O'Mara: Finger Lakes Cheese Festival on Saturday great chance to support local agriculture, tourism

Odessa, N.Y., July 26—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today reminded area residents that the 8th Annual Finger Lakes Cheese Festival takes place this Saturday, July 27, at Sunset View Creamery in Odessa, Schuyler County.

"The Finger Lakes Cheese Festival offers a great opportunity to sample a few locally made cheeses and help bring attention to an important sector of New York State’s agricultural industry,” said O’Mara.  “Cheese making has long played an important role in so many upstate New York communities, including Schuyler County.  The great news is that it’s still going strong and has an exciting and promising future.  The Festival also features regional wineries, breweries, and cideries, along with many other homegrown and homemade products.”

Watch more on WETM-TV, "Gearing up for the 8th Annual Finger Lakes Cheese Festival"

O’Mara also took the occasion of this year’s festival to recall his own family’s history in New York State cheese making.  O’Mara’s grandfather, John, was a cheese maker and operated the Colosse Cheese Factory in Oswego County in the early 20th Century.  The senator’s father, also named John, grew up working in the factory throughout his high school and college years.  Colosse Cheese is still produced and sold in central New York, but the O’Mara family is no longer involved in the business.

Sunset View Creamery is a Farmstead & Artisan Cheese Production Facility operated as part of Hoffman Dairy, a century farm located in Odessa, New York, just south of Watkins Glen. Fourth and fifth generation Hoffmans operate the farm and all the milk used in their cheese making comes from their predominantly Holstein herd.  

Two years ago, O'Mara honored Carmella Hoffman, Owner and Operator of Sunset View Creamery and a driving force behind the Finger Lakes Cheese Alliance, as a New York State Senate 2017 "Woman of Distinction." 

O'Mara said, "Carmella exemplifies the commitment and quality of Finger Lakes agriculture.  She stands for all of our regional producers making enormous contributions to the overall strength and success of New York State’s leading agricultural industry.  Thanks to Carmella and the Finger Lakes Cheese Alliance, it’s still going strong and has an exciting and promising future.  It was truly an honor for me to have this opportunity in 2017 to have the New York State Senate pay tribute to Carmella as a ‘Woman of Distinction.’”

For more information on other local cheese makers, including more details on tomorrow’s Finger Lakes Cheese Festival and other upcoming events, visit the Finger Lakes Cheese Alliance online at www.flxcheese.com.  

Tomorrow's Festival begins at 10:00 a.m.