Trade Roots

The best advice for a small-to-mid-size business wondering if they are ready to participate in an international trade show? Learn by doing!

On this episode, Tiffany and Addie talk to Betsy Riggs from IMEX Management on the ins and outs of international food and beverage trade shows. They cover things like:

• The role of IMEX Management in trade shows and how that overlaps with USDA and WUSATA
• How small and mid-size businesses can prepare for and stand out at international trade shows
• Differences between domestic and international shows
• Emerging trends and locations in food and beverage trade shows

If you've listened to the other TradeRoots episodes and wanted to know more about the trade shows that our guests mention, now they have the spotlight!

In our interview episode for this month, you heard what it's like to build a business as a family. This episode, Addie and Tiffany pick up the next chapter: succession planning. Succession planning is a business continuity strategy every family-owned exporter needs, not a one-time conversation to have on someone's last day of work. Whether the goal is passing a business to the next generation, preparing it for sale, or simply making sure things keep running if life throws a curveball, this episode will help you get the ball rolling.

Key topics covered:

• Why succession planning matters even more for exporters, since international buyers value long-term consistency and reliability from their partners
• The gap between intention and execution
• The risk of too much institutional knowledge - freight forwarders, buyer relationships, country-specific documentation, vendor contacts - living in one person's head
• Preparing future leaders through hands-on experience across every department, not just handing over a title
• Practical first steps for succession planning

Sponsor:
This episode is brought to you by Bluebird Grain Farms, a family-owned Washington-based producer of certified organic ancient grains and a WUSATA participant for five years. Learn more at bluebirdgrainfarms.com.

How does a product that started as a college tour fundraiser at a Guam night market turn into an international export?

On this episode, Addie talks with Christina and Marvin Crisostomo of Local Jerk, a veteran-owned family business built around Dinanche, a traditional Guam pepper condiment made with locally grown chilies, coconut milk, and crab paste. What began as a side project has turned into an export business reaching Palau and Japan, with South Korea next on the list.

Christina and Marvin share:

• The origin story of the company and what makes Dinanche unique
• Running a business as spouses and managing work/life balance
• How export-readiness training through GEDA's Guam STEP Program and mentorship from GUMA helped turn a side hustle into an export business
• What surprised them most about entering the Japanese market, and new flavor innovations targeted to specific customer bases
• Keeping production and distribution going through typhoon season, when power and produce supply chains are both on the line

Connect with the company and learn more here:

• Local Jerk
• Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) / Guam STEP program
• GUMA (Guam Unique Merchandise and Art)

🌍 Ever wondered how your favorite organic products cross borders?

In our latest episode of Trade Roots, we dive deep into the journey of organic products from the US to international markets. Did you know that the USDA organic label is one of the most recognized food labels worldwide? But just because consumers recognize it doesn’t mean it’s automatically accepted everywhere! In this episode, Tiffany and Addie discuss equivalency agreements with countries like the EU, UK, and Japan, and what to do when you encounter markets without these agreements.

We dive into the nuts and bolts: the step-by-step journey to get certified for international markets, how to leverage USDA’s cost-share programs to save money, and critical tips for labelling and documentation that make compliance a breeze. Don’t let unknown regulations slow your growth! Instead, equip yourself with knowledge, avoid costly delays, and unlock global markets with confidence.

USDA Organic Cost Share Program

Calling all agri-businesses and trail mix-enthusiasts alike! 🥾

In this episode, Addie and Tiffany chat with Karla from Mariani Packing. They talk about how the 120-year-old company's journey of vertical integration gives them control in the export process, even when crop yields, tariff rates, and oil prices fluctuate. Plus, get the scoop on the drying process for fruits and how these products traverse international markets.

You’ll hear about:

• How vertical integration supports quality and consistency
• The processing methods behind raisins, prunes, and other dried fruits
• Why dried fruit performs well in international markets
• How market demand is shifting across regions and product categories

Whether you’re in food, trade, or just curious about what it takes to move a product from farm to shelf around the world, this conversation offers practical insight into a highly specialized industry.

Connect with Mariani here. Maybe give their dried mango a try while you're at it!

What better way to celebrate National Grilling Month than with listening to our latest podcast episode all about the global traditions of barbecue??

On the next Trade Roots podcast episode, Addie and Tiffany dive into the origins of barbecue, barbecue culture around the world, and export opportunities for U.S. barbecue products. Whether you are looking to take your barbecue products abroad or you are a grill master looking to improve your BBQ knowledge - you won't want to miss this!

The grilling didn't stop after the 4th of July for us - we're celebrating with barbecue all month long on the Trade Roots podcast! 🦅

Join Addie and Tiffany as they explore a true American institution - barbecue. They cover everything from the food served at the first Independence Day celebration (can you guess what it was??) to what the Western U.S. brings to a cuisine typically associated with other parts of the country. They also welcome Dave Mundis from ThunderSnout BBQ to the podcast for this episode and get to learn all about his background with culinary competitions and how that formed the ThunderSnout brand and their now global presence.

Do you want to learn more about making your product stand out on a shelf full of competitors? Perhaps you’re looking for some advice on how to scale up production? Or maybe you’re just a BBQ lover like Tiffany and me! If any of those things call to you, this episode is for you! Give it a listen to learn why the West is “willing to color outside the lines” when it comes to this iconic American food.

Connect with ThunderSnout and WUSATA here:

ThunderSnout BBQ

WUSATA

Wondering what packaging and labeling requirements need to be considered for exporting your product abroad? Here's what you need to know!

On the next episode of the Trade Roots podcast, Addie and Tiffany explore the complexities of packaging and labeling considerations for exported product, using this month's theme - sauce - as an example. From choosing the right materials and following different markets' regulations to making sure your product survives the overseas voyage, there's a lot to think about - and we're here to provide the resources you need so you'll be prepared, no matter where your product ends up!

WUSATA's Trade Regulation Database is coming soon! Stay tuned for more information to come.

Episode 2 of the Trade Roots podcast is here, and it's a spicy one! 🌶️

This month's theme on the podcast is sauces, and we had the pleasure of interviewing Stacy Moritz, the owner of Secret Aardvark Trading Company, and Erick Garman, a trade development manager from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Stacy shared the history of Secret Aardvark and talked about the export challenges and opportunities she's seeing from the perspective of a sauce brand. Erick, who has helped several sauce companies grow their export sales, discussed key steps to take to ensure success as a company expands their business to new markets.

If you're looking for the secret sauce on growing a small business, getting export-ready, and selecting unique flavors to make your products pop, give this episode a listen!

Learn more about Secret Aardvark and the Oregon Department of Agriculture here:

Welcome to the Secret Aardvark Hot Sauce Website

ODA : Welcome Page : State of Oregon

Trade Roots' first official episode is here!

In the world of agriculture, trade is an ever-evolving landscape that reflects changes in technology, communication, and global interactions. In this episode, we explore insights from Jason Fearneyhough and Megan Weeks, two seasoned professionals in the ag trade sector, as they share their experiences and perspectives on how the industry has transformed over the years.

This episode sets the stage for what's to come on the Trade Roots podcast. Join us as we dive into agriculture in the Western United States, the current ag trade landscape, and more!