FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/31/2006

Contact: Donna Wood, Event Director
Telephone: 905-948-0470 x 231
dwood@divcomevents.com

May 31, 2006, Toronto –U.S. buyers are responding enthusiastically to a Canadian federal government program intended to support Canadian food manufacturers and distributors.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada extended an invitation to US buyers to come to Toronto and meet with selected exhibitors at the up and coming Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo. The event, scheduled for September 10 & 11 2006 at the International Centre near Toronto, Ontario, includes the All Things Organic™ pavilion presented by the Organic Trade Association.

The show provides manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers of ethnic, specialty, and organic food products access to buyers from retail and foodservice operations from Canada and the U.S.

To the delight of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, response to the US buyer program has been energetic. AAFC has been submitting export-ready product profiles to interested American buyers over the last month and will continue to do so; with a view to match buyer and seller at the show.

“This event is designed to serve the interests of the flourishing $100-billion-dollar foodservice and retail food industries,” says Donna Wood, Event Director, “from local producers seeking international markets, to Canadian buyers who are looking to expand their offerings”. Amongst the many exhibitors, there are three specific feature pavilions that directly address the exhibitors’ need to grow their presence in the marketplace—the All Things Organic tm is dedicated to the fast growing demand for organic food, presented by the Organic Trade Association; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s export-ready pavilion; and the new suppliers area showcasing local entrepreneurs, supported by The City of Toronto, Economic Development and the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Recently show organizers have developed a key Canadian buyer program offering exclusive benefits to top-tiered revenue producing retail and foodservice companies. These buyers will receive “tier one” treatment with benefits customized for their needs; plus they will be able to participate in organized one-on-one meeting with the vendors.

“This is an exceptional business event for an exceptional market,” Wood says. “Toronto is a recognized center of excellence in ethnic and specialty food production, as well as being an engine of the region’s trade growth. We are pleased to have partnered with all levels of government and financial institutions, to ensure that each of the industry’s stakeholder groups are assured of an event that will provide lasting economic benefits to all participants.”

Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo is produced by Diversified Business Communications Canada, a division of Diversified Business Communications. Diversified, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through trade exhibitions, magazine publishing, and online resources on four continents. In addition to this event, other products in Diversified’s specialty food and natural/organic portfolio include Expo Comida Latina, All Asia Food Expo, Kosherfest, and All Things Organic ™. Diversified serves a number of other industries including natural and organic products, complementary and natural health care, seafood, and business management. For more information, visit: www.divbusiness.com
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Photos and logos available on request.