LaGRANGE, N.Y. — On June 9th, the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill celebrated the third anniversary of its opening. A celebration took place at the Market located in Poughkeepsie on the historic Taconic State Parkway. State and local officials, including guest of honor, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball, participated in the festivities. Cupcakes by Todd Hill vendor Babette’s Kitchen frosted in Taste NY colors crowned the event.
On June 9, 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo cut the ribbon to open the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill, which has seen exponential growth over the last three years in sales of locally grown and produced food and farm products. This month, the Market surpassed the $3 million dollar mark in total sales since its opening. There are over 2,000 products from over 200 vendors represented in the Market.
“It has been awesome to see the success of the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill over the last three years and the ripple effect it’s had on the local agricultural economy,” Commissioner Ball said. “I was pleased to stand with the Governor and our partners at Cornell Cooperative Extension three years ago today to cut the ribbon on this very first Taste NY store. I’m excited today to celebrate the Taste NY Market, which has not only become a visible place for locals and visitors to try a New York made product, but has also become a staple in the region for education and special events designed to boost New York agriculture. Congratulations to the entire Todd Hill team for their commitment to Taste NY and the agricultural community.”
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said: “The Taste NY Market at Todd Hill has seen tremendous success and economic growth over the past three years. We are pleased to have so many of Dutchess County’s own local agricultural and value-added products featured in a one-stop shopping destination, easily available to those living and traveling throughout Dutchess County and New York State. If you haven’t had the opportunity to stop by the Taste NY Market, be sure to check it out this summer and all year long to pick up your favorite local products!”
Taste NY at Todd Hill Market Manager Lachele Coninx-Wiley said: “In three years, we have built a business that is sustainable, supports agricultural community outreach and education, and is recognized as a destination for the finest food products in the region. The Todd Hill staff’s energy and dedication, along with Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County’s (CCEDC) administrative and programming support is immense. As a result of the Taste NY initiative, farms and value added vendors have increased access to retail markets while consumers are introduced to local and new products which they are very excited to see and eager to buy. Sales revenues continue to increase in our third year of business and the economic viability of Hudson Valley farms and entrepreneurs reinforces the message, the destination, and the magnitude of the Taste NY initiative. I look forward to and will continue to work for our continued success in the future.”
State Senator Sue Serino’s office presented the Market with a Certificate of Recognition of the third anniversary, celebrating the Market’s “commitment to providing local and quality products to the community.”
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 NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of stores and venues throughout the State and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair, the Welcome Center on the Long Island Expressway and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park.
For more information about Taste NY, please visit www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
About the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill
The Taste NY Market at Todd Hill is a vibrant marketplace featuring a curated selection of food and artisanal goods grown or processed in New York State. Known by locals and explorers alike, it is an historic destination and an experience that continues to attract new and returning customers. Located in the median of the Taconic State Parkway in Dutchess County, the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill is a project of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County. Todd Hill is a vehicle to deliver high impact programming to the region’s food and agricultural communities. For more information about the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill, please visit TasteNYToddHill@cornell.edu.
—Cornell Cooperative Extension
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