Assembly Resolution No. 300

BY: M. of A. Barrett

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 15-31, 2021, as Cider Week in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set aside to promote and appreciate New York
State's natural resources which benefit the lives of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 15-31, 2021, as
Cider Week in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Cider Week in New York brings people together and creates
connections to celebrate and promote New York cider in an exciting way;
in 2021, Cider Week will be observed with a myriad of events throughout
the entire state including two Cider Week festivals with the first held
in the spring from May 15-31, 2021, and the second held in the fall from
October 2-17, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Cider Week New York 2021 will feature 37 of New York's
finest cider producers and will include a hybrid mix of both virtual and
in-person events including special flights, virtual tastings, local
events, panels, and dinners where individuals can be kept safe and
appropriately socially distanced; and

WHEREAS, Directly tied to New York's agricultural cash crop of
apples, cider in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of
over 450% over the past 10 years and now has a $1.6 billion economic
impact to the State's economy; with over 140 producers making over five
million gallons of cider every year, New York continues to rank first in
the country for the number of cider producers; and

WHEREAS, The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, a
non-profit organization serving food and farming changemakers from New
York's Hudson Valley and beyond, launched the inaugural Cider Week in
2010 as an outcome of a travel exchange between French and American
cider producers; and

WHEREAS, Distinctive products like hard cider evoke a local food
culture and sense of place that is closely tied to agriculture in
addition to garnering more profit for farmers; recognizing these
opportunities while addressing the still-real obstacles faced by our
farming community, Glynwood's goal was to foster a cider market in the
Hudson Valley as the linchpin in a chain of positive social,
environmental, economic and community benefits; and

WHEREAS, After over 10 years of successful growth, Cider Weeks in
New York are now a production of the New York Cider Association, and
continue to cultivate an appreciation for New York's orchard-based cider
by showcasing New York cider's diversity, food-friendliness, and
excellent quality in cider production; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional natural resource and its contributions to
the local and State economies; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 15-31, 2021, as
Cider Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.