SENATOR NOZZOLIO CITES IMPORTANCE TO THE FINGER LAKES REGION OF STATE INVESTMENT FOR CORNELL’S FOOD VENTURE CENTER

Senator Michael Nozzolio today cited the importance to the Finger Lakes region of New York State’s investment of $7 million for Cornell University’s Food Venture Center at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. The funding will be directed for the experimentation and development of new applied research techniques for food and beverage processing and production. 

“As a staunch supporter of the New York State Food Venture Center, I am extremely pleased our work has been successful and the Center in Geneva will receive a total of $7 million in state funding to expand research, development and food processing initiatives,” Senator Nozzolio continued.  “These funds also build on the momentum created earlier this fall with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Hiperbaric High Pressure Processing (HPP) machine at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Both funding sources have put the Station, Venture Center and the Finger Lakes region at the forefront of new technologies and will be a much needed boost to farmers, food processors and other job creators for our local and State economy.”

Senator Nozzolio has been a strong advocate for Cornell University, the Experiment Station, and the agriculture industry.  Last month, the Senator announced he secured $600,000 in state funding for the purchase and installation of a Hiperbaric High Pressure Processing (HPP) machine, the first of its kind in the Nation, for the Experiment Station which will allow the Station to conduct transformational research, instruction and outreach that will help expand jobs in food processing, and provide more markets for farmers not only in the Finger Lakes area, but statewide. The Hiperbaric machine is a non-thermal alternative to thermal pasteurization that extends the shelf life of food products, while maintaining nutrient and flavor quality.

“The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences applauds Governor Cuomo’s tremendous commitment, and that of Senator Nozzolio in particular, to our New York State Agricultural Experiment Station facility as a leader in food safety, food processing and food entrepreneurship,” said Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “The state’s investment will keep Cornell at the cutting-edge of providing ‘knowledge with public purpose’ to farmers, food manufacturers and entrepreneurs throughout New York and beyond.”

Senator Nozzolio has also previously secured $4.7 million in New York State funding for the reconstruction of over 21,000 square feet of greenhouse and research facilities at the Experiment Station. This expansion will create local jobs and contribute greatly to the region’s reputation of being a leader in the industry. The funding is also being used to modernize the Food and Beverage Processing Pilot Plant, the cornerstone facility in which the Food Venture Center conducts product and business development operations. The Center annually serves over 3,000 companies, many of which are startup food processing businesses.

 “On behalf of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, I’d like to thank Senator Nozzolio for his continued support of the critical work done here in Geneva,” said Susan Brown, the Goichman Family Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. “The research and extension work done here at the Food Venture Center and other facilities is crucial to the economic vitality of the Finger Lakes region and the state, and is an invaluable investment.”

“We are fortunate here in the Finger Lakes to be home to one of the world’s premier agricultural research centers.  The Hiperbaric machine was a boost for our region and State’s food and beverage businesses.  This additional funding continues the job growth in our wineries, craft breweries, and other food growing and processing businesses, and greatly adds to our recent successes of making the Finger Lakes the epicenter of the agriculture industry,” concluded Senator Nozzolio.

Continuing his commitment to the agriculture industry in the Finger Lakes Region, Senator Nozzolio will host a “New York Loves Food” conference along with the New York State Experiment Station, Senator Patty Ritchie, Assemblyman William Magee, and representatives of the food processing and farm industries to discuss ways to expand our rapidly changing food industry and its markets. Both the New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Economic Development are scheduled to speak at the conference.  The conference will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. in Jordan Hall at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. If you would like to register for the Conference, please click HERE. For further information, please contact Senator Nozzolio’s office at 315-568-9816 or 518-455-2366.