|
Governor
Cuomo Announces Taste NY Sales
More
Than Double in 2016
|
More than $10.5
Million in Sales To Date in 2016 Through Taste NY Stores,
Concessions and
Events Sales Exceed Governor’s Ambitious State of the State Goal
|
Albany,
NY – December 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Taste
NY initiative has surpassed his goal of doubling gross sales of participating
businesses in 2016. In less than one year, total gross sales of New York
products from Taste NY stores, concessions and events have jumped from
approximately $4.5 million in 2015 to more than $10.5 million to date in
2016. The increase in sales reflects the growing consumer demand for local
products, which supports New York’s agriculture industry and small businesses.
|
“Taste
NY shines a light on New York’s world class food and beverages, and this
milestone demonstrates the continued and growing demand for locally made
and homegrown goods,” Governor Cuomo said. “By promoting these great New
York products, we are helping to support local farms and businesses, create
jobs and increase economic growth across New York. With the holiday season
still ahead of us, the Taste NY initiative is poised to have an even greater
2016.”
In
this year’s State of the State address, Governor Cuomo set an ambitious
goal of doubling Taste NY’s 2015 sales figures, from $4.5 million to $9
million, in order to continue strengthening New York’s growing food and
beverage industry and provide a platform for the State’s agribusinesses
to market their products. This plan included the addition of four new Taste
NY stores and Cafés and two new Taste NY Bars, established several
new partnerships, increased marketing opportunities for vendors at special
events, and strengthened connections to consumers across the globe.
Taste
NY Markets, Cafés and Stores
A
Taste NY Market recently opened inside the brand new Long Island Welcome
Center in Dix Hills, providing an opportunity for local producers to market
their products, connect New York’s residents and visitors to the state’s
food and beverage producers and encourage agritourism. The Taste NY Market
showcases a broad selection of fresh made breakfast and lunch items using
ingredients sourced from Long Island growers and offers local grab-and-go
snacks and specialty items for sale.
The
Market’s opening followed the launch of several unique Taste NY Café/Bistro
and Store locations across the State, created to spotlight agriculture
and promote tourism. In September, a new Taste NY Bistro opened at the
Javits Center in New York City. In addition, the Lock E-13 Living History
rest area in the Mohawk Valley opened to travelers this summer and includes
a new Taste NY store.
In
May, the Governor cut the ribbon on the new State Parks renovation project
at Jones Beach, which included a Taste NY Café. The Café
in the West Bathhouse is one of the busiest Taste NY locations in the state,
with more than 6 million people visiting Jones Beach seasonally, and features
products from more than 30 different food and beverage producers located
in nearly every region of New York, including Long Island.
Taste
NY Partnerships
In
2016, the Governor also announced Taste NY’s partnership with Amtrak to
bring New York-made products to travelers both in- and out-of-state, and
those visiting from across the globe. Through this new pilot program, New
York food and beverage items are available on the snack cars of 13 New
York trains. Amtrak estimates that approximately 1 million passengers travel
these routes annually. Taste NY also partnered with Niagara Falls State
Park to feature locally-made products throughout the park and at its Top
of the Falls Restaurant.
Events/Concessions
Each
year, Taste NY participates in 40 to 80 events, where attendees can sample
local products, learn about local brands, and purchase New York-made food
and beverages. These events range from a very popular Taste NY Marketplace
at the Great New York State Fair to the first-ever Taste NY presentation
at the Barclays Golf Tournament at Bethpage State Park, which promoted
dozens of New York farms and producers during the four-day PGA event.
The
pop-up Taste NY Café at the Barclays Tournament builds on the successful
concession partnerships forged in 2016 with major venues and sports arenas
like Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. The
Taste NY Bar at Barclays Center, home to Brooklyn Nets and the New York
Islanders, offers a full selection of New York wine, beer, spirits and
cider from across the State to the arena’s approximately two million visitors
annually. Taste NY also partnered with State Parks and the premier live
entertainment company, Live Nation, to promote New York’s growing craft
beverage industry through the launch of a second Taste NY Bar at Nikon
at Jones Beach Theater.
This
year, the State’s partnership with Minor League Baseball teams was expanded
to include the Tri-City Valley Cats, Batavia Muckdogs, Auburn Doubledays,
Staten Island Yankees, and Rochester Red Wings. Together, these stadiums
see approximately 820,000 seasonal visitors.
State
Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York has some of
the most unique and diverse food and beverages in the world, made with
ingredients grown and produced by New York farmers. I couldn’t be happier
to see that consumers from across the globe are taking notice and responding
to the Taste NY brand to support New York homemade products. The program
has really taken off this year and I don’t see a limit to our potential
success in providing exposure for these terrific businesses who are making
for a more robust agricultural industry and helping to grow New York’s
economy.”
Dean
Norton, New York Farm Bureau President, said, “Products grown and made
by New York’s farmers are second to none, and the success of the Taste
NY program highlights the growing consumer interest in what our farmers
have to offer. As marketing efforts increase, we are confident that farmers
across the state will meet the growing demand. This will not only give
consumers what they’re looking for but also support the rural farm economy.”
Ryan
Fleischhauer, Owner of Horseshoe Brand, said, “Our experience with
Taste NY has been pleasurable and productive to say the least. Not only
have we been invited to numerous Taste NY events to exhibit our products,
but we have forged strong relationships with Taste NY stores as well. We
would fully recommend any other New York businesses to get involved with
Taste NY to gain recognition of their own product line.”
Barry
Moore, Owner of JNB Foods in Albany, said, “The Taste NY platform has
been a huge benefit in branding New York companies here in New York and
abroad. Taste NY has a distinction of healthy, high-quality products that
are made with pride. We are proud to promote that we are ‘Delicious, Nutritious,
Gluten-Free’ and a Taste NY company that is also a Veteran-owned family
business.”
Mike
Spuck, President of Sweet Carol Swine BBQ LLC in Henrietta, said, “I
would like to thank Taste NY so much for having Sweet Carol Swine BBQ LLC
participate in this year’s NYS Fair. The Taste NY program is so valuable
for growing and branding my company and products and I can’t begin to thank
you enough.”
Anthony
Benti, Owner of Bent’s Fresh Bread, said, “Taste NY’s commitment to
providing the people of New York quality, local products is something that
I am very proud to be a part of. I am extremely excited about the future
opportunities that will come.”
Paul
Guglielmo, owner of Gugielmo Sauce, said, “When I became a part of
Taste NY, it provided a legitimacy to my product that I had been looking
for. It showed how proud of New York we are, and that the State is clearly
proud of its products. Being able to sample our products at such a massive
event, like The Great New York State Fair, adds a great amount of value
to the program that we were able to capitalize in many ways. I would not
only recommend it, but would consider it a near requirement for any company
making products in New York to join Taste NY.”
Michael
Cisternino, owner of Grandpa’s Dippin’ Sauce, said, “I am the sole
owner of my company and have been involved with Taste NY for years. The
contacts I have received from Taste NY have been a great help in moving
my company forward. I am especially thankful that they provide my company
with a booth at the New York State Fair. This allows me to reach a broad
audience, which I wouldn’t normally reach. I am grateful to be a member.”
Judy
Provo, owner of Pa’s Pistols Sweet Hickory Sauce said, “Being a member
of Taste NY has made it possible for me to get my product tasted all over
New York State. If it weren’t for Taste NY, only customers at my local
farmers’ markets would know about Pa’s Pistols Sweet Hickory Sauce. Thank
You Taste NY.”
About
Taste NY
Taste
NY is an initiative launched by Governor Cuomo in 2013 to promote New York’s
food and beverage industries. It is overseen by the Department of Agriculture
and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase
their goods at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair
and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park.
Since
its launch in 2013, the Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and
recognition. The program reported sales of $1.5 million in 2014 and tripled
those figures to $4.5 million in 2015. Today, New York products sold under
Taste NY branding are available in more than 60 locations throughout the
State as well as the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in San
Juan, Puerto Rico. Every month, the Taste NY program receives information
from, on average, 30 New York food and beverage businesses interested in
taking part in the Taste NY initiative and its events.
For
more information about Taste NY, please visit www.taste.ny.gov.
Connect with Taste NY through Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram and Pinterest.
Governor’s
Press Office
Contact:
press.office@exec.ny.gov
Albany:
518-474-8418
New
York City: 212-681-4640 |