(9/8/12 – Utica, NY)
Tourism and Agriculture officials of the Central New York Region including Broome, Chenango, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties have collaborated on the development of a “Buy Local” campaign. Today we proudly announce the launch and implementation of CNY Fresh, the Flavors of Central New York.
Oneida County and Oneida County Tourism are the lead entities on the project. Oneida County Tourism received a grant for $18,550.00 from the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets for the development of branding campaign and implementation of a marketing campaign with collaboration from tourism and agriculture professionals from each of the other counties. ABC Creative Group, agency of record for the Central New York Vacation Region, has provided creative design services for the brand and brand message as well as technical assistance and execution of the marketing plan.
Kelly Blazosky, President of Oneida County Tourism, stated “This grant has afforded the region the opportunity to create the CNY Fresh brand and initiate phase one of a buy local campaign with an emphasis on the prime fall season. CNYFresh.com will be a regional resource for the promotion of locally produced foods as well as a tool to stimulate agri-tourism visitation to Central New York destinations.”
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., said, “Agriculture is a major part of Oneida County’s history and its economy. Our growers and producers are dedicated to quality, and this project allows them to have expanded Internet access to market their products and reach out to consumers. I commend Oneida County Tourism for its efforts to reach out to neighboring counties and develop a regional partnership that will enhance the future of agriculture in Oneida County and also help farmers increase revenue.”
Online advertising will include feeder markets for the CNY Region as well as the utilization of the Ad Network to geo-target and behavior-target potential visitors. For the launch of the new brand and to build awareness 4,000 small market bags are being distributed to farmers’ markets across the region along with 8,000 brand labels for specialty crop producers to utilize. CNYFresh.com will house a searchable database of locally produced foods, farm markets, and agri-tourism experiences available across the 8-county region.
Martin Broccoli, Ag Economic Development Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, has been a partner in the project from the initial grant application process. He added further support by stating, “Central New York offers an abundance of fresh, healthy food, and late summer and early fall are a wonderful time to celebrate that. We’re becoming known as a region where people can get back in touch with farming and where their food comes from. The CNY Fresh branding program is a great help in promoting that identity.”
Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) said, “In recent years, agribusinesses have taken on all shapes and sizes – large dairy farms, small alpaca ranches, roadside vegetable stands – encouraging the use of their products through CNY Fresh will help promote the best our region has to offer and boost the local economy.”
The CNY Fresh campaign reflects the region’s geography, agricultural production, local cultural identity and other unique attributes of the region. The overall objectives of the campaign are to foster increased consumer awareness and recognition of locally produced foods and agricultural products leading to increased sales and economic development within the Central New York region.
Contact:
Kelly Blazosky, President
Oneida County Tourism
315-724-7221
kelly@oneidacountytourism.com