TASTE NY VENDING MACHINES PREMIERE AT BROOME GATEWAY AND CLIFTON PARK REST AREAS

Officials from three state agencies today announced that Taste NY vending machines are now fully operational at the Clifton Park Rest Area on I-87 north of Albany, and at the Broome Gateway Rest Area, located between the Pennsylvania state line and Exit 1 on I-81 in Broome County.  This is the first time that these vending machines have appeared on New York State roadways.  Featuring a number of agricultural items produced and processed in New York State, the vending machines will allow travelers to experience some of New York’s best homegrown, on-the-go products.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is coordinating with the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) and the New York State Department of Transportation on this exciting new endeavor.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Through Taste NY, Governor Cuomo continues to open up new opportunities for New York State agricultural producers.  These vending machines will not only provide travelers with an opportunity to directly sample New York foods and beverages, but will keep dollars right here in New York State.”

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, “Our rest areas are integral to keeping travelers safe by providing a place to rest and recharge, and we are proud to offer healthy, New York State-produced foods to our customers. Governor Cuomo’s Taste NY initiative will expose New York foods and beverages to long-distance travelers from New York, surrounding states and Canada and help promote all the great products New York has to offer.”

NYSCB Associate Commissioner Brian S. Daniels said, “The Commission for the Blind makes self-sufficiency for legally blind New Yorkers its top priority, and the expansion of this program in the Capital Region and in the Southern Tier will lend tremendous support to an initiative that helps individuals who are blind to achieve independence and live productive lives.  We are excited to partner with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Taste NY, and we thank them for their continued support of this program that has given workers who are blind the skills they need to lead successful careers."

Taste NY vending machines are also operational in the State Capitol, the Legislative Office Building and the Department of Agriculture and Markets headquarters in Albany.  The selection of New York State goods will rotate to represent the many fine products produced in New York State. Products featured may include:

• Heluva Good Cheese String Cheese (Sodus)
• North Fork Potato Chips (North Fork)
• Linden’s Cookies (Congers)
• Adirondack Beverages (Scotia)
• Our Daily Eats (Albany)
• Saratoga Water (Saratoga Springs)
• Crowley Yogurt (Binghamton)
• Uncle Wally’s Muffins (Shirley)

In October 2014, Governor Cuomo announced a major expansion of the Taste NY program, which proposed to triple the gross sales of participating vendors by the end of 2015 through a multi-pronged approach. These strategies include the expansion of vending machines, as well as Taste NY displays and stores on all SUNY and CUNY campuses.

Taste NY vending machines were first piloted to the delight of Fairgoers in August 2014 at the Great New York State Fair.  For more information about the Taste NY program, please visit www.taste.ny.gov