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College and State to Partner in Promotion of New York Food & Beverage Products

Media Contacts:

The Culinary Institute of America
Stephan Hengst
845-905-4288
s_hengst@culinary.edu

Governor’s Press Office
NYC: 212-681-4640
Albany: 518-474-8418
press.office@exec.ny.gov

Hyde Park, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today named The Culinary Institute of America an education partner for the program via a partnership between the state and the college to promote New York’s food and beverage industries. The Culinary Institute of America, based in the Hudson Valley, will work closely with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on several initiatives to promote awareness of the state’s food products under the Taste NY brand.

“New York State boasts some of the best local products and goods around, and this partnership will further showcase all our food and beverage industries have to offer,” Governor Cuomo said. “I cannot think of a better partner than The Culinary Institute of America, based in New York, to work with Taste NY, and look forward to seeing its programs promote goods from across the state. This is yet another step our administration is taking to grow the state’s great agriculture industry and provide local products to consumers all over the world.”

During the first year of this partnership, the CIA will create programs targeted to , including Taste NY-branded and at the college’s Hyde Park campus along with a series of instructional cooking videos featuring New York State products. A campus restaurant, , will also host three Taste NY-themed Farmer’s Dinners during the fall 2015 harvest season.

The partnership has the potential to be renewed each year and, as it grows, the college and New York State will explore opportunities to use the Marriott Pavilion’s 800-seat theater and conference center on the CIA campus to host Taste NY conferences, educational programming, and other events.

In 2014, Taste NY participated in 58 events across the state, with more to come in the next few years. The program will expand its stores so more people can access New York State-made products, a new mobile app will be launched to help consumers find designated Taste NY attractions and Governor Cuomo’s planned trade missions will promote New York State food products all over the world.

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 PGA Championship and the Great New York State Fair. The program has also opened stores at Thruway rest stops and New York City airports, 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.

The Culinary Institute of America spends nearly $1 million each year on products from New York State farms, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy, meats, mushrooms, syrup, and honey. The college has also taken the Pride of New York Pledge in support of the state’s agricultural products and beverages and its restaurants will increase sourcing their ingredients from state-grown and -made products. They also plan to feature locally produced beverages on drink menus and introduce New York-themed dishes prepared with seasonal, locally-grown products.

“The Culinary Institute of America is proud of our long history of supporting New York State products,” said CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “I joined the faculty more than 30 years ago with a commitment to integrate the bounty of our state’s farms into the college’s curriculum before ‘farm-to-table’ was even a term. I now look forward to working together with Governor Cuomo and the Department of Agriculture and Markets to help educate food lovers across the Empire State and beyond about the diversity of the products produced right here in the place we all call home.”

“The Taste NY program is bringing farm products from New York to every corner of the state, creating economic growth for our vital agriculture industry,” said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “This partnership with one of the world’s greatest culinary schools is sure to link many more consumers to the great products of New York, and that will give many small businesses a boost while creating more jobs across the state. I look forward to the great things we can create together.”

Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:

The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. (Photo credit: CIA/Keith Ferris)

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; and executive education through its Food Business School. Its conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, world cuisines & cultures, and professional excellence & innovation. The college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its worldwide network of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every area of foodservice and hospitality. The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.

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