Region unveils CNY Fresh marketing campaign

UTICA — Tourism and agriculture officials in Broome, Chenango, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie counties have collaborated on the development of a buy local campaign unveiled Sept. 8.

The goals of CNY Fresh, the Flavors of Central New York are to increase consumer awareness of locally produced foods and agricultural products leading to increased sales and economic development across the region.

Oneida County Tourism and Oneida County are the lead entities on the CNY Fresh, the Flavors of Central New York project. Oneida County Tourism received a grant of $18,555 from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets to develop the branding campaign and implement a marketing campaign for it. Tourism and agriculture professionals from each of the other counties are assisting with the project.

ABC Creative Group, the agency of record for Central New York vacation region, has provided creative design services for the brand and brand message as well as technical assistance and execution of the marketing plan.

“This grand has afforded the region the opportunity to create the CNY Fresh brand and initiate phase one of a buy local campaign with an emphasis on the prime fall season,” Kelly Blazosky, president of Oneida County Tourism, said in a news release. “CNYFresh.com will be a regional resource for the promotion of locally produced foods as well as a tool to stimulate agri-tourism visitation to Central New York destinations.”

To kick off the program and build awareness, 4,000 small market bags will be distributed to farmers’ markets across the region along with 8,000 brand labels for specialty crop producers to utilize.

CNYFresh.com will house a searchable database of locally produced foods, farmers’ markets, and agri-tourism experiences available across the eight-county region.

Contact DeLore at tdelore@tmvbj.com