Taste NY Sales Continue to Grow

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo:

Taste NY sales continued to increase in 2017, growing to a record $16.1 million. 

Total gross sales of New York products from Taste NY stores, cafés, bars, concessions and events topped last year's sales totals by $3 million. The significant year-over-year growth reflects increasing consumer demand for local food and beverage products, which supports New York's agricultural and tourism industries. 

 
The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition since it was created in 2013. The program reported sales of $1.5 million in 2014, tripled those figures to $4.5 million in 2015, and $13.1 million in 2016. 

The exposure from Taste NY has 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.

 
In the past year, Taste NY made products available at 13 new locations and participated in major, large events, such as The Northern Trust and the New York City Marathon. 

As part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's vision to construct a state-of-the-art Welcome Center in each region of the state, Taste NY is promoting local products at the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, New York City and Central New York Welcome Centers, in addition to the Long Island Welcome Center that opened in 2016.

 

In 2017, Taste NY opened concessions in six additional state parks, bringing high-quality New York food and beverage products to park visitors. Guests can now find New York made food and drinks at a total of 10 properties, including Olana State Historic Site, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Jones Beach State Park, and Niagara Falls State Park. 

Together, parks selling local Taste NY food and beverages draw nearly 30 million visitors annually.  

In addition, last year, Taste NY launched the state's first-ever Taste NY Craft Beverage Week in New York City, hosted the Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge with celebrity and professional judges, and held the Taste NY Food Truck Competition and first-annual Craft Beer Competition at the Great New York State Fair.

 

A complete list of Taste NY locations can be found at this link  www.taste.ny.gov  The 2017 Taste NY annual report is available at this link https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/2017_TasteNY_ImpactReport.pdf

 
To build on the success of 2017 and further connect New York producers to new markets, Cuomo's 2018-2019 Executive Budget proposes additional support for Taste NY. 

This year, the Department of Agriculture and Markets will identify 10 core food and beverage categories that will be highlighted in New York's regional Welcome Centers to further strengthen Taste NY branding and tell the exciting stories behind New York's businesses. 

The department will also coordinate with other state agencies on possible new Taste NY locations as infrastructure projects are developed across the state, including the reconstruction of train stations and airports.

 

Additionally, the Department of Agriculture and Markets will host five regional Business-to-Business Taste NY Networking events to connect New York farms, food and beverage businesses with buyers from institutions, retail locations, restaurants, bars, and distributors.

 

The Taste NY website, www.taste.ny.gov, will also be transformed to operate as a one-stop resource for residents, visitors and businesses. 

The website's presentation, functionality and resources will be improved to provide better information on New York's agri-tourism destinations and better connect New York's producers to new markets.

"Taste NY has put local products on the map, boosting tourism, helping local craft breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries grow, and increasing opportunities for producers in every corner of this great state," Cuomo said. 

"By connecting consumers across the globe with fresh, locally-grown products, Taste NY continues to support the growth of farms and small businesses across New York," he said.  

New Jersey Company May Be Selling Raw Milk in NY

From Ag and Markets and the Department of Health:

Consumers are being warned against purchasing raw milk from the Udder Milk Co. in New Jersey.

A New Jersey resident recently was diagnosed with a disease called brucellosis after her reported purchase of raw milk from a home delivery company named Udder Milk.

Drop off locations for the purchase of raw milk and other products from Udder Milk have been identified in New York City and Long Island. Although there are no confirmed illnesses in New York state, health officials remind consumers about the health risks associated with the consumption of any raw milk products.
  
"We are concerned by the illness reported in New Jersey and are following this case very closely because we believe Udder Milk has delivered raw milk illegally in New York," said Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. "As we continue to collaborate with our federal and state partners in this investigation, we want to alert New Yorkers to the potential dangers of purchasing raw milk from this company."


New Jersey officials confirmed a person tested positive in late October for a rare bacterial infection called Brucella RB51. The person has since recovered. This is the second case of Brucella RB51 associated with raw milk consumption confirmed in the United States this year. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services, with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is investigating a separate case connected to a dairy company in Paradise, Texas that also sells raw milk products.

The most recent case in New Jersey is being investigated by the U.S.Department of Agriculture, the CDC and the New Jersey Department of Health, with the cooperation of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, with assistance from Ag and Markets, the state Health Department and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

A health advisory will be distributed to New York City area healthcare providers and laboratories to raise awareness of the confirmed case.

Pasteurization is a process that heats raw milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time in order to kill any bacteria that may be present including those that can cause diseases such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and brucellosis.

While primarily passed among infected animals, eating or drinking Brucella contaminated raw milk products can cause human infection. Brucellosis can cause a range of symptoms including fever, sweats, chills, weight loss, headache, fatigue and muscle and joint pain. Symptoms may appear up to six months after exposure. 

In severe cases, infections of the bones, joints, reproductive organs, central nervous system or lining of the heart may occur. The infection also can cause fetal loss in pregnant women.

People who experience symptoms and may have consumed raw milk should see a doctor right away. Healthcare providers should contact their local health department if they have any questions.

State Ag Commissioner Hosts Meeting to Help New Farmers

Meeting coming up for new and beginning farmers.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/state-agriculture-commissioner-hosts-meeting-to-help-new-farmers--20170911 to see the story.

It's County Fair Time!!!

With summer vacation comes one very important event: the annual county fair.

The county fair season in New York State is up and running with the start this week of the Goshen Racing Fair and the Cortland Youth Fair.

More than 50 county and youth fairs will run from the July 4 weekend through early late September, closing out the season at the Long Island Fair Sept. 15-17 and Sept. 22-24.

The Jefferson County Fair in Watertown is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. The fair, running from July 11-16, is the longest consecutively running fair in the United States.

County fairs across New York state provide fairgoers with family-friendly fun, great music and food, but also a unique opportunity to learn about local agriculture, including where our food comes from.

"Every summer, millions of New Yorkers gear up for their local county fair and take part as exhibitors, competitors and visitors," said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. 

"We have a great story to tell about our farmers and the hard work they do, and the county fairs provide New Yorkers a first-hand opportunity to learn about our vital agriculture industry," Ball said.

Fairgoers can find a county fair in all 10 regions of the state. A listing of  county fairs can be found at http://www.nyfairs.org/Fairsbydate.htm

State Warns Poultry Farmers About Avian Flu

From State Department of Agriculture and Markets

State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball has reminded New York poultry farmers to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
 
Two cases of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza have been reported in Tennessee and several cases of a less serious strain have been reported in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Wisconsin. No cases have been reported in New York.
 
The avian influenza strains detected in other states are not considered to be threats to public health, but can be deadly to birds.
 
To prevent avian influenza from infecting poultry flocks in New York State, the Department is encouraging poultry producers and visitors to farms to follow best practices, which include:
 
** Discourage unnecessary visitors and use biosecurity signs to warn people not to enter buildings without permission
** Ask all visitors if they have had any contact with any birds in the past five days
** Forbid entry to employees and visitors who own any kind of fowl
** Require all visitors to cover and disinfect all footwear
** Lock all entrances to chicken houses after hours
** Avoid non-essential vehicular traffic on-farm
** After hauling birds to processors, clean and disinfect poultry transport coops and vehicles before they return to the farm
 
Report anything unusual, especially sick or dead birds, to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.

County Fairs Eligible for State Money for Fair Improvements

From GOV. ANDREW CUOMO’S OFFICE
 
A total of $5 million is being awarded to county and youth fairs across the state through the Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Program. 
 
Fifty-six local fairs can receive more than $89,000 to offset the cost of improvement and renovation projects, including new construction. This is the first time in nearly a decade that the state’s more than four dozen local fairs will receive critical infrastructure improvement funds.
 
“These fairs are a part of New York’s rich tradition and help showcase the pride and heritage of communities in every corner of this great state,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “These investments will help these fairs attract more visitors, raise the profile of local vendors and businesses, and help spur economic growth across New York.”
 
The $5 million has been divided equally among the state’s local fairs. Each fair will be eligible for an award of $89,285. To receive the funding, fairs must submit the scope of work and estimated budget for proposed projects.
 
Projects must be submitted to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, which is administering the program.  The funding can be used to build, repair, replace, acquire or install fairground buildings, facilities or equipment that are used to house or promote agriculture. 
 
The department will contact local fairs with instructions on how to submit projects for proposals in the coming weeks. 
 
Once projects are approved, a contract will be developed and completed through the state Grants Gateway. Projects must be finished and the awarded funds must be spent by March 31, 2021. 
Any money remaining after that date will be divided equally among the awardees who can then submit plans for additional projects.
 
“For years, many of the state’s local fairs struggled to make the necessary improvements to stay up-to-date and attractive to visitors,” said Agriclture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. “This funding will help mitigate those challenges and provide better opportunities to spotlight the state’s diverse and exceptional agricultural community.”
 
 “Our state’s local fairs are more than just places to go to be entertained, they also provide opportunities for people to learn about the importance of agriculture through everything from seeing farm animals firsthand to enjoying local foods,” said state Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, chair of the Senate agriculture committee. “By providing local fairs with these resources, we are better positioning them to increase attendance, highlight New York’s leading industry and boost the economies in the regions where they are located.”
 
 “New York state’s county and local youth fairs are a showcase for local agriculture; they provide family fun and entertainment and positive development opportunities for youth through participation and competition, while boosting the local economy,” said Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, chair of the Assembly agriculture committee. “This well-deserved and much needed funding will go a long way toward maintaining and improving the critical infrastructure of our local fairs.”
 
“Our local county fairs have been tradition for generations of families. Mom and dad bring their kids to enjoy the fair as their mom and dad brought them years before,” said Gary Newkirk, president of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs. “Most of the fairs in New York have been around for over 100 years, several over 175 years.  Unfortunately, with that comes aged infrastructure. This money will be like a breath of fresh air to allow our fairs to keep up this great tradition, continue to provide great entertainment, build family memories and provide an economic impact to local communities.”

18 NY Food Companies Named Finalists in Good Food Awards

From New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:

Eighteen New York companies from seven regions across the state have been named finalists for the annual Good Food Awards.   

The national competition recognizes the country’s best craft food and beverage producers who excel in both taste and sustainable practices in the production of their products. 

New York’s finalists were selected from more than 2,000 entries from more than 30 states. The winners will be announced later today, Friday, Jan. 20 in San Francisco.

 

“New York’s food and beverage producers are second to none when it comes to making delicious products sourced from local ingredients," said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball.

"As seen with our New York State Grown & Certified program, we know that New York’s farmers are leading the way in regard to growing high-quality food and doing it the right way — with a focus on food handling practices and environmental sustainability," he aid.

Now in its seventh year, the Good Food Awards celebrate craft food and beverage producers of all sizes who help create and support vibrant, sustainable local food economies.  

The awards are presented to winners in fourteen categories, such as beer, cider, cheese and honey.  The entries are evaluated in a blind tasting of more than 220 expert judges, including top chefs and food industry representatives. 

Those who score the highest in the blind tasting are then assessed on a wide variety of criteria, including use of local and nutritious ingredients and sustainable and environmentally sound practices. 

 

New York producers from seven regions across the state are finalists in the following ten categories:

 

CHARCUTERIE

Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, Head Cheese (New York City)

Hudson & Charles, Chicken Liver Pate (New York City)

 

CHOCOLATE

Fruition Chocolate, Marañón Canyon Dark Milk 68% & Hudson Valley Bourbon Dark Milk 61% (Mid-Hudson)

 

CIDER

Bad Seed Hard Cider, IPC (Mid-Hudson)

Eve’s Cidery, 2015 Darling Creek, Van Etten (Southern Tier)

Finger Lakes Cider House, Goodlife Barrel Rye (Finger Lakes)

Orchard Hill Cider Mill, Ten66 Pommeau (Mid-Hudson)

Slyboro Cider House, La Sainte Terre (Capital Region)

 

CONFECTIONS

Fruition Chocolate, Brown Butter Bourbon Caramels (Mid-Hudson)

 

FISH

Regalis Foods, Ikura Shoyu Zuke Caviar (New York City)

 

HONEY

Bee’s Needs, Marvelous May (Long Island)

 

OILS

Stony Brook WholeHeartedFoods, Organic Sunflower Seed Oil (Finger Lakes)

 

PANTRY

Bronx Hot Sauce/Small Axe Peppers, Bronx Hot Sauce (New York City)

XILLI, Salsa Macha (New York City)

 

PICKLES

Food and Ferments, Sea King Sauerkraut (Central NY)

Holy Schmitt’s, Original Horseradish (Long Island)

 

SPIRITS

Breuckelen Distilling, 77 Whiskey: Local Rye and Corn (New York City)

Nahmias et Fils, Legs Diamond Rye Whiskey (Mid-Hudson)

The Hudson Standard, Catskill Masala Bitters (Mid-Hudson)

 

There are a total of 291 finalists from more than 30 states.  Find a complete list of the 2017 finalists http://www.goodfoodawards.org/2017-finalists/ at this link.

 

Since 2010 when the awards began, the competition has grown from 700 to 2,059 entries with representation from all 50 states.  

Last year, 13 New York producers were named winners in nine categories — charcuterie, chocolate, cider, coffee, honey, pantry, pickles, preserves and spirits.  

Check Out Winter Farmers' Markets

New Yorkers should remember that dozens of farmers’ markets are open across the state through the winter season.  

Winter markets provide shoppers the opportunity to buy farm-fresh foods and other products while supporting local farmers. 

For a second year, 14 winter markets are also issuing FreshConnect Checks, which allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to increase their buying power when they shop at farmers’ markets. 

Additional markets are encouraged to join the program to provide a greater number of FreshConnect checks to people and families in need.

“This is a terrific time to shop at your local farmers’ market and enjoy all they have to offer," said Richard Ball, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.  "Despite the cold weather, New York farmers have plenty of fresh produce and high-quality products available during the winter. Our FreshConnect Checks also provide an added benefit for those in need and I encourage additional markets to join the program this season.”

There are more than 150 farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets across the state that are open now, with additional markets set to open later this month and one scheduled to re-open Feb. 1.  

The markets operate on varying days and times throughout the week and weekend to fit a variety of schedules. They provide consumers with a wide selection of fresh vegetables and value-added goods such as craft beverages, all-natural skin care products, wool products, maple syrup and honey. 

Fourteen winter farmers’ markets are also participating in the FreshConnect program and additional markets have the option to join the program at any time. These markets issue FreshConnect Checks, which provide a $2 incentive for every $5 in SNAP benefits spent, increasing the purchasing power of SNAP recipients by 40 percent. 

For the first time last year, low-income families had the opportunity to use these checks 12 months a year. Previously, the checks were only available at participating markets during the spring and summer. Although the checks are issued at select markets, they may be redeemed at any of the more than 150 markets currently open, or the more than 750 farmers’ markets and farm stands open throughout the year.

Find a complete list of farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets across New York statehttps://data.ny.gov/Economic-Development/Farmers-Markets-in-New-York-State/qq4h-8p86 at this link. Check their operating months to find those open during the winter.

The following winter markets are participating in the FreshConnect Checks Program: 

Capital Region

Empire State Plaza Farmers Market (Albany County)

Saratoga Farmers Market (Saratoga County)

Schenectady Greenmarket (Schenectady County)

Veggie Mobiles Markets (Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties)

Central New York

CNY Regional Market (Onondaga County)

Syracuse Farm Fresh Mobile Market (Onondaga County)

Finger Lakes

Brighton Farmers Market (Monroe County)

Rochester Public Market (Monroe County)

Mid-Hudson

Beacon Farmers Market (Dutchess County)

Cold Spring Farmers Market (Putnam County)

Kingston Winter Farmers Market (Ulster County)

Rhinebeck Farmers Market (Dutchess County)

Mohawk Valley

Oneida County Public Market (Oneida County)

Southern Tier

Broome County Regional Market (Broome County)

Tops Friendly Markets Promoting NYS Grown & Certified Program

Tops Friendly Markets will promote the New York State Grown & Certified program to highlight farms that qualify under the New York State Grown & Certified seal. 

Tops is the first grocery retailer to feature and market product grown by New York farmers who adhere to the program’s requirements, including verification of safe food handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs. 

Producst sold under the state’s NYS Grown & Certified seal will be available at more than 80 Tops stores in the Western New York and the Finger Lakes regions. As the state continues to roll out the retail component of the program, product will be available at additional retailers.
 
“New York is supporting locally-grown products and promoting healthy lifestyles by connecting farm-fresh food with consumers across the state," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “Under the NYS Grown & Certified program, Tops Friendly Markets will bring certified foods to local communities, support our hard-working farms and provide nutritional food options to New Yorkers statewide.”
 
A state Grown & Certified pilot display was unveiled at a Tops store in Erie County Jan. 6 that features produce, including herbs, cabbage and acorn and butternut squash from farms in the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions. 

Consumers will also find fruits and other vegetables branded under the NYS Grown & Certified seal at participating Tops stores. A total of 145 Tops stores across the state will begin promoting NYS Grown & Certified products in the coming weeks. 

The state Department of Agriculture & Markets is also working with other retailers to market NYS Grown & Certified products.
 
A NYS Grown & Certified social media campaign has launched to further market New York farms involved in the initiative and educate consumers on the value of the program. Consumers can now follow NYS Grown & Certified on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
Additionally, several promotional videos were created to give consumers an inside look at NYS Grown & Certified farms. The videos feature Satur Farms on Long Island and Minkus Family Farms in the Hudson Valley. 

They are available by clicking https://www.facebook.com/NYScertified/videos/vb.1229590680433967/1255164281209940/?type=2&theater at this link and https://www.facebook.com/NYScertified/videos/vb.1229590680433967/1254963777896657/?type=2&theater at this link.
 
To highlight the New York producers who meet program requirements, NYS Grown & Certified is supported by a multi-pronged marketing campaign, including on-product labels, promotional materials, website and social media channels. 

Cuomo launched the NYS Grown & Certified program in August 2016. The program identifies and promotes New York producers who adhere to New York’s food safety and environmental sustainability programs and assures consumers that the food they are buying is local and produced at a higher-standard. 

It requires that producers be verified for safe food handling practices through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Good Agricultural Practices program (or an equivalent program) and enroll in the state’s Agricultural Environmental Management program. 


The initiative was the focus of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets’ exhibit at the New York Produce Show in New York City in December, and the New York State Agricultural Society annual forum Jan. 5. It also will display at the Empire State Producers Expo Jan. 17-19 in Syracuse. 

For more information on NYS Grown & Certified, go to http://certified.ny.gov/ this link.

State's Seed Testing Lab Moving to Albany

From NYS AG and MARKETS
 

The state’s Seed Testing Laboratory will now be run by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets and housed within its state-of-the-art New York State Food Laboratory in Albany.
 
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced Nov. 8 that, in partnership with Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the lab would move to the Albany facility. 
 
Currently operated by and located at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station on the College of Agriculture and Life Science’s Geneva campus, the Seed Lab provides assurances to the agricultural community that seed used in production is healthy and robust.
 
“Our Food Lab is a cutting-edge facility that houses some of the world’s best and brightest scientists,” said Ball. “Staff provide extensive and essential consumer protection services by testing foods and other products for purity, wholesomeness and accurate labeling.”
 

“By partnering with Cornell University to bring the Seed Lab to Albany and house it within our Food Lab, we’re able to offer additional efficiency in testing services to the agricultural industry,” he said.
 
“For more than 130 years, the Seed Lab in Geneva has provided the highest quality routine seed quality tests — such as those for germination, moisture, purity, and vigor — along with more specialized tests to the state’s farmers and producers,” said Susan Brown, the Goichman Family Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station.
 
“Many of our academic departments have worked closely with the lab and it is a legacy we look forward to continuing in Albany,” she said.
 
Established in 1882, the Seed Lab provides high quality seed results and reporting to residents, growers and seed companies. Since 1912, the lab has been operating as the regulatory laboratory for New York state, testing inspection samples to verify accuracy of product content and labeling for the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. 
 
The lab performs critical functions for the agricultural industry, testing 800 samples annually to insure that seed purchased by New York state farmers and consumers is true to label claim, meets minimum germination standards and is free of noxious weed seeds.
 
The Department and Cornell University are working together to successfully transfer the Seed Lab. The Seed Lab will continue to process samples in Geneva until the transfer of equipment to the Food Lab is complete, which is expected by the end of the year. 
 
Growers and businesses will be notified by mail, prior to the opening of the new space, of the exact timeline and Albany mailing address to send samples. They can also find updates on the Seed Lab’s website at http://blogs.cornell.edu/nyseedlab/.
 
The lab, at its new Albany location, will continue to offer its services and expertise on a fee basis, which will remain unchanged, to a wide range of clientele.
 
In addition, the department has hired Kyle Arvin as its Seed Lab director, who will manage client services and regulatory testing. Enforcement will continue as a separate function within the department. 
 
Arvin has 25 years of experience in seed-related testing, working both in the private and public sector, including as the director of the New York State Seed Testing Laboratory, based at Cornell University. 
 
During his time at the NYS Seed Testing Lab in Geneva, he oversaw the facility’s seed testing services and coordinated with graduate students and faculty in their research on seeds. He also worked cooperatively with the states of New York, New Hampshire and Vermont to provide testing lab services for their state seed regulatory programs. 
 
Arvin worked frequently with the New York Seed Improvement Program, which operates within Cornell’s Plant Breeding extension program and consists of a certified seed division.
 
Most recently, Arvin was a Registered Seed Technologist with Dow AgroSciences, North American Seed Quality Control Laboratory, in West Lafayette, Ind., where he trained new analysts how to perform seed testing and worked on a global seed quality testing team. His work in Indiana helped the laboratory become an USDA Accredited Seed Laboratory.

State Kicks Off 2016 Big Apple Crunch

From the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball Thursday Oct. 20 joined the 2016 Big Apple Crunch in New York City, sponsored by the FarmOn! Foundation, an agriculture-focused non-profit supporting educational youth programming.  

The Big Apple Crunch is an annual event that celebrates New York state agriculture and promotes New York’s apple producers through food and nutrition education across the State.

Ball, joined by the commissioner of the state Department of Health and representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FarmOn! Foundation and New York City SchoolFood, helped lead dozens of middle school students and staff from Public School 96 in taking a bite out of a New York state grown apple.  

The “crunch” followed an announcement of the expansion of the NY Thursdays program in schools across New York City.  NY Thursdays kicked off last year and features locally grown and produced foods on school menus. This year, the program has expanded to include New York State produced beef.

In addition to the event held at PS 96, dozens of Big Apple Crunch events were held throughout New York City and across the state. The New York Apple Association joined the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College for a Big Apple Crunch at La Marqueta.  

The event brought together hundreds of children to take part in fun and educational activities, and wrapped up with a record-breaking Big Apple Crunch. The event also featured activity centers with apple art, games, tastings and nutrition education led by East Harlem organizations and small businesses.

In Albany, the state Education Department Senior Deputy Commissioner Jhone Ebert and Assistant Commissioner for Student Support Services Renee Rider joined more than 50 staff members from the department's Office of Child Nutrition on the front steps of the State Education Building this morning for the Big Apple Crunch.  

They got into the spirit, simultaneously biting into locally grown, New York state apples to celebrate National Food Day and promote New York state food and farms.

Created through a partnership of GrowNYC and the NYC Office of Food Policy in 2012 and sponsored by the FarmOn! Foundation, the Big Apple Crunch originated as a way to celebrate National Food Day. 

In the first year of the event, about 400,000 New Yorkers bit into locally grown New York State apples at the same time in a universal call to action to raise awareness about supporting local agriculture. 

Since its inception, the annual Big Apple Crunch has expanded its reach, breaking a world record in 2015 with one million New Yorkers participating in the crunch.

This year, FarmOn! Foundation called on all New Yorkers to take the Big Apple Crunch Challenge and pledge to eat locally by participating in the Big Apple Crunch. 

For additional incentive to support the cause, crunchers who submit a #BigAppleCrunchChallenge video on social media can win $1,000 towards a FarmOn! Victory Garden, which will help bring fresh produce and educational opportunities to a school of their choosing.