LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the
production of Cheerios in Buffalo, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those corporate enterprises throughout the State of New York
which have substantially contributed to the economic vitality of their
communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 75th Anniversary of the production of Cheerios in Buffalo, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Production of Cheerios, then called CheeriOats, began in
October of 1941, at the General Mills cereal and flour plant on the
Buffalo River on South Michigan Avenue; the smell of Cheerios and other
products of the plant often spreads across areas surrounding the facili-
ty and has become a true staple within the local community; and
WHEREAS, Construction on the current cereal building began in 1939,
but a fire ripped through the structure on February 15, 1940, one week
before it was set to open, delaying the start of production of Cheer-
iOats until October of 1941; it was the world's first, oat-based, read-
y-to-eat cereal; and
WHEREAS, The oldest structure on the General Mills property, which is
bordered by the Buffalo River and the City Ship Canal, dates to 1903,
and many of the 400 current plant workers have parents or grandparents
who baked cereal and milled flour on the site; and
WHEREAS, Flour-making began at the General Mills property in 1904,
under the Washburn Crosby brand, a name still visible on a soaring chim-
ney stack on the site; the grain elevator is the oldest building still
in use, and a trek to the top offers expansive views of downtown
Buffalo, north toward Niagara Falls and southwest along the Lake Erie
shore; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, General Mills has modernized the plant and
its production process, with computers and automation taking on tasks
previously done by hand, but much remains the same, with grain still
brought by rail or ship from Duluth, Minnesota, and stored in a grain
elevator for later use; and
WHEREAS, Within the facility is one of the last working grain eleva-
tors in Buffalo, standing sentry at a complex that sprawls more than 27
acres and produces iconic cereal brands and Gold Medal flour for sale
across the Northeast and eastern Canada; and
WHEREAS, The facility still brings in much of its grain by ship, and
it still mills flour and bakes cereal in a process with roots in
Buffalo's heyday as a grain market and bustling industrial port; and
WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to excellence,
employees of the plant take pride in ensuring that each and every time a
customer gets a bowl of Cheerios from Buffalo, it is perfect; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to the Buffalo community, General Mills is a
major donor to the Food Bank of Western New York, contributing 1,000
cases of cereal each month; and
WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 75-year history, the General Mills
cereal and flour plant has demonstrated continuous service to the resi-
dents and communities which it serves; and
WHEREAS, The success of the General Mills cereal and flour plant of
Buffalo, New York, is in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impres-
sive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard

of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the commu-
nity it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the General Mills cereal and flour plant's contributions to the
local and State economies, and extends its highest commendation to this
corporate enterprise, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling success it has enjoyed thus far; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the production of Cheerios in
Buffalo, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the General Mills cereal and flour plant, Buffalo, New York.