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Market Access Program Funding Helps Iowa Supplier Expand Exports to Qatar

American Pop Corn Co., makers of JOLLY TIME® Pop Corn is a 107-year-old, fourth and fifth generation, family-owned company who has participated in Food Export-Midwest's Branded Program for 25 years!

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Two years ago, American Pop Corn Company started using Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program funding to penetrate the retail popcorn market in Kuwait. According to Garrett Smith, President of American Pop Corn Company, “Over the years, JOLLY TIME® sales grew consistently year after year in Kuwait but starting three to four years ago the annual sales within the Kuwait market plateaued at $1,100,000.” In 2022, after using their allocated funding from Food Export-Midwest’s Branded Program for product advertising, promotional displays and in-store promotion events, American Pop Corn was able to achieve their goal and break that plateau.

Achieving actual sales of over $1,847,000 a 68% increase. With the elimination of the five-year graduation of MAP funding usage, JOLLY TIME® can now support the agent’s promotional efforts. Sales are now growing domestically as well as internationally. American Pop Corn Company can now invest $3,000,000 in new packing equipment to support the growing demand.  

American Pop Corn Company located in Sioux City, Iowa, of the 4th Congressional District, has participated in Food Export’s programs and services since 1997.  

American Pop Corn Co., makers of JOLLY TIME® Pop Corn is a 107-year-old fourth and fifth generation, family-owned company with a variety of retail microwave popcorn products including BlastOButter, KettleMania, Mallow Magic, Crispy’n White and the Big Cheez. JOLLY TIME yellow and white Pop Corn products are also sold in reseal able poly bags, canisters, and jars. 

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.  


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Branded Program Success
Branded Program Utilization Success
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Market Access Program (MAP) Fund Utilization

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Each year, hundreds of U.S. suppliers participate in the Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast's programs. As a result, companies are successful at generating new export sales, establishing new distributorship, expanding their production facilities, and hiring additional employees. Read the Success Stories to learn more!

If your company has a success to share, email us at info@foodexport.org.

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