Pride of New York showcased at Eastern Produce Council meeting
Pride of New York showcased at Eastern Produce Council meeting
New York Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers presented the state?s Pride of New York marketing and promotional program to the members of the Eastern Produce Council at its monthly meeting held March 15 in Teaneck, NJ.
?Just as all New Yorkers have pride in their family, their community and their state, our farmers have pride in the products they produce," Mr. Rudgers said. "By presenting the Pride of New York program to the Eastern Produce Council, we were able to explain to the metropolitan produce industry that New Yorkers have a shared sense of pride, and that whether they are farmers or not, we all have a stake in the agricultural industry of this state."
Endorsing Pride of New York?s success and importance to New York?s agricultural industry were Jim Bittner, president of the New York State Horticulture Society and a fruit farmer from Appleton (Niagara County), as well as Larry Eckhardt, president of New York State Vegetable Growers Association and a vegetable, cash crop and beef cattle operation from Stephentown (Rensselaer County). Both long-time members of the Pride of New York program, Messrs. Bittner and Eckhardt spoke about the benefits provided by the program to each of their operations and the advantages of buying New York state produce, such as freshness, quality, customer service, diversity and proximity to markets.
They also spoke briefly on production trends and the introduction of new crops.
At the dinner, EPC members enjoyed wine from Millbrook Winery in Dutchess County, New York onion soup prepared with onions from Gurda Gardens in Orange County and Yancey?s Fancy cheese in Genesee County. Complementing the salad was dressing supplied by Hudson Valley Homestead in Columbia County. Guests completed their meal with New York cheesecake from Clarendon Cheesecakes in Orleans County and pastries from Quaker Bonnet in Erie County.
Initiated by Gov. George Pataki in 1996, Pride of New York is a voluntary promotion program that helps identify food and agricultural products that are grown, processed or manufactured within New York state. The program establishes an identity for food products through consumer awareness, which will ultimately result in increased consumer demand for New York grown and processed food.
?Pride of New York helps strengthen the linkages between farmers, food wholesalers and retailers, and consumers," Mr. Rudgers said. "This type of linkage gives our producers a competitive advantage and provides an opportunity for consumers to support local agriculture."
The Pride of New York program recently launched its statewide spring advertising campaign with billboards and broadcast messages encouraging consumers to support New York?s farmers and food processors by purchasing products bearing the "Pride of New York? emblem.
Currently, Pride of New York has over 1,200 members using the program?s emblem, which shows the Statue of Liberty standing majestically near a barn with rolling fields. Consumers can find Lady Liberty on a variety of products including dairy products, fresh produce, salsas, dressings, jellies, beverages. meats and Christmas trees.
?Just as all New Yorkers have pride in their family, their community and their state, our farmers have pride in the products they produce," Mr. Rudgers said. "By presenting the Pride of New York program to the Eastern Produce Council, we were able to explain to the metropolitan produce industry that New Yorkers have a shared sense of pride, and that whether they are farmers or not, we all have a stake in the agricultural industry of this state."
Endorsing Pride of New York?s success and importance to New York?s agricultural industry were Jim Bittner, president of the New York State Horticulture Society and a fruit farmer from Appleton (Niagara County), as well as Larry Eckhardt, president of New York State Vegetable Growers Association and a vegetable, cash crop and beef cattle operation from Stephentown (Rensselaer County). Both long-time members of the Pride of New York program, Messrs. Bittner and Eckhardt spoke about the benefits provided by the program to each of their operations and the advantages of buying New York state produce, such as freshness, quality, customer service, diversity and proximity to markets.
They also spoke briefly on production trends and the introduction of new crops.
At the dinner, EPC members enjoyed wine from Millbrook Winery in Dutchess County, New York onion soup prepared with onions from Gurda Gardens in Orange County and Yancey?s Fancy cheese in Genesee County. Complementing the salad was dressing supplied by Hudson Valley Homestead in Columbia County. Guests completed their meal with New York cheesecake from Clarendon Cheesecakes in Orleans County and pastries from Quaker Bonnet in Erie County.
Initiated by Gov. George Pataki in 1996, Pride of New York is a voluntary promotion program that helps identify food and agricultural products that are grown, processed or manufactured within New York state. The program establishes an identity for food products through consumer awareness, which will ultimately result in increased consumer demand for New York grown and processed food.
?Pride of New York helps strengthen the linkages between farmers, food wholesalers and retailers, and consumers," Mr. Rudgers said. "This type of linkage gives our producers a competitive advantage and provides an opportunity for consumers to support local agriculture."
The Pride of New York program recently launched its statewide spring advertising campaign with billboards and broadcast messages encouraging consumers to support New York?s farmers and food processors by purchasing products bearing the "Pride of New York? emblem.
Currently, Pride of New York has over 1,200 members using the program?s emblem, which shows the Statue of Liberty standing majestically near a barn with rolling fields. Consumers can find Lady Liberty on a variety of products including dairy products, fresh produce, salsas, dressings, jellies, beverages. meats and Christmas trees.
