Helping Maine Food And Beverage Companies Expand Regionally and Nationally
What to Expect
Participants in MarketShare are led by a full-time program manager with food industry experience, who works directly with member companies to understand their business and needs.
TIMELINE
MarketShare is a 12-month membership program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants should be value added food, beverage or agriculture companies who have a proven sales history, have dedicated resources to sell out-of -state, are looking to secure more grocery and retail shelf space, and/or are interested in growing foodservice distribution. Participants will be selected into the program based on their readiness to sell nationally. Key consideration factors will include:
· Food safety and labeling requirements/compliance
· Current sales in the retail, grocery, e-commerce and/or foodservice sectors
· Understanding of product costs, profitability and capacity to do market development
· Dedicated sales personnel
· Compelling product value proposition and ability to scale to regional/national distribution
Main Program Elements:
MarketShare elements include an initial marketing & sales assessment, recommended strategies, professional coaching and mentoring by food industry experts, access to market and consumer data, and industry specific workshops.
TAILORED MARKETING & SALES ASSESSMENT
The program begins with an internal review of current markets served, distribution networks, identifying opportunities and gaps and discussing next steps for market development.
PROFESSIONAL COACHING BY FOOD INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Members are matched with mentors from MCE’s Maine Mentor Network and the Emerge community based on individual company needs. Our mentor network includes experts in the food industry with private sector experience including business development capacities in: the natural products and specialty food sectors, mass grocery and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), e-commerce, convenience and big box stores, foodservice distribution networks, food & beverage marketing and social media, compliance and finance, among other fields.
MARKET & SYNDICATED CONSUMER DATA
MarketShare includes an annual membership to Emerge, a community supported by FMI.
Companies have access to Nielsen and SPINS Satori syndicated data, retail, foodservice and distributor listings through Seafax’s Eureka! and Chain Store Guide, Point of sale and trend reports, as well as access to technical assistance advisors who work one-on-one helping businesses incorporate data and findings into their strategies and sales materials.
EDUCATION & NETWORKING
MCE hosts relevant webinars and workshops featuring speakers with expertise in the grocery, retail, e-commerce and foodservice industry sectors. Most webinars are recorded and can be watched “on demand”. MarketShare members also have free access to the Emerge bi-weekly webinars featuring food industry experts from around the country.
One of the most valued benefits of joining the MarketShare program is the internal networking that takes place among the participating companies. MarketShare’s Workshops and Business Roundtables allow companies to develop meaningful business relationships with like-companies in Maine, share resources & contacts and learn best practices for success in the food sector.
CONNECTION TO ADDITIONAL FEE BASED CONSULTANT SUPPORT
MarketShare will source contracted expertise beyond the general Maine Mentor Network and Emerge base coaching or mentoring, as needed.
Membership Cost
The MarketShare program offers remarkable value to businesses looking to expand distribution. Through the support of MCE’s generous sponsors, we offer this 12-month membership program at a reduced cost of $300 per company.
Results
The MarketShare program was launched in August of 2019. To date 17 companies have participated in the program – leveraging MarketShare benefits and services to increase their sales and market presence!