AgMRC-Developed Materials

• Farmer-Owned Brands?, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2003 - This paper discusses the possibility of creating brands for Midwestern food products.
• Geographical Indications, Property Rights and Value-added Agriculture, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University, 2003 -  What do Vidalia onions, Wisconsin cheese and Kona coffee have that feta cheese, champagne and cognac do not? The first three products have trademark protection for their brand names (in this case, through U.S. trademark law). The latter three have no brand name protection, but that could change.

Other Information

• Brand and Line Extensions, Food Resource, Oregon State University - This site reviews the use of private and public brands and co-branding.
• Brand Features – Profile, Brandchannel.com - This site offers an ongoing series of profiles describing the history behind selected national brands.
• Branded Fast Food, Convenience.Net – C-Store.Com - This site lists branded products being marketed through convenience stores and franchises.
• Branded Produce: Potential Impacts on the Food System, ACTA Horticulture.
• Branding for Success, Rural Cooperatives magazine, Rural Development, USDA, 2007 - Discusses Agricultural Marketing certification programs, trademarks, service marks and certification marks.
• Cornell University Food & Brand Lab - Independently funded research focuses on better understanding consumers and how they relate to foods and packaged foods.
• The Geography of Flavor, Washington Post, 2007 - This article discusses place-based foods and the concept of place in ag sales.
• Recipe for Success?, USA Weekend, 2003 - Even the simplest design changes typically involve teams of researchers and millions of dollars.
• Store Brands Today, Private Label Manufacturers Association - This site provides statistics on the size and scope of store brands.
• Trends in the Marketing of Fresh Produce and Fresh-cut Products, Roberta Cook, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2007.
• Understanding the Dynamics of Produce Markets: Consumption and Consolidation Grow, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2000 - New packaged and branded produce items are gaining acceptance and vying for shelf space in supermarket produce departments.
• Weighing Incentives for Food Safety in Meat and Poultry, Amber Waves, USDA, 2003 - This article tells why producers of branded products invest more in food safety than those with unbranded products.

Links to Other Sites

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Mandates of labeling food products outlined by the USDA.

Links checked December 2009.