Taste NY Will Promote the ‘Best of New York’ at Belmont Festival

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced that Taste NY will participate in the Belmont Stakes Festival to kick off celebrations of the much-anticipated Belmont Stakes Race on June 9.  Friday, June 8, Taste NY will be promoting and sampling a dozen New York-made food and beverage products from Long Island and across the State under the theme the “Best of New York.”

Commissioner Ball said, “We look forward to showcasing our New York-made products under the Taste NY brand at one of horse racing’s biggest events of the year, which draws tens of thousands of potential new customers.  We have a proud history of thoroughbred racing in New York State so it’s a great fit to have Taste NY at the Belmont Stakes Festival to introduce visitors to some of the best food and beverage producers our great State has to offer.”

This is the third year that Taste NY has participated in the Belmont Stakes Festival, providing high visibility for the participating vendors to get their products in front of nearly 100,000 racing fans.  Products will be sampled and sold in the Taste NY Vendor Marketplace, located in the Grandstand (between the Paddock and the Track) from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.  The following vendors will be participating:

Herbies Crumb Cake, Calverton, Suffolk County - Cookies and Cake          

Chef Giovanni, Holbrook, Suffolk County - Mixed Nuts/ Sauces        

Chocology Unlimited, Port Jefferson, Suffolk County - Fudge

Dolci di Livia, New York, New York - Cookies (Italian) 

Toma Bloody Mary, New Rochelle, Westchester County - Bloody Marys

Honey Gramz, Little Neck, Queens - Sweets    

Wist Beverages, Morris, Otsego County - Flavored Water      

Subtle Tea Co., Centereach, Suffolk County - Iced Tea          

Sergi Coffee and Roast, West Babylon, Suffolk County - Coffee       

Ararasi Sparkling Tree Water, Katonah, Westchester County - Bottled water         

HOP2o, Lebanon Springs, Columbia County - Soda   

Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Queensbury, Warren County - Distilled Spirits

The Belmont Stakes is one of the biggest thoroughbred horse races of the year in New York.  It is the oldest and longest race of the three classic races that constitute the Triple Crown. After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Justify is positioned to become the 13th horse to win the Triple Crown and the first since American Pharoah.   

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets continues to build on its work to highlight the importance of horse racing and breeding to the agricultural industry.  A 2012 study commissioned by the New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry Alliance estimates that New York’s more than 2,300 horse farms, riding stables and training centers support the protection, maintenance and recovery of more than one million acres of agricultural lands and green space. The report also estimates New York’s equine industry has a $4.2 billion effect on the State’s economy, including 33,000 full-time jobs and $187 million in state and local taxes.

About Taste NY

The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition since it was created in 2013 by Governor Cuomo. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, 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.  It has also 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.

Today, New York products sold under Taste NY branding are available in more than 70 locations throughout the State as well as the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in San Juan, Puerto Rico.