ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced that Taste NY has achieved his goal of tripling gross sales of participating vendors in 2015. Total gross sales of New York products from Taste NY events and stores has grown from about $1.5 million in 2014 to more than $4.5 million this year.
Cuomo launched the Taste NY initiative in 2013 to promote the state’s food and beverage industries.
“The momentum behind Taste NY continues and is helping to expand New York’s thriving food and beverage industry faster than anyone thought possible,” Cuomo said in a news release.
Last year, the state added four new Taste NY stores (it now has 11), increased marketing opportunities, and established several new partnerships to expand the Taste NY initiative.
A new Taste NY Café at Whiteface Mountain formally opened its doors last week. This new agri-tourism attraction offers visitors local food and beverages in between ski runs. The café sells local yogurts, cheeses, baked goods, craft beer, hard cider, and wine, according to the release.
The Taste NY initiative 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 New York State Fair. The program has also opened stores at Thruway rest stops.
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