Brooklyn's Progress
August/September 2005

By Harold Egeln

Brooklyn-based food manufacturers were on the world's dining table at the 51st Summer Fancy Food Show held at the Jacob K. Javits Center, thanks to Brooklyn Goes Global (BGG), the Brooklyn Chamber’s targeted marketing assistance program for Brooklyn-based manufacturers.

The huge trade show, running from July 10 through July 12, was presented by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT), a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. NASFT’s well-attended shows are considered to be the premier marketplace for reaching the specialty food trade worldwide.  The shows attract from 15,000 to 30,000 attendees.

robbie dawg Secures an Order
“This is our very first show and the Brooklyn Chamber has been very helpful to us," said robbie dawg President Lisa Fortunato, elated to be displaying her gourmet organic dog biscuits, nicely packaged with ribbons in attractive baskets.  robbie dawg, which has been manufacturing its dog biscuits in Red Hook for one year, has sought assistance from the NYC Business Solutions Center at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  With the help of Fred Graves, the Center’s Director of Financial Services, robbie dawg has secured micro loans to start the business and expand and buy equipment to fulfill growing purchase orders.

"This is what BGG is about, providing marketing support and creating opportunities to expand Brooklyn products domestically and globally," said Steve Kaplansky, BGG Marketing Consultant, excited about BGG pavilion with showcased six Brooklyn Chamber Members.  "The Fancy Food Show is an opportunity of these companies to package and present their products and most of them told me that they received not  only leads, but concrete orders."

Exposure to Global Opportunities
"These cooperative ventures are the wave of the future. With our niche businesses banning together, our opportunities grow," said Erica Kalick, President of Erica's Rugelach and Baking Company in Park Slope.   Erica's Rugelach provides a line of gourmet specialty pastry.  The Crain’s Small Business Award-winning company also benefited from participating with the BGG Pavilion in last year's show.

"We're building bridges globally," said Abunauser Khaliquzzaman, President of World Trade Promotion Center,Inc. (WTPC)located in Park Slope, who has participated in previous Fancy Food Shows. "With the world economic boom, this is the time to do this. This is great exposure." WTPC's Newmarket Foods vegetable and specialty oils, American Grain and American Halal products graced his display.

"This is our second show. People get a chance to see and taste our products and the show creates new opportunities for our products," said Moses Freund, President and Founder of King of the Sea in Sunset Park.  King of the Sea has chemical-free quality yellow fin tuna, smoked sardines and fancy king salmon products. Famed food critic Joan Hamburg praised the products as being the lowest in methyl mercury of any brand.

Meet New Customers
Tower Isles Frozen Foods, Ltd. from Brownsville was giving out samples of its original Jamaican style beef patties.

"It's a chance to meet customers and help us distribute internationally," said Alexis Bronstorph, Account Executive for the 35 year old company. "Brooklyn Goes Global helps us a lot, pitching our great tasting patties, of which we are the pioneers."

"This is our first time and we are getting good exposure, the reason we're here," said Rabbi J. Gelbman at his Ad-Mats display, featuring the advertising placemats for restaurants, bars and caterers, and for its Rosh Hashanah program. The business, based in Williamsburg, started three years ago and is in over 50 of the most popular Jewish placemat restaurants in the city. "We're very happy with the show and the Chamber's help in reaching new people."

Among the visitors to the BBG Pavilion was Felise Gross of the NYS Department of Agriculture, who focuses on Kosher food. "Brooklyn Goes Global gives good resources and exposure to its businesses," she said.

Other Brooklyn Exhibitors
Elsewhere throughout the show, Brooklyn Chamber Members again had their showcase booths, as they had in the past.

"It's all about coverage and exposure, and the diversity of buyers and our products," said Chris Tang, with his brother Terry Tang, of Twin Marquis Inc., one of the largest noodle and wrapper manufacturers on the East Coast.  Started in 1989, Twin Marquis manufactures noodles, wrappers, vegetarian and Kosher foods and the company is a major distributor of the trendy drinks – bubble milk tea.  The company has expanded to include Chef One Corp. which produces appetizers and TMI Trading Corp. which imports various products from Asia and distributes them throughout the United States. Twin Marquis has "great products," said both Emmett Pickett, its Vice President of Markets and Strategy, and Brooklyn Chamber Vice President Randy Peers, Chamber Vice President, Economic Development.

At Sahadi’s Specialty Fine Foods booth, Patrick Whelan was happy about its growing import and retail business, based in Sunset Park and its Atlantic Ave. store. "The Fancy Food Show is helping us to see our customers face to face, rather than being a voice on the phone. That makes a big difference and helps business." Around him were Sahadi’s unique products from the Far & Middle East including bulk nuts, dried fruits, olives, coffee, grains, beans, spices, and hummus.

"This is a great place to meet old friends and to see current trends," said Scott Tauber of Hena Coffee Inc., enjoying another show.  Hena Coffee, based in East New York, makes specialty coffees, teas and accessories. "The Chamber does a lot for people, forming a community of business, helping Brooklyn."

For more information on Brooklyn Goes Global, contact BGG Marketing Consultant Steve Kaplansky at the Brooklyn Chamber, 718-875-1000 ext. 104, or visit the Brooklyn Chamber Web site, http://www.ibrooklyn.com/.