Taste NY Marketplace Returns to The 2021 Great New York State Fair

The Taste NY Marketplace will be back at the Great New York State Fair for the 2021 season, bringing a taste of some of the best homegrown and homemade New York maple and dairy products, craft beverages, and more to fairgoers in the Horticulture Building. This year’s vendor Marketplace will showcase nearly 40 food and craft beverages from regions across the state over the 18 days of the Fair, highlighting some of New York’s finest products.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Taste NY Marketplace at the New York State Fair is such a great opportunity for our New York farmers and food and beverage producers to introduce their homegrown and made products to new consumers. We encourage fairgoers to visit our vendors, discover a new favorite product, and see the very best of New York agriculture on display.”

State Fair Director Troy Waffner said, “Taste NY is a big attraction for many fairgoers who look forward to taking home some delicious new products. The Fair is committed to sourcing as much New York food and drink as it can across our 375 acres, and the Taste NY Marketplace is a great place for visitors to learn more about local food and agriculture.”

This year, a daily rotation of vendors will offer a variety of products to purchase. This setup provides vendors with an efficient and socially distanced way to present and sell their products to new consumers, while continuing to provide fairgoers with the Taste NY tradition they know and love.  Vendors will be spaced a safe distance apart and masks will be required to enter the Horticulture Building.

Some of the vendors who will be at this year’s Marketplace include:

• Guglielmo Sauce – Rochester
• Old Home Distillers – Lebanon
• Pleasant Valley Wine Co. – Hammondsport
• Joe’s Jerky – Sherrill
• Buffalo Tom’s Treasure Island – Buffalo
• Syracha’cuse – Baldwinsville
• 3 Tea Leaf – Auburn
• Partyka & Sons Farms – Kendall
• Café International Foods – Pittsford
• Once Again Nut Butter – Nuda
• Schweigarts Sugar Shack – Woodhull
• Wildbillies Spices – Truxton
• Nelson Farms – Cazenovia

Additionally, a pop-up Taste NY Market within the Taste NY Marketplace will showcase a variety of products from every New York State region. Open from 11:00 am to close during each of the Fair’s 18 days, the pop-up Market is a joint effort by all Taste NY operators with staff rotating in from every region, bringing more insight and information about products from the vendors they work with locally and giving visitors another opportunity to find a new favorite New York State product. The pop-up Market will feature a selection of products from every Taste NY Market across the state.

Deb Morris, Co-Founder of Barkeater Chocolates (North Creek, NY), said, "Barkeater Chocolates has been a part of the Taste NY initiative since its inception. We are so excited to have our chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, and bark showcased at the Great New York State Fair once again. The Fair presents a great opportunity for regional food companies to promote the Empire State's finest food."

Sammi Clark-Collins, Director of Retail Operations at Nelson Farms (Cazenovia, NY), said, “We are excited to be a part of Taste NY again at the Great New York State Fair.  This is an amazing chance to showcase the best products that our state has to offer; and an opportunity for consumers to connect with farmers, growers, and processors across all regions.”

Other Attractions in the Horticulture Building

A favorite stop for fairgoers, the Horticulture Building brings together some of the very best growers, producers, and manufacturers from across the state. A variety of interactive exhibits and product booths highlight the diversity and quality of agriculture in New York State. The New York Apple Association, Empire Honey Producers Association, New York State Maple Producers Association, and SUNY Cobleskill also have exhibits in the Horticulture Building.

Attractions include:

• The Suds & Spuds baked potato and sweet potato booth, home of the $1 baked potato with all the toppings
• Produce and apple exhibits
• The New York Maple Center, where you can buy candy, syrup, and ice cream made with New York maple syrup
• The Butterfly Exhibit

About Taste NY

The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition since it was created in 2013. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, creates opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the State and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. It has also 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.

For a complete list of Taste NY locations, hours of operation and contact information, visit the Taste NY website. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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