We provide comprehensive assistance to new and established food entrepreneurs, promoting sustainable economic development.
The Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC) helps food businesses introduce new food products into the marketplace. We provide product safety evaluation, process development, and guidance in local, state and federal regulatory compliance. We also provide educational materials, workshops, training programs in food safety, and referrals for business assistance, local suppliers and service providers.
Our flagship location is at the Cornell AgriTech campus in Genevan NY, strategically located in close proximity to world-class food and agricultural science facilities and experts. Geneva is also home to the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park, an incubator space for small food and agricultural businesses, and the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture connecting food entrepreneurs to all aspects of business development in NYS.
Our second location is situated in Saratoga County at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County in Ballston Spa, NY, connecting diverse farms, markets, and resources across both rural and urban regions throughout the North Country, central NY, and the Capital district.
Training & News
Collaborating Facilities
Through the center, entrepreneurs have access, for a fee, to additional established Cornell AgriTech facilities.
The Seneca Foods Foundation Pilot Plant in Geneva, NY, is a unique processing facility designed for food businesses of all sizes to facilitate product development and scale up new or optimized food products. The Pilot Plant provides the facilities and experience our clients need to develop product formulations that scale, create robust production methods and ensure long-term food safety.
High pressure processing (HPP) — also known as high hydrostatic pressure — is a non-thermal alternative to thermal pasteurization, which is gaining popularity as consumers continue to demand foods that maintain their freshness, offer a clean label, and deliver superior sensory and nutritional characteristics compared to heat-treated products.
The Vinification and Brewing Laboratory offers analysis services for an array of products, including the alcohol content of food products to ensure regulatory compliance for commercialization. Additionally, the laboratory researches and troubleshoots craft beverages products in order to support the growth of the New York state craft beverage industry.
Our experts
- (315) 787-2622
- csj55 [at] cornell.edu
- (315) 787-2282
- esk15 [at] cornell.edu
Associate Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center
Cornell AgriTech
Senior Extension Associate
Food Science
- (315) 787-2280
- bmx2 [at] cornell.edu
Seneca Foods Foundation Professor and Director of the Food Venture Center
Cornell AgriTech
Director of the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University
Cornell AgriTech
Professor
Food Science
- (315) 787-2259
- oip1 [at] cornell.edu
- (315) 787-2279
- mp665 [at] cornell.edu