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Kosher and nonkosher food products from 12 Ohio food companies were sampled during the IsraFood-Hotex International Food and Beverage Exhibition in Tel Aviv, Israel late in 2004. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), the Negev Foundation, the Ohio Department of Development and the U.S. Embassy represented the companies to some 30,000 food distributors, retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and hotel representatives, setting the stage for creating new business relationships.

Ohio companies’ initial results from the show are estimated at $50,000, and projected sales could be more than $100,000. That is a return on investment to Ohio of 50:1, according to ODA. The long-term economic impact of the mission is expected to be even greater as relationships are built over the next few years.

This special exhibition, as well as previous missions, are part of the Ohio-Israel Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative that is designed to identify opportunities between Ohio and Israel, primarily in agriculture. The Agricultural Initiative is funded by USDA, the government of Israel, ODA and the Negev Foundation, among others. Ohio currently ranks 13^th in the nation with agricultural exports of $1.3 billion.

"Israel is a new, growing market with the potential to provide increased export opportunities for Ohio’s food companies and producers," said ODA Director Fred Dailey, who visited Israel in 2003 on the Ohio-Israel Feeder Calf Mission. "The people of this region are familiar with American products and are ready to pay for the quality food items our companies can offer."

The Negev Foundation is a Cleveland nonprofit organization that promotes ties between Israel and Ohio. It recruited the following companies to send products to the show: Almondina Brand Biscuits, Archway Cookies, Bertman Original Ball Park Mustard, Bunker Hill Cheese, Chocolate Emporium, Cooperative Business International, Fisherman’s All Natural Seasonings, Maramor Candy Company, O’Neil Foods, Total Ultimate Foods, Trophy Nut Company and Zio World Cuisine.

While in Israel, ODA visited a number of retail markets and met with buyers from Tiv Taam, the largest nonkosher supermarket in Israel, the two largest kosher-only supermarket chains in Israel, a hotel food distributor and large and small importers specializing in supermarket foods, chocolates, private label foods and upscale gourmet foods.

Caption: Israeli buyers and consumers taste-test Ohio products at the IsraFood exhibition in Tel Aviv, Israel in November. The Ohio Department of Agriculture represented 12 companies at the show to evaluate the potential for their food products in Israel. Photo courtesy Ohio Department of Agriculture