What marketing tools/strategies can I use to expand the exposure of my food products.?!

Here's my suggestion for what it's worth:

First, I think that you might want to consider joining a local Small Business Association or Networking group. By doing so, you'll be among those who might be able to assist you in brainstorming as well as networking. Obtaining a business license & proper Food Handling Certification is also key. You certainly don't want to have a great product, money rolling in and everything going well and then getting dinged for not doing it through the proper legal channels. This sadly happens all the time. And above all taking the much needed time to write out a Professional Business Plan is also top priority. You know that you want to have a successful product...that's a given. But "how" you are going to do it...is the unknown. By having an actual business plan drawn up, you will:
A) Gain credibility on a professional, personal and financial level (Also, there isn't a bank that will deal with you for loans without one).
B) Keep you on track to what you want, need and have to do to make it work.


Second, you probably would benefit by finding a "consultant" of sorts. By that I don't mean some high priced character that overcharges for little results. I'm talking about finding a mentor in someone who's "been there and done that". Try to seek out a few local or regional food producers. They might be up for offering professional assistance to a degree. How to find local producers...easy...go to your grocery store and look at food items that are NOT national brands.
Chances are you'll run across a few. It doesn't matter what kind of food item it is...just make sure it's in keeping with where you would seek your product placement. Also, contact a few local Food Brokerage Companies to seek advice.

Third, you might want to focus solely on local product placement FIRST. National and international is a whole other ballgame. Now, it doesn't mean you can't do it but I think with local product placement comes better quality control on a smaller scale. Once you involve national and overseas product placement, you have to deal with all kinds of things from (Language translation/marketing, International food regulations, USDA regulations, Worldwide logistics issues-Export licenses, Freight, Storage, Shipping...)

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head....

I'm a personal chef. Grandparents & parents all grew up and had professional careers in the Grocery & Food Brokerage Industry.