Governor Cuomo Announces Taste NY Vending Machines To Premiere At The 2014 Great New York State Fair
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Taste NY vending machines have premiered at the Great New York State Fair. Featuring a number of items from across the state, the vending machines provide fairgoers with another way to experience some of New York’s best homegrown products, and proceeds from the machines at the fair will benefit the Food Bank of Central New York. Additionally, Taste NY vending machines will be added at select Department of Transportation rest areas across the state in the coming weeks.
“One of the best ways we can support New York’s agricultural businesses is to expose them to new markets where their products can thrive, and today we’re opening up another frontier for local vendors from across the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Taste NY program is continuing to raise the profile of our many world-class brands, and I encourage all New Yorkers – whether at the State Fair this week or on a drive across the State this fall – to be on the lookout for these tremendous products.”
The State Department of Agriculture and Markets coordinated with the New York State Automatic Vending Association on this initiative at the Great New York State Fair. Two machines will be located directly in Governor Cuomo’s booth, while three others will be placed around the grounds, including the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ booth. The New York State Commission for the Blind will be implementing the rollout of the rest of these machines in cooperation with DOT shortly after the Fair. The Commission’s Business Enterprise Program offers opportunities for individuals who are blind to gain the training and skills necessary to manage one of several vending facilities located in Federal and State office buildings throughout New York State.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “At the 2014 Great New York State Fair, thanks in large part to Governor Cuomo’s Taste NY initiative, New York agriculture will have the most prominent place at the table. These vending machines will complement existing stores and kiosks located throughout the state and expand opportunities for New York food and beverage producers. Taste NY is a great program with a huge upside for New York agriculture.”
State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, “Adding Taste NY vending machines to select rest areas across New York State will give travelers healthy options that support businesses and tourism right here in New York. Governor Cuomo’s support of food and drink produced in New York State is unparalleled and I look forward to working with Commissioner Ball on future endeavors to spread the word about what New York has to offer.”
New York State Commission for the Blind Associate Commissioner Brian Daniels said, “The Commission for the Blind makes self-sufficiency for legally blind New Yorkers its top priority, and we are thrilled to partner with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Taste NY to produce new jobs and provide more opportunities for individuals who are blind to achieve independence. The State Fair provides a tremendous kick-off for this program, which will not only help workers who are blind, but also businesses, which will be able to provide jobs to a pool of talented, trained people.”
John Murn, Vice President of the New York State Vending Association, said, “The New York State Vending Association and partners are proud to present Taste NY machines at the State Fair in Syracuse this year. A special thanks to Cicarelli Vending for supporting the project at the State Fair. Cicarelli Vending is based in Syracuse and is servicing the machines for the duration of the Fair. These state-of-the-art machines will feature a rotating selection of food and beverages that represent the diversity and creativity from producers across the State. Highlights from these machines will include video clips from New York based companies as well as Taste NY videos. This is a great partnership that we look forward to continuing in the future.”
Products featured include:
- Finger Lakes Fresh sliced apples (Groton)
- Red Jacket Orchard juices (Geneva)
- Heluva Good Cheese curds and string cheese (Sodus)
- Cheribundi juice refreshers (Geneva)
- Frito Lay Tostito Rounds (Kirkwood/Binghamton)
- Chobani Yogurt (South Edmeston)
- Sweet Sam's cookies (Bronx)
- Peeled Snacks (Dundee)
- Emmy's Organics (Ithaca)
- Barkeater Chocolates (North Creek
- Muller Yogurt (Batavia)
- Karma Wellness Water (Rochester)
- Stone Cold Creamery Shakes (Elma)
The selection will rotate to represent the many fine products grown and manufactured in New York State. For more information about the Taste NY program, please visit taste.ny.gov.
The New York State Fair is operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and showcases the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment. This year's theme, “Summer’s Best in Show," and tagline, "New Attractions, Old Favorites, Timeless Fun," highlight the more than two dozen new events and attractions and the expansion or enhancement of several Fairgoer favorites. The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year.
A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair's website. Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/nysfair. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at [email protected].
