Taste NY events in 2015 helped triple gross
\nsales of participating vendors in 2015, including
\nits presence at Saratoga Race Course, according
\nto the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.<\/p>\n
In less than one year, total gross sales of New
\nYork products from Taste NY events and stores
\njumped from approximately $1.5 million in 2014
\nto over $4.5 million today, according to the state.<\/p>\n
“The momentum behind Taste NY continues
\nand is helping to expand New York’s thriving
\nfood and beverage industry faster than anyone
\nthought possible,” Cuomo said. “I’m proud that
\nour ambitious sales goal has been reached and
\nthat these efforts are helping to create jobs, support
\nfarmers and small businesses, and get the
\nword out about the world-class products made
\nright here in New York.”<\/p>\n
Last year, Cuomo called for the further
\ndevelopment of Taste NY in order to continue
\nstrengthening New York’s growing food and
\nbeverage industry. The plan added four new
\nTaste NY stores, increased marketing opportunities,
\nestablished several new partnerships and
\nstrengthened connections to consumers across
\nthe globe, officials said.<\/p>\n
\nThe latest piece of this expansion includes
\na new Taste NY Caf\u00e9 at Whiteface Mountain,
\nwhich opened its in late December. It offers a
\nwide range of North Country and New York
\nstate agricultural products–from local yogurts,
\ncheeses and baked goods to craft beer, hard cider
\nand wine.<\/p>\n
The Taste NY Caf\u00e9 at Whiteface builds on
\nthe successful concession partnerships forged
\nin 2015 with major venues and sports arenas
\nlike the Times Union Center in Albany, as well
\nas minor league baseball teams across the State,
\nincluding the Tri-City Valley Cats and Batavia
\nMuckdogs. Additionally, more than 1,100 vendors
\nand small companies participated in more
\nthan 43 Taste NY special events, ranging from
\nthe New York State Racing Association's Belmont
\nStakes and the Saratoga Race Course to the
\nSpiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, Summer Fancy
\nFood Show and the Great New York State Fair.<\/p>\n
Another key part of Taste NY's success was
\nthe addition of four Taste NY stores opened
\nearlier this year bringing the total number of
\nstores to 11. This includes the very first Taste
\nNY store outside of New York state which was
\nestablished in Old San Juan Puerto Rico and new
\nstores inside travel plazas and rest stops along
\nState highways.<\/p>\n
The Taste NY Market at Todd Hill having recently
\nhit a major milestone and bringing in $1
\nmillion in sales, and the Grand Central Station
\nstore reporting having carried 3,500 different
\nproducts and having served 53,000 customers
\nin 2015, officials said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the state Department of Agriculture
\nand Markets partnered with Empire
\nState Development to provide New Yorkers and
\nvisitors worldwide instant access to a list of all
\nthe Taste NY agri-tourism destinations through
\nthe I LOVE NY mobile app, bringing greater
\nexposure to New York's food and beverage businesses
\nacross the state.<\/p>\n
The department also worked with Food Export
\nUSA and Empire State Development this
\nyear to ensure Taste NY products were included
\nin the Governor Cuomo's trade missions to Cuba
\nand Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard
\nA. Ball said Taste NY "is making a significant
\nimpact on our farmers and producers, helping
\nto provide exposure for their products and grow
\ntheir business. New York has some of the most
\nunique and diverse food and beverages in the
\nworld, and I couldn't be happier to see that consumers
\nfrom across the globe are taking notice
\nand responding to the Taste NY brand to support
\nNew York homemade products."<\/p>\n