Governor Cuomo Announces Taste NY Sales Nearly Tripled In 2016
More than $13.1 Million in Sales in 2016 through Taste NY Stores, Concessions and EventsRecord Sales Exceed Governor's Ambitious 2016 Goal
Governor Proposes Expansion of Taste NY in 2017-18 Budget to Further Strengthen State’s Food and Beverage Industry and Promote Agritourism Statewide
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced Taste NY sales nearly tripled
in 2016, surpassing his goal of doubling sales of participating businesses
in one year. Total gross sales of New York products from Taste NY stores,
cafés, bars, concessions and events topped $13.1 million last year,
achieving Taste NY’s highest annual sales in the program’s
history. The significant growth reflects increasing consumer demand for
local products, which in-turn supports New York’s agricultural industry
and food and beverage sectors.
“Taste NY continues to connect New York’s world-class farmers
and food and beverage producers with New Yorkers hungry for locally made
goods, as well as those across the nation and around the world who crave
the high quality of Empire State-made products,"
Governor Cuomo said. “These sales numbers are proof positive of Taste NY's success
and we will continue investing in this program to help create jobs and
spur economic growth in businesses and communities across New York."
In November 2016, Governor Cuomo announced that sales had already surpassed
$10.5 million, up from approximately $4.5 million in 2015. With the addition
of sales in the fourth quarter, sales for 2016 amounted to more than $13.1 million.
2016 Taste NY Expansion
The increase of sales in 2016 was supported by the addition of four new
Taste NY stores and cafés last year. In addition, Governor Cuomo
announced the first-ever Taste NY
Bar at Barclays Center, home to the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Islanders.
Following that announcement, Taste NY partnered with the New York State
Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Live Nation
Entertainment to promote New York’s growing craft beverage industry
through the launch of a second Taste NY Bar at
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. Through its collaboration with State Parks, millions of annual visitors
can also now enjoy locally-made products at both Jones Beach and
Niagara Falls State Park.
Thanks to other partnerships in 2016, New York-made products are now offered on 13
Amtrak trains and at five
Minor League Baseball stadiums in the State. Participation in dozens of major events provided
additional opportunities for New York’s agricultural producers and
small businesses to showcase their products to large and diverse audiences.
Last year was the first-ever Taste NY presentation at the
Barclays Golf Tournament at Bethpage State Park, which promoted dozens of New York farms and food and beverage producers
during the four-day PGA event.
Expanding Taste NY in 2017
To build on the success of 2016 and further connect New York producers
to new markets, Governor Cuomo’s 2017-2018 Executive Budget proposes
support for Taste NY at new welcome centers across the State.
The Governor’s budget also includes expanding the sale of alcoholic
beverages in certain venues, such as movie theaters, which will provide
a boost to the State’s craft beverage industry. In addition, the
Governor is proposing the launch of a first-ever New York Craft Beverage
Week and a new grant for craft beverage producers to engage in joint marketing
campaigns and enter products in national and international competitions.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Taste NY has given consumers an opportunity to better understand
what the State has known all along—our local food and beverage companies
are truly second to none. Because of the strong, positive response to
the Taste NY brand, agricultural producers and small businesses in every
region of the State are growing, expanding their operations and adding
jobs, and helping to strengthen the State economy. I am thrilled with
the success of Taste NY so far and I am excited to take the program to
the next level in 2017.”
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Governor Cuomo’s investments in the Taste NY program have
greatly increased sales and awareness of our craft products. We remain
committed to promoting New York State-made food and beverages, while supporting
job creation and expansion of our Taste NY companies.”
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Patty Ritchie said, “In recent years, more and more consumers have taken an interest
in ‘eating local,’ which has not just benefited New York’s
overall economy—it’s provided a major boost to our hardworking
farmers too. I have been proud to support efforts that help promote local
foods, and would like to thank the Governor and Commissioner Ball for
being keenly aware of the potential New York grown and produced products
have to strengthen our state’s bottom line and continue moving its
leading industry forward.”
Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Bill Magee said, “The Governor’s Taste NY program has given increased visibility
to outstanding New York State foods and beverages, and has helped to make
those goods available to fill a growing public demand for fresh, local
farm products. As the program continues to succeed and expand, so does
New York agriculture; through increasing availability of products, success
of participating farms and businesses, and support to consumers.”
David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President, said, “New York farmers are proud of the products we produce. Taste NY
is a visible way to showcase the rich diversity of agriculture in this
state and to encourage people to try food and beverages that originated
on the farm. The growth in Taste NY sales validates what we have long
known, once people taste New York product, they will become repeat customers.”
Dr. Chris Watkins, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, said, “The Cornell Cooperative Extension system is pleased to partner with
the Governor’s Taste NY initiative, which promotes New York’s
excellent products, many of which come from local farms. Taste NY is an
unparalleled opportunity for the Extension system to provide food safety,
business and marketing expertise while offering local producers the ability
to test, market and track product development. Taste NY has proven to
be an economic driver for New York State, has allowed for improved communication
about New York’s farms and provided healthier options for consumers
during their travels and events.”
Corinna and Jason Geib, Owners of ImmuneSchein in Kingston, Ulster County, said, “Being part of the Taste NY store on the Taconic Parkway gave us
the opportunity to offer our products to the many people that travel through
the Hudson Valley. Taste NY has grown to be one of our biggest customers
in the first year, with a constant increase of order volume to date, and
has been a great help with the success of our company.”
Eric Cole, Vice President of Java Joe’s Roasting Co. in Brooklyn, said, “Taste NY is a commonsense approach to highlighting and promoting
New York’s finest food and beverage producers. This is a program
that produces tangible results for small businesses like ours and consumers
alike. Taste NY is also dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of
New York’s producers. The visibility this program has provided to
Java Joe's Roasting Company has been tremendous!”
Keith Gibson, Owner of Grazin’ Angus Acres in Ghent, Columbia County, said, “Serving mid-state customers through the Taste NY Market at Todd
Hill has allowed us to reach a whole new demographic.The program has allowed
our business to bridge the gap between our Upstate farm and restaurant
sales and our sales at farmers’ markets in New York City.”
Lorna Cline, Owner of Cline’s Catering in Binghamton said, “As a vendor of sandwiches and various food products, Taste NY has
opened our eyes to a wide variety of exceptional New York State culinary
delights. We are pleased to be part of this exciting and intriguing initiative.”
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.
Over the last three years, 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.
For more information about Taste NY, please visit
www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram and
Pinterest.