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NYRA to celebrate New York agriculture during Taste NY: Foods at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna / Mark Bardack

Food edition of Taste NY series will offer New York-made products for sampling and purchase in Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion

New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will welcome racing fans to explore the wide variety of products made in New York State during Taste NY: Foods at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 31.

The Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion will feature a lively on-track market of numerous food vendors offering products made exclusively in the Empire State, including crackers, granola, preserves, gelato, olive oil and dessert cakes. Fans will be able to sample and purchase products from the participating vendors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We are excited to host some of our state's top food producers and provide them with a platform to showcase their delicious products for Saratoga fans," said NYRA CEO & President Dave O'Rourke. "Taste NY: Foods is a great way for visitors to discover the wide array of world-class goods being produced right here in New York."

The Taste NY: Foods market will feature products made by: Gatherer's Granola in Rotterdam; Nothing Bundt Cakes in Albany; Pixies Preserves in Waterford; Putnam Market in Saratoga Springs; Saratoga Crackers in Middle Grove; Saratoga Gelato in Saratoga Springs; Saratoga Olive Oil in Saratoga Springs; Saratoga Tea and Honey in Saratoga Springs; and Whalen's Horseradish in Galway.

"We enjoy participating in Taste NY events because we are able to market our product to a variety of new people in a fun, interactive environment," said Melissa Gleason, owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes, one of the participating vendors. "We also enjoy seeing familiar faces when we are there."

The Food Day event is one element of the Taste NY at Saratoga series, which is held in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The series also features an array of New York wines and spirits for sampling every Thursday of the meet; and a selection of New York craft beer and cider on Fridays. Both events are held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Samples are available in increments of five for $5. Must be 21 years or older to participate.

The 2019 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Racing at Saratoga is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.