NEW YORK — The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is closing out the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York with its Taste NY & Craft Beverage Showcase and Farm to City Expo to further spotlight the State’s food and beverage industries. The Restaurant Show is one of the largest trade shows of its kind in the country and provides a unique opportunity for small New York food and beverage companies to directly connect with buyers and showcase their products to the global marketplace. New this year, the Department hosted an exclusive “Taste NY Flavor Tour,” providing the opportunity for 15 chefs and purchasing managers to taste some of New York’s finest foods and beverages.
Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are thrilled to be back to the International Restaurant Show and Farm to City Expo again this year. It is one of the top industry events in the country and provides a terrific opportunity to show off the incredible food and beverage innovation happening across New York State. The Taste NY Showcase and Flavor Tour will make it easy to see why our producers are unparalleled.”
The event, held annually at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City features nearly 550 vendors from around the world, including approximately 200 from New York State, throughout the trade show. New York products from more than 25 producers are featured in a special Taste NY & Craft Beverage Showcase for the duration of the show.
Products are available to sample from six regions across the state, including craft beverages, honey, maple, marinades, baked goods and more.
In addition, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is also hosting the annual Farm to City Expo at the Javits Center. This year’s focus is “Local Seafood Wave of the Future,” which will feature a panel discussion on locally-produced seafood and provide an opportunity to connect New York State’s wild caught and aquaculture producers with restaurant and foodservice buyers. The Department will also spotlight the growing oyster industry and highlight its participation in the New York State Grown & Certified marketing program.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York are co-sponsoring the presentation. More information about the Expo and participating panelists is available here.
About Taste NY
Taste NY is an initiative launched by Governor Cuomo in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries. It is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the State and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park.
The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition. The program reported sales of $1.5 million in 2014, tripled those figures to $4.5 million in 2015, and $13.1 million in 2016. Sales topped $16.1 million in 2017. The exposure from Taste NY has helped the farms and companies participating in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and, in many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Taste NY’s food and beverage businesses also support the State’s farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products.
For more information about Taste NY, please visit www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
–NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
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