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New
York State Fair’s Annual
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Taste
NY Food Truck Competition Continues
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to Grow with New
Location, New Days
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Applications Now Being Accepted
from
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Food Truck Chefs for the 2019
Competition
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Syracuse,
NY – February 2019 / Newsmaker Alert / One of the most popular
events of the Great New York State Fair,
the annual Taste
NY Food Truck Competition, will move to a new home in 2019. Food trucks
from around the state will ring the pond in the New York Experience festival
area as they compete for the title of cooking up the state’s most popular
dish made with New York State grown and produced ingredients. The competition
will also change days, moving to the final two days of the Fair, Sunday
and Monday, September 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. ALDI
sponsors the Food Truck Competition along with Taste
NY.
“This competition continues
to grow, both in the number of food trucks competing and in the number
of fairgoers lining up to try all the delicious entrees. Moving the festivities
to the western part of the Fairgrounds, with plenty of grassy areas and
seating, will make the competition a more comfortable experience for everyone
and will be one more reason to enjoy one of the great spots on the Fairgrounds,”
said Troy Waffner, Fair Director.
“ALDI is proud and excited
to again partner with the State Fair on this great event. We know the Taste
NY Food Truck Competition always brings out the best of the best across
the state, and we can’t wait to try their dishes,” said Aaron Sumida, Tully
division vice president for ALDI. “ALDI is honored to provide the winning
food trucks gift cards, so they can buy premium food at affordable prices
for their future culinary endeavors.”
Food truck chefs continue
to bring their most creative ideas to the competition. Among last year’s
winners were a mushroom steak slider, an apple bacon cheddar grilled cheese
sandwich, a jerk pork taco and a hot honey pizza. Thirty-five food trucks
competed, with winners coming from Syracuse, Rochester, Geneseo, Binghamton
and Auburn, and entrants coming from every corner of the state.
Applications are now being
taken for the 2019 competition. Food
truck operators can apply here until July 1. Food trucks sell samples
of their best entree for $3. Fairgoers then vote for their favorite via
text to a phone number revealed on the day of the competition. Prizes of
Aldi gift cards for $1,000, $500 and $250 will be given to each day’s top
three vote-getters. Competitors cannot sell other food products.
Competitors are required
primarily to use food products grown or made in New York for their entrees.
The competition supports Taste NY, the state Agriculture Department’s program
to promote to consumers food from New York State. Fairgoers can purchase
excellent products from around the state at the Taste NY store in the Horticulture
Building and can try free samples of products at the sampling area next
to the store. The Fair continues to require its food and beverage vendors
to use New York products whenever possible.
About ALDI U.S.
A leader in the grocery
retailing industry since 1976, ALDI operates more than 1,800 U.S. stores
in 35 states. More than 40 million customers each month benefit from the
simple, streamlined approach ALDI brings to retailing. ALDI sells frequently
purchased grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands,
which meet or exceed national name brands on taste and quality. ALDI has
been one of America’s favorite grocery retailers, and for the eighth consecutive
year, the Value Leader for grocery shoppers, according to a 2018 survey
of U.S. consumers by Market Force Information®*. ALDI also backs up
its products with a Twice as Nice Guarantee: replacing the product AND
offering a full refund. For more information about ALDI, visit ALDI.us.
*According to annual surveys
of U.S. consumers conducted from 2011 to 2018 by Market Force Information®
About Taste NY
The Taste
NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition since it was created
in 2013. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture
and Markets, has created opportunities for local producers to showcase
their goods at a variety of venues throughout the State and at large public
events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament
at Bethpage State Park. It has also helped the farms and companies participating
in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and, in
many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Taste NY’s
food and beverage businesses also support the State’s farmers by using
New York grown and produced ingredients in their products.
New York products sold under
Taste NY branding (Taste.NY.gov) are
available in more than 70 locations throughout the State as well as the
New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
About New York State Fair
Founded in 1841, the Great
New York State Fair is America’s third largest state fair. The fair showcases
the best of New York agriculture and provides top-quality entertainment.
The 2019 Fair runs from August 21 to September 2. Information about the
Fair can be found here.
The New York State Fairgrounds
is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year.
A year-round schedule of events is available
here. Find the Great New York State Fair on Facebook,
follow @NYSFair on Twitter, on
Snapchat at nysfair and enjoy photos from the Fair on Flickr.
Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York
State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.
Media Contacts:
Jola
Szubielski
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture
& Markets
518-457-0752
Dave
Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377 |