Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Rochester, NY
The Greater Rochester, NY Region offers a host of resources for food and beverage companies. The combination of rich, fertile land with access to 7% of the world's fresh water supply gives the Rochester Region an incredible supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, and wine.
Dairy Supply: New York is the fourth largest milk producing state in the U.S. The Rochester Region is the largest milk producing region in New York. This abundant milk supply was one of the reasons Alpina Foods chose to expand in our region.
World-class Wines: Rochester's Finger Lakes Region is New York's largest wine-producing region, accounting for 85% of the state's total production. It's also home to more than 100 wineries, many of which are earning international awards.
Proximity to Major Markets: Rochester is conveniently located within 500 miles of one-third of the U.S. and Canadian population. This puts us close to major markets without major market costs.
We are near Interstate 90, which provides easy highway access and distribution of goods. In addition, commercial rail service is available through three Class 1 carriers: CSX, Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific. The routes handle up to 60 trains per day.
There are more than 100 food and beverage manufacturing companies in the Rochester Region including companies such as:
Key Rochester, NY Food and Beverage industry facts:
- The Greater Rochester Region has millions of gallons per day in excess water capacity. Companies do not face water rationing or water rights fees. Monroe County Water Authority has 12 million gallons a day of excess water capacity. Eastman Business Park, one of our industrial sites, has 25 million gallons per day excess capacity of industrial water that is equivalent in quality to potable water. They are able to treat this same amount of water at their waste water treatment facility.
- The region has more than 5,000 employed in the food manufacturing sector. In the beverage sector Rochester employs almost 1,200. (source: 1st Quarter 2010 average employment, New York State Department of Labor)
- The Rochester Region is #1 in New York State in sales of all food crops, milk and other animal products
- New York State is the second largest milk producing state in the nation. The Greater Rochester, NY Region is the largest milk producing region in New York State. (source: New York State Department of Agriculture)
- New York State is the nation's second largest wine producer and third biggest grape grower. (source: MKF Research, 2005)
- With more than 100 vineyards throughout the region producing world class wines, the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region ranks 1st in New York State for wine production. (source: Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance)
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Did You Know?
7% of the world's fresh water is in our region thanks in part to close proximity to Lake Ontario. Unlike other areas of the country facing droughts, Rochester has access to 7% of the world's fresh water. Companies do not face water rationing or water rights fees in the Rochester Region.
Wegmans Food Markets, headquartered in Rochester, NY, ranks fourth on Fortune magazine's list of "100 Best Companies To Work For in America." It is the fifteenth consecutive year Wegmans has made Fortune's Top 100 list. (source: Fortune Magazine, January, 2012)
We're home to Constellation Brands, the largest wine company in the world, which produces nearly 9 million cases of wine in New York each year.
Tim Hortons, the Canadian quick-service restaurant franchise, roasts all of its coffee in the Rochester area. This roasting supports the two billion cups of Tim Hortons coffee are served annually throughout North America. This volume is second only to Starbucks.
The New York Wine and Culinary Center opened in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region to serve as a gateway to New York's food, wine, and agriculture attractions.