New York lobbies USDA for pilot program on Greek yogurt

New York is angling to be chosen as the site for a federal pilot program to test the cost effectiveness of including Greek yogurt in school meal programs.

New York State Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack detailing the state’s interest in the program, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office said today.

A number of companies have established Greek yogurt plants in New York in recent years, including Chobani, Fage, Alpina, and Mueller-Quaker. Chobani is headquartered in Chenango County.

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The state’s yogurt plants have doubled in number and production in the last five years. Milk production grew by nearly 850 million pounds in the same period, boosted by the demand from yogurt makers.

“As the nation’s leader in Greek yogurt production, New York is the natural fit to be selected to implement this pilot program,” Cuomo said in a news release. “Our state government is partnering with the private sector to bring down barriers to business growth and the results are showing in New York’s tremendous yogurt boom.

“New York state is eager to demonstrate that serving delicious Greek yogurt in our cafeterias will both improve the health of our children while helping our schools save money — a real win-win.”

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Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com

 

Kevin Tampone: