(Below is a press release from Governor Andrew Cuomo's office)

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an all-new Taste NY Market at The Great New York State Fair as part of the Governor’s $50 million plan to transform the fairgrounds and improve the experience for visitors. Now located inside the landmark Horticulture Building, guests of the Taste NY Market will have the opportunity to enjoy everything New York, from artisan cheeses and gourmet nuts, to local wines, craft beers, spirits and more.

“The Great State Fair is one of this region’s greatest attractions, and the transformation of the fairgrounds has restored its status as one of the nation’s top state fairs,” Governor Cuomo said, “With the addition of this new Taste NY Market to the other attractions at the Horticulture Building, it’s now easier and more convenient than ever for visitors to enjoy the very best New York has to offer.

Visitors to the Taste NY Market will have the chance to try free samples of food and beverages from all 76 participating New York vendors and to meet the people behind those products. If you like what you try, you’ll also have the opportunity to buy it on-site directly from the vendor. For the first time this year, the operators of the Taste NY store at the Broome Gateway Travel and Tourism Center will also showcase and sell an array of products from their store, including: Bjorn Popcorn, Mini Honey Bears, Emmy’s Macaroons, Field Trip Beef Jerky, Saratoga Crackers and many others.

The vendors featured at the Taste NY Market will rotate daily, during all twelve days of the Fair. A complete list of participating vendors and a schedule of the vendor rotation can be found here.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York has such a rich agricultural industry, one I am very proud to be a part of and thrilled to showcase during the Fair. No place on the fairgrounds does that better than the Horticulture Building. It is not just incredible to look at with its ornate architecture, it also provides a fun, interactive, and educational experience for all fairgoers. With the addition of the Taste NY Market, there is even more to enjoy this year, and I encourage every visitor to come experience New York agriculture first-hand.”

Troy Waffner, Acting Fair Director said, “We are always looking for ways to improve the Fair and the experience of our guests. The historic renovations to the fairgrounds are a big part of that. They have allowed us to upgrade certain aspects of the event, such as the exhibits in the Horticulture Building. Whether it’s the spectacular plant and floral arrangements, getting up close to see bees, or now, sampling some of New York's most delicious food and drinks, this location will offer a variety of unique exhibits for fairgoers of every age.”

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, “From some of the more immediately noticeable changes like the beautiful new gateway that will greet fairgoers to the more detailed improvements like the new agricultural showcase in the Horticulture Building that will spotlight our State’s strengths in agriculture, the Governor’s transformation plan takes the Great New York State Fair to the next level. We look forward to experiencing these exciting improvements right alongside the Fair’s one million visitors later this month.”

In addition to the Taste NY Market in the Horticulture Building, the Taste NY Marketplace across from the main gate and the Taste NY Wine, Beer and Spirits Village at the Colonnades will feature more New York-made products from around the state.

New Attractions in the Horticulture Building
A favorite stop for fairgoers, the Horticulture Building brings together some of the very best growers, producers, manufacturers, and apiculturists from across the state to highlight the diversity and quality of agriculture in New York.

Back by popular demand, the Taste NY Wine, Cheese, and Beer Seminars will also return to the Horticulture Building. Representatives from local wineries, breweries and distilleries will share their knowledge about grapes, hops, and how to pair various wine, beer and spirits with food to maximize taste. Because of their popularity, additional seminars have been added this year to accommodate even more guests.

Other attractions include:
Potato and Sweet Potato Booth
Produce, Flower and Apple Exhibits
New York Maple Center
Bee Colony and Honey Exhibit
Butterfly Exhibit

Cathy Pemberton, owner of Cathy's Cookie Kitchen said, "I am so honored to be included in the Taste NY program and to be selling in select stores. The Taste NY program offers such a tremendous opportunity for me to promote and sell my cookies. It has provided me with exposure to people traveling all throughout New York State. My Facebook page gets a bump in views and “likes” every time my cookies arrive at the Broome County Gateway Information Center, and after selling at the NYS Fair."

Barry Moore, Owner of JNB Foods said, “Taste NY is a great way to assist small businesses, such as JNB Foods, help brand our company and what we do and who we are--- a family, veteran-owned business with New York roots. Taste NY has helped us get our products out in front of the public, as far away as Puerto Rico, in front of customers in NYC, Long Island and beyond. We are proud to say the initiatives in New York State have also given us a gateway into the global market.”

Kaitlyn Sirna, Manager of the Taste NY Store at Broome Gateway Travel and Tourism Center said, “We are looking forward to a busy day at New York State Fair. This is great exposure for our vendors, and we’ll have a great audience of New York State enthusiasts who are excited to be at the State Fair. With our store being at the Welcome Center in NY as you enter from Pennsylvania, we’re looking forward to bringing a bit of Broome County to Onondaga County. We’ll be showcasing our local company’s finest food and beverages including Jada Hill Farm, Sue Garing Honey and more! The Fair really excites us, because it gives the Taste NY store an opportunity to showcase our top selling products to people beyond our traditional customers and travelers in our center.”

About the Great New York State Fair
The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August 25 to September 5, 2016. The Fair's mission, reflected in its theme, "FIND YOUR GREAT," is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing top-quality entertainment.

The 375-acre New York State Fairgrounds is undergoing the most significant transformation since it first opened its gates in 1890. The $50 million plan, announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, revitalizes the grounds, improving the quality of the fairgoer’s experience and providing greater economic benefits for the region. The plan will better position the New York State Fairgrounds as a premier year-round, multi-use facility that can attract more events and visitors from across the nation. Renderings can be viewed here and more information about the details of the revitalization plan can be found here.

A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website. Find Us 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 statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.

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 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.

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