ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said that the New Baltimore Service Area on the New York State Thruway is now the first location in the state to offer "Taste NY" products year round. Additional locations will soon open at other Thruway service areas in western and central New York.
"With thousands of motorists traveling along I-87 every day, the New Baltimore Service Area was an easy pick for the first location to offer Taste NY products year-round," Cuomo said. "The Taste NY initiative is designed to highlight the tremendous products that are grown and produced right here in New York State, and doing so along major sources of travel is sure to grow the list of loyal consumers and support the state's agriculture, culinary and tourism industries."
In his 2013 State of the State address, Cuomo announced the launch of New York's largest tourism campaign in decades. Taste NY is a key component of the nearly $60 million plan to grow New York industries, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire State while promoting New York grown or produced products.
The Thruway's selection of Taste NY products is available for purchase inside the plaza's Travel Mart convenience store.
"The Thruway is proud to be among the first locations to offer Taste NY products," said Thruway authority executive director Thomas J. Madison. "Since we are one of New York's vital transportation arteries, these products will be directly marketed to hundreds of thousands of people using the Thruway. We look forward to expanding this program to more of our service areas in the future."
HMS Host Corp. operates the New Baltimore Service Area, which was chosen because of its high volume and accessibility from both north and southbound lanes. HMS Host remodeled the plaza's Travel Mart to create a "store within a store" to highlight the New York products.
The goods that are currently available for purchase at the New Baltimore Service Area include products from:
- Ronnybrook Farms (Columbia County).
- Yancey's Fancy New York Artisan Cheese (Genesee County).
- McCadam Cheese (Franklin County).
- Nelson Farms (Madison County).
- Red Jacket Orchards (Ontario County).
- Merle Maple Farm (Wyoming County).
- Mad Foodz (Allegany County).
- Joe's Jerky (Oneida County).
- Rob Salamida Co. (Broome County).
- New York State Maple Producers (statewide).
- New York Apple Association (statewide).
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