London Trade Show

ROD MCSHERRY: Im Rod McSherry. Im with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agriculture Service. And were based at the U.S. Embassy in London. And were here at the International Food and Drink Exhibition. And behind us there are about 25 U.S. companies who are here thanks to the work that my office has done, bringing them to London.

LOUISE MCKERCHAR: Im Louise McKerchar. I work for American Peanut Council. Were here to promote American peanuts to the UK market and the other Europeans that are here.

PATRICK FORD: My name is Patrick Ford, and Im here at the International Food Exhibition. Were here to get new customers and to increase relationships with customers we already have.

JOSEPH JARAMILLO: Hello. My name is Joseph Jaramillo, and Im here to introduce my products which are traditional foods from the Pueblo people of the Southwest.

ROD McSHERRY: Its up to us to make sure that the groundwork is laid, that there are no policies and the governments kind of barriers in place. But after that, its really up to them to impress the customers and sell their products. Its a tough market here. Theres lots of competition youll see as you walk around the show today. But we want to make sure that there arent any non-market barriers in the way. And so thats what they get what from the Department of Agriculture services and the Foreign Ag Service.

LOUISE MCKERCHAR: This is an ideal opportunity for us. There are six companies here who are responsible for marketing U.S. agriculture products, and we decided that we all wanted to work together to have a stand designed for us that really says to the outside world what it is about American products, its innovation, its quality, its professionalism.

PATRICK FORD: Its increasing the relationships that we have, and it is building some new ones. It really is. You have to be at the shows to have the relationships continue.

ROD McSHERRY: And the companies that are here are not paid for by our offices or by any government funds, but what the organization has done is to get them here, to help them come explore this market and get to know whats going on in this market, the trends, whats happening on this side of the water. And so we give them market intelligence, we help them understand or get to know what customers are looking for. They bring their own resources. They put their own money into these shows. So its a collaborative effort.

JOSEPH JARAMILLO: As a matter of fact thats how we were able to come here, through the USDA office via the Intertribal Agriculture Council.

PATRICK FORD: Yeah. Weve been working with them for years. We were in the produce business to start with, so we know the USDA. We know the whole Department of Agriculture since my great grandfather. We look for them for all kinds of information. Its so valuable to us, and information we couldnt get on our own.

JOSEPH JARAMILLO: They provide all the necessary service to help us to learn about exporting and also packaging or anything that has to do with promoting our products.

ROD McSHERRY: If theres anything that anybody is watching this is interested in, they can certainly contact our office. And so thanks again. I hope you all enjoyed watching this, and thanks for coming. Im going to go out and have another bite, actually.

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