Response
Cornell Cooperative Extension, in partnership with New York State Agriculture and Markets, Cornell AgriTech, and statewide collaborators, manages multiple Taste NY markets and initiatives across New York State. These markets feature more than 500 locally produced food, beverage, and gift items from over 90 vendors and are located in high-traffic welcome centers and regional destinations across the Capital Region, Southern Tier, and North Country. Taste NY markets provide small producers with retail placement opportunities without the cost of operating independent storefronts, helping businesses expand consumer reach and strengthen market presence.
Cornell Cooperative Extension also connects entrepreneurs with technical assistance and product development training through Cornell Food Connections, Cornell AgriTech, and the Cornell Food Venture Center. Through hands-on train-the-trainer workshops and regional support networks, Extension educators strengthened skills in food safety, product development, labeling, packaging, and regulatory readiness to better assist producers preparing products for commercial markets. The initiative also deployed regional testing toolkits and provided follow-up technical assistance to strengthen local capacity for food business support statewide.
“I feel more confident to help producers when they approach me at Cornell Cooperative Extension. I feel that this program is making Cornell Cooperative Extension relevant as boots on the ground implementation of programming that is offered at Cornell University and Cornell AgriTech.”
— Amy Willis, Food Systems Development Manager, Broome County CCE
Results
Taste NY markets expanded retail opportunities and strengthened value-added agricultural businesses across New York State. The Taste NY Market at Todd Hill, operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County and now in its 11th year, continues to add dozens of new vendors annually while providing shelf space for small-batch and value-added producers seeking to expand brand recognition and sales.
Participation enabled emerging specialty food and beverage businesses to increase product turnover, develop new product lines using New York-sourced ingredients, and position operations for future business growth and job creation. Similar outcomes occurred at Taste NY locations statewide, where producers reported expanded wholesale relationships, repeat customer purchases, increased regional brand visibility, and improved revenue stability.
In addition, Cornell Food Connections strengthened statewide technical assistance capacity by training 36 educators, deploying seven testing toolkits to regional sites, and providing up to 50 hours of follow-up technical assistance to support producer needs after training completion. These efforts improved Extension’s ability to deliver stronger, faster, and more consistent support to food entrepreneurs in local communities.
Collectively, Taste NY markets and related Extension programming generated sales tax revenue, supported retail employment, strengthened agricultural supply chains, enhanced visitor experiences along major travel corridors, and improved the ability of small businesses to safely scale production and access larger commercial markets.
Public Value
By expanding retail access, strengthening technical assistance networks, and supporting value-added entrepreneurship, Cornell Cooperative Extension strengthens local agricultural economies and increases market opportunities for producers across New York State. The Taste NY model advances resilient food systems, encourages agricultural innovation, improves food safety and regulatory readiness, and contributes to thriving rural communities and regional economic development. When local producers are better supported, communities benefit through stronger small businesses, expanded consumer access to New York products, increased economic activity, and a more resilient and trusted statewide food system.
