Farmers Market Tour for Food Manufacturers

While our demand for fresh and local ingredients continues to grow, many food manufacturers still rely on the same trade networks that truck food across great distances. To expand their market share and increase sales, they will need to reassess their their existing relationships and work toward forging connections with local growers. And as the cost of oil is predicted to rise again, these new connections will also, in the long term, potentially save them considerable amounts of money.

To strengthen this exchange between growers and producers, NYRIN and NY State Ag & Markets have launched the Farm to Factory pilot project. This Saturday they will be hosting a farmer's market tour for food manufacturers, providing them with personal introductions to growers seeking to sell wholesale produce to NYC companies. All NYC food companies are welcome.

Farmers Market Buyers Tour for Food Manufacturers
Date: Saturday June 19, 2010
Time: Anytime from 8:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Ft. Greene Park Greenmarket, Brooklyn

RSVP to:
Christina Grace, Manager, Urban Food Systems Program
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Phone: 718.722.2834
Email: christina.grace@agmkt.state.ny.us

Interested in meeting more farmers? NYIRN is planning another buyers tour in July to the Wholesale Greenmarket at Hunts Point, Bronx. For more information, contact Tzipora Lubarr at tlubarr@nyirn.org or 212-404-6990 x 16.

Undeniably NYC: Ernest Alexander Men's Accessories

Ernest Alexander Sabine's men's accessory label, Ernest Alexander, is based in the garment district in Manhattan. Featuring a beautiful line of messenger and travel bags as well as ties and belts, Ernest made a deliberate decision to support local manufactures and keep's his office one block away from the production line. This allows him to ensure the high quality product he demands as well as employ people within in his community. Hailing from a family of seamstress who came to NYC following World War II, Ernest honors the work of his grandmother and great-grandmother. His beautiful bags are made to durable, classic and made to last. They are available in NYC at Paul Smith, International Playground and Desiron.

Check out this video of Ernest and see images of his production:

*TIP: Interested in producing your product in the Garment District- Contact Garnmet Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) for more information.