testifies on Capitol Hill in support of state trade and export programs

Colorado Department of Agriculture issued the following announcement on July 10.

The International Markets division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is proud to have helped support FlapJacked, a Colorado-based food company on its journey to testifying in Washington, D.C. on the importance of the Small Business Association (SBA) State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant.

CDA works with Colorado businesses to help them enter international markets, utilizing department funds in conjunction with support and funding from other sources such as the STEP grant. The funding source is managed by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to develop export opportunities for Colorado products.

“Funding and added support for Colorado companies trying to sell on an international level is crucial to their growth and success,” said Ashley Warsh, International Marketing and Business Development Specialist at CDA. “FlapJacked has used the STEP grant to expand its sales around the world.”

By participating in the Colorado Pavilion booth at international trade shows, which is sponsored by the STEP grant, FlapJacked was able to begin selling its products to Mexico and is working towards entering new international markets.

In her testimony, FlapJacked co-founder Jennifer Bacon said “STEP program funds have enabled FlapJacked to get in front of retailers directly and bypass expensive distributors and middlemen, making it easier to offer our products at affordable prices. FlapJacked would like to advocate for continuing to support the STEP program to assist small, women-owned businesses like mine to expand and grow beyond our borders and our reach.”

Learn more about the STEP grant here. For more information about CDA’s International Markets Division, visit the division’s web page.

Original source can be found here.