Albany, NY - September 14, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York food and beverage producers will showcase their more than 100 of their products on Capitol Hill at the 15th annual New York Farm Day in Washington D.C. The event provides an opportunity to highlight the quality and diversity of New York agriculture and its economic impact on the State, in addition to giving producers a forum to discuss important issues and challenges facing the industry today.

"Some of this nation's finest food and beverages comes from right here in New York and this event gives us the opportunity to showcase the best the Empire State has to offer to the rest of the nation," Governor Cuomo said. "Over the past six years, we have worked hard to cut bureaucratic red tape for producers and increase exposure for their products. Thanks to these efforts, New York agriculture continues to flourish and play a critical role in the growth of our economy."

New York Farm Day starts with an informational workshop in the nation's capital, and a question and answer session for the State's food and beverage producers with the Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, New York's first member of the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly four decades. Later, the state's products—from Long Island award-winning wines to the North Country’s award-winning cheeses—will be featured during a reception, co-sponsored and organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, attended by more than 500 elected officials and distinguished guests.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, "I'm pleased to attend New York Farm Day on behalf of Governor Cuomo and extend this administration’s support of our world-class food and beverage producers. With nearly 36,000 farms and over 4,500 food manufacturers, New York proudly produces some of the best agricultural products in the world. New York is also home to a thriving craft beverage community that continues to make unique products using New York ingredients. As we gather in D.C., I look forward to hearing from our producers and sharing the very best of New York agriculture with the nation."

Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said, "Farm Day is a unique and important opportunity for us to showcase the best of what New York's farmers and producers have to offer. Every year we bring New York to Washington, DC, and I am thrilled that this has become such an anticipated event on the Congressional calendar. New York's farmers and producers are some of the best in the world, and this is a great opportunity to spread the word even further about the quality of our produce. I know we are all looking forward to sampling some of the incredible wine, beer, spirits, cider, milk, food and produce that will be on display."

The event is organized according to the State's major wine-producing regions—Long Island, Brooklyn and New York City, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Niagara and Erie areas, and the North Country. Each region features a diverse array of foods and beverages, with some including restaurants featuring New York products.

A list of the participating producers are as follows:

Wines of Long Island-- A selection of award-winning wines from Bedell Cellars, Coffee Pot Cellars, Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard, Kontokosta Winery, Lieb Cellars, Macari Vineyards, Martha Clara Vineyards, McCall Wines, Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, One Woman Wines & Vineyards, Palmer Vineyards, Paumanok Vineyards, Raphael Vineyards, Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, Suhru Wines, and Wolffer Estate Vineyard

K & B Seafood--Fresh Oysters and Clams

Jewel--Seared Crescent Farm Duck Breast; Toasted Barley Salad with Raspberry-Coffee Vinaigrette and Petit Licorice Greens--by Chef Thomas Schaudel

Distilled Spirits of New York--Black Squirrel Distillery, Dark Island Spirits, Lockhouse Distillery, Tuthilltown Spirits, and Van Brunt Stillhouse

Orwashers Bakery--Morning Spelt, Levain Locale, Ultimate Whole Wheat, and Chardonnay Rustica & Sesamo Breads made with flour from Farmer Ground and North Country Farms, and starters made with grapes from Channing Daughters Winery

New York State Maple Producers--Maple Cheesecake Delight made with maple-granulated sugar and cream cheese sourced from New York dairies

Seaway Trail Honey--Seaway Trail Honey Raw Honeycomb Tidbits, Honey Cookies, Roasted Nuts and Honey, Bee Berry Melomel, Honey & Hops Mead

Cornell University--Cornell Big Red Cheddar

Wines of the Hudson Valley--A selection of award-winning wines from Benmarl Winery, Brotherhood Winery, Clinton Vineyards, Millbrook Winery, Robibero Family Vineyards, Stoutridge Vineyard, and Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery

Red Jacket Orchards--Black & Blue Stomp (black currant and blueberry juice); Apricot Stomp; Tart Cherry Stomp.

State University of New York at Cobleskill--Smoked Campus-raised Brown Trout on Micro Greens with Yogurt Cheese and Spicy Pumpkin Vinaigrette; Centennial Celebration Pumpkin Cupcakes with Honey Buttercream

Wines of the Finger Lakes--A selection of award-winning wines from Fulkerson Winery, Goose Watch Winery, Hosmer Winery, Knapp Winery, Lakewood Vineyards, Red Newt Cellars, and Wagner Vineyards

New York Wine & Culinary Center--Chilled Buckwheat Noodle Salad tossed with Small World Organics Kimchee, Naked Dove Beer Braised Bostrom Farms Pork, and Marinated Chef Select Vegetables

Craft Ciders of New York--A selection of ciders from Brooklyn Cider House, Descendant Cider Company, Embark Craft Ciderworks, Good Life Cider, Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, and Nine Pin Ciderworks

Upstate Niagara Cooperative--Intense Chocolate and Salted Caramel Milk, and Greek Yogurt

Li-Lac Chocolates--Hazelnut Truffles, Marzipan Squares, Non-pareils, French Mint and Butter Crunch Chocolate

National Grape Cooperative/Welch's--Red and White Sparkling Grape Juice

Cabot Creamery Cooperative--McCadam Adirondack, Cabot New York Extra Sharp, and McCadam Empire Jack Cheeses

Wines of Lake Erie and Other New York Regions--A selection of award-winning wines from 21 Brix Winery, Johnson Estate Winery, and Liberty Vineyards & Winery (Lake Erie region); Coyote Moon Vneyards and Tug Hill Vineyards (North Country); Leonard Oakes Estate Winery (Niagara region); and Brooklyn Oenology (New York City)

North Country Specialties--Moser's Maple Mini's, Adirondack Beef Company Beef Sticks, Lowville Producer's Squeaky Fresh Cheese Curd, Kraft-Heinz Philadelphia Cream Cheese (from Philadelphia, New York!), and Domaine Champlain Applesauce

Mercer's Dairy--Lemon Sparkling, and Cherry Merlot, Wine Ice Creams

Dessert & Ice Wines of New York--A selection of award-winning wines from Casa Larga Vineyards, Fox Run Vineyards, Johnson Estate Winey, Lakewood Vineyards, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, Penguin Bay Winery, Sheldrake Point Winery, and Thirsty Owl Wine Company.

New York Apple Association--Fresh New York Apples and Red Jacket Orchards Cider

Empire Brewing Company--Slo' Mo IPA, Skinny Atlas Light, Two Dragons, White Aphro

Wines of the Finger Lakes--A selection of award-winning wines from Anthony Road Winery, Billsboro Winery, Chateau Lafayette Reneau, Dr. Konstantin Frank, Fox Run Vineyards, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Treleaven by King Ferry, and Ventosa Vineyards

Chobani--Chili Lime, Roasted Red Pepper, Three Pepper Salsa, and Smoked Onion Parmesan flavored dips; and Apple Veg, Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, and Mango flavored drinkable yogurts

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "New York’s growers and producers are incredibly innovative and their products are second to none so I’m pleased that once again, their products will be on display in our nation’s capital for all to sample and taste during New York Farm Day. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s leadership and support from Senator Gillibrand and our other elected officials, New York continues to provide support to our farmers who lead the nation in the production of dozens of commodities and some of the most unique and diverse products in the world."

New York Wine and Grape Foundation President Jim Tresize said, "The New York agricultural community is very fortunate to have public officials who understand that without farms there is no food, and that agriculture is a vital part of our economy and way of life. Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, Governor Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner Ball have all been great advocates of New York farm families and their many contributions. It is truly a great partnership."

New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton said, "New York Farm Day is a wonderful opportunity to show off what New York’s farmers do best, producing quality, good-tasting food and beverages. New York Farm Bureau is proud to be longtime supporter of the event, and I look forward to having meaningful conversations with Lieutenant Governor Hochul, Senator Gillibrand and other lawmakers and their staff about the importance of New York agriculture and how we can work together on issues that concern our family farms."

New York's nearly 36,000 farmers play a critical role in the state's economy. They account for more than $5.3 billion in agricultural commodity sales annually. New York ranks high among the major agricultural states in the nation, ranking in the Top 10 in 30 commodities. It ranks second in apple and maple syrup production, second in cabbage and snap beans, third in grapes, grape juice and wine, and fourth in pears and dairy, which is by far the largest segment of the agricultural sector.

The Governor's Taste NY program has proven hugely successful in helping to promote and increase exposure of the State’s food and beverage producers to consumer across the globe. Last year, the Governor announced that Taste NY had tripled the gross sales of participating producers from approximately $1.5 million in 2014 to more than $4.5 million in 2015. This year, Governor Cuomo set a goal to double the gross revenue to $9 million by the end of 2016 through the addition of four new stores, the launch of new partnerships at sports and entertainment venues, and the opening of new locations within the New York State Park system.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets has also worked with Food Export USA and Empire State Development to ensure Taste NY products were included in the Governor Cuomo's trade missions to Cuba and Puerto Rico.

About Taste NY
Taste NY was created by Governor Cuomo in 2013 and is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. It has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair. The program has also opened stores at Thruway rest stops along the state’s highways and in transportation hubs, enabling travelers to buy New York State’s homegrown and homemade products. Approximately 1,100 local companies have participated in these opportunities, further linking their products and the state’s growing food and beverage market to consumers from across the globe. For more information about Taste NY, please visit www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.